1. UNIT II- Political Beliefs

2. Political culture is an overall set of values widely shared within a society. Political culture is an overall set of values widely shared within a society. For example, there is agreement among many ethnic groups about the value of equality. For example, there is agreement among many ethnic groups about the value of equality. Public Opinion is the distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues Public Opinion is the distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues

4. Elements of the American view of the Political System 1. Liberty 2. Equality 3. Democracy 4. Civic duty 5. Individual responsibility “American creed”- Belief in equality of opportunity “American creed”- Belief in equality of opportunity

5. Political Socialization “the process through which and individual acquires [their] particular political orientation” “the process through which and individual acquires [their] particular political orientation” Orientation grows firmer with age Orientation grows firmer with age The Process of Political Socialization The Process of Political Socialization The Family The Mass Media Generation Gap School better-educated citizens are more likely to vote and are more knowledgeable about politics and policy. Political Learning over a Lifetime- Aging increases political participation and strength of party attachment. (see figure 6.3)

11. Consequences of the Decline in Support? 1. People are more likely to protest government’s policies 2. There is a significant decline in voting 3. An increased dependence on third-party identifiers who feel alienated from the two major political parties. 4. More non-conventional participation

12. Political Efficacy in the United States Definition: citizen’s capacity to understand and influence political events Definition: citizen’s capacity to understand and influence political events Political efficacy has two parts Political efficacy has two parts 1. Internal efficacy- Confidence in one’s ability to understand and influence events 2. External efficacy- Belief that system will respond to citizens Not shaped by particular events Not shaped by particular events Declined steadily since the 1960s Declined steadily since the 1960s Americans seem to believe that government is becoming too big to respond to individual preferences Americans seem to believe that government is becoming too big to respond to individual preferences Comparison: efficacy is still much higher among Americans than among Europeans Comparison: efficacy is still much higher among Americans than among Europeans

14. The Role of Polls in American Democracy Polls help politicians detect public preferences. Polls help politicians detect public preferences. But critics say polls make politicians think more about following than leading public, even though politicians do not track opinion to make policy But critics say polls make politicians think more about following than leading public, even though politicians do not track opinion to make policy Polls may distort election process Polls may distort election process Exit Polls Exit Polls May discourage people from voting May discourage people from voting 2000 presidential election in Florida 2000 presidential election in Florida

15. Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information How Polls Are Conducted How Polls Are Conducted Sample: a small proportion of people who are chosen in a survey to be representative of the whole Sample: a small proportion of people who are chosen in a survey to be representative of the whole Random Sampling: the key technique employed by sophisticated survey researchers which operates on the principle that everyone should have an equal probability of being selected for the sample Random Sampling: the key technique employed by sophisticated survey researchers which operates on the principle that everyone should have an equal probability of being selected for the sample Sampling Error: the level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll Sampling Error: the level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll

16. Public Opinion Polling Case Study:1936 Literary Digest Poll Case Study:1936 Literary Digest Poll Predicts Alf Landon will win in 1936, 57% to 43%. Predicts Alf Landon will win in 1936, 57% to 43%. Literary Digest had been right in every previous election. Literary Digest had been right in every previous election.... but not this time!... but not this time! Why did it go wrong? Why did it go wrong?

17. What Polls Reveal About Americans’ Political Information Americans don’t know much about politics. Americans don’t know much about politics. Americans may know their basic beliefs but not how that affects policies of the government. Americans may know their basic beliefs but not how that affects policies of the government. Example: Citizenship Quiz Example: Citizenship Quiz

18. Political Ideologies “a set of values a person holds that are reflected in their political views.” (economics, social and moral values) “a set of values a person holds that are reflected in their political views.” (economics, social and moral values) Most Americans identify themselves as liberal or conservative. Most Americans identify themselves as liberal or conservative. Terms have changed over time. Terms have changed over time.

19. Political Ideology Assignment “In your team, create a debate presentation (using Google Slides) between a liberal and a conservative about one of the following topics: “In your team, create a debate presentation (using Google Slides) between a liberal and a conservative about one of the following topics: 1. Health Care 2. Immigration 3. Abortion 4. Gun Control 5. Minimum Wage 6. National Security 7. Social Security 8. Student Choice (see me for approval first ) You must use news sources as part of your evidence. Ex- “In a August 1 st article published by MSNBC, Jeb Bush was quoted as saying “Immigration is encouraged.” (GIVE CITATIONS/LINKS) See rubric with more information!

20. Possible FRQ for Political Beliefs Trust and confidence in government have declined in recent decades. a) Explain how divided government has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government. Be sure to include a definition of divided government in your response. b) Explain how the increased cost of election campaigns has contributed to the decline in trust and confidence in government. c) Explain two specific consequences of the decline in trust and confidence in government for individual political behavior.

