American Cynicism Do Americans participate in government? Do Americans participate in social groups? How do the American people feel towards their government? What are some common explanations for American cynicism towards and disinterest in their own government?

Do Americans participate in government? Voting –On average, voter turnout has been on the decline since the 1960’s Other forms of political participation –Most evidence suggest that Americans still engage in forms of participation other than voting Volunteering Monetary donations Protesting Letter writing

Explanations for Low Voter Turnout Voter apathy (people do not believe that their vote matters) Candidates are increasingly similar (Ventura’s argument) Voter registration difficult Too many elections Election day is problematic (especially with two income families)

Do Americans participate in social groups? Putnam – No –Bowling Alone Social capital is on the decline Ladd – Yes –Ladd Report Putnam’s evidence is not showing the entire picture Which of them is correct?

Putnam’s Findings Decline of Social Capital? –Putnam finds that in terms of social groups, Americans are participating at much lower rates –For example: Bowling leagues, bridge clubs PTA’s Labor unions Church groups Local branches of interest groups

Putnam’s Explanations Putnam’s explanations for the decline in group membership –Pressures of time and money (<10%) Especially for two income families –Suburban sprawl (~10%) People no longer live as close to each other, and no longer have the same neighborhood bonds –Television and other electronic entertainment (~25%) Television and the internet have provided people with alternatives to group participation –Generational change (~50%) Differences between the “Greatest Generation” and younger generations

Ladd Report Group membership is not on the decline –While Putnam provides evidence that seems to show that Americans are not participating as much as in previous decades, this is not an accurate picture –While membership in some groups are on the decline, membership in similar groups is on the rise (PTA vs. PTO)

Public Opinion Polls: Conducting large, national surveys/polls allows us to gauge what Americans think about a variety of issues –What is the most important problem facing the nation? –Presidential approval –Support for specific issues (war, tax cuts, etc.) –Levels of trust in government Some polls are unscientific –What makes a poll legitimate?

Trends in Political Trust

NES Index: –"How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right-- just about always, most of the time or only some of the time?" –"Do you think that quite a few of the people running the government are crooked, not very many are, or do you think hardly any of them are crooked? –"Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all the people?"

Explaining Declining Levels of Trust National events have shattered the image of a perfect government –U2 Incident –Vietnam –Watergate –Iran-Contra –Clinton scandals

Other Explanations: Mills – The Power Elite –Many have the perception that regardless of what they do, most of the power is held by a select few Stealth Democracy –Americans do not want to be bothered with the happenings of government Citizens only want to know that they have the power to voice their disapproval if things get out of hand