21. Political Behaviors

22. Political Participation “ all the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue” “ all the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue” Linkage institutions are the political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. Linkage institutions are the political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. Examples: media, interest groups, political parties Examples: media, interest groups, political parties

23. Forms of Participation 1. Conventional methods: voting, working on a campaign, contacting elected officials 2. Protest 3. Grass roots campaigns encourage citizens to get out and vote. 4. Civil disobedience: a form of political participation that reflects a conscious decision to break a law believed to be immoral and to suffer the consequences. 5. Joining an interest group or political party 6. Donate money to a campaign 7. Community Service- young people’s participation in civic activities has reached all-time highs for those 30 and below.

24. How Citizens Participate

25. Electoral/Non-electoral Political Participation Among Anglo Whites, African Americans, and Latinos

27. Figure 8.3: Nonpolitical Voluntary Activity Among Citizens Sidney Verba et al., Voice and Equality: Civic Volunteerism in American Politics (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1995), 77-79.

28. Table 8.6: Participation Beyond Voting in Fourteen Democracies

29. Voter Turnout Key Questions: What is an average turnout in a Presidential election? In a “mid term” election? Off year? Primary? Closed primary? What types of voters vote in low turnout elections? Key Questions: What is an average turnout in a Presidential election? In a “mid term” election? Off year? Primary? Closed primary? What types of voters vote in low turnout elections? Key Trend: Federal government taken more control of the voter process since Constitution written through registration requirements and suffrage laws. Key Trend: Federal government taken more control of the voter process since Constitution written through registration requirements and suffrage laws. GOOD RULE OF THUMB: “Voting is a matter of habit. The more frequently a person has voted in the past, the most likely they will in the current election.” GOOD RULE OF THUMB: “Voting is a matter of habit. The more frequently a person has voted in the past, the most likely they will in the current election.” What are the implications of this statement? What are the implications of this statement?

32. Voter Participation in Presidential Elections, 1860-2004

33. Obstacles to Voting: Why Don’t People Vote?

34. 1. Voter Registration Absentee Ballots- Absentee Ballots- 2. Single Day, Tuesday Voting 3. Apathy 4. Expansion of suffrage Motor Voter Law (1993) Motor Voter Law (1993) Voter Rights Act of 1965 Voter Rights Act of 1965 5. Greater youthfulness of population and presence of growing number of minorities eligible to vote. 6. Political parties are not as effective as once were in mobilizing voters to get to polls Why? Why? 7. Other issues: Citizenship Citizenship Disfranchisement of certain groups (felons, the mentally incompetent) Disfranchisement of certain groups (felons, the mentally incompetent) Residency Residency Need to show identification Need to show identification Generally have to vote in person Generally have to vote in person Closed primaries Closed primaries *Surprisingly, there is no correlation between distrust of political leaders and not voting.*

35. What causes people to vote? 1. Party Identification (#1 factor in determining who votes) Provide a regular perspective through which voters can view the political world. Provide a regular perspective through which voters can view the political world. 2. Candidates Integrity Integrity Reliability Reliability Competence Competence 3. Policy Easier to do today than 1960’s because media forces candidates to take a stand. Easier to do today than 1960’s because media forces candidates to take a stand. 4. High political efficacy Those who see policy differences among voters are more likely to vote. When major differences exist, the most likely voters will turn out because they feel like they can steer policies by their choices. Those who see policy differences among voters are more likely to vote. When major differences exist, the most likely voters will turn out because they feel like they can steer policies by their choices.

36. Who is more likely to vote? 1. Age- older voter, more likely to vote, but drops off after getting too old. Education: More education = more likely to vote. Most important factor Education: More education = more likely to vote. Most important factor Religious Religious High income High income Race – African American, Hispanic, and Asian (most unrepresented groups of American voters) Race – African American, Hispanic, and Asian (most unrepresented groups of American voters) Gender: Female = more likely to vote Gender: Female = more likely to vote Marital Status: Married = more likely to vote Marital Status: Married = more likely to vote Union Membership: Union member = more likely to vote Union Membership: Union member = more likely to vote Traits are cumulative– possessing several adds up Traits are cumulative– possessing several adds up

38. Possible FRQ from this UNIT In the United States political system, there are several linkage institutions that can connect citizens to government. Elections constitute one such institution. Because of lower voter turnout, elections represent an imperfect method of linking citizens to their government. In the United States political system, there are several linkage institutions that can connect citizens to government. Elections constitute one such institution. Because of lower voter turnout, elections represent an imperfect method of linking citizens to their government. a) Describe how each of the following is related to the likelihood of voting Age Age Education Education b) Identify one current government electoral requirement that decreased voter turnout. Explain how it decreases voter turnout