Opinions and Politics

Public Opinion & Public Policy Public Opinion – the attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics Public Policy – All of the many goals that a government pursues in all the many areas of human affairs (school, warfare, trade) If politicians want to be re-elected, they make public policy based on public opinion as much as possible

Public Opinion There are many Publics of people Publics refer to a group of people who share a common attitude on a matter Membership of groups shift from topic to topic Public opinion is specific to attitudes on Public Affairs Politics Public issues Legislation Enforcement

Public Opinions Opinions are formed through a combination of differing agents of socialization Family School Media Peers Opinion Leaders History

Measuring Public Opinion Public opinion polls Devices that attempt to collect information about people’s attitudes on public affairs Straw polls Ask huge numbers the same question Not scientific Not reliable because the sample group is too narrow

Measuring Public Opinion Public opinion polls Devices that attempt to collect information about people’s attitudes on public affairs Scientific polling Five step process Define the population (group) you want to study Construct a sample of about 1,500 people (yeah, that small works!) Create carefully worded questions Interview the sample group Analyze the findings Fairly reliable at the national level

Political Parties Linking People to Politics The goal of political parties is to try to influence government through getting members elected to office There are two strong political parties in the USA Democrats Left wing Liberal Republicans Right wing Conservative Most people in the USA are MODERATES; in between far left wing and far right wing

Political Parties Linking People to Politics There are four reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA History Not mentioned in the Constitution Started almost immediately after Constitution was signed Tend to moderate, not alienate Tradition It is important because it’s always been important Distrust of a third party

Political Parties Linking People to Politics There are four reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA Electoral System Winner take all system Favors the major players Third party vote is “wasted vote” Close political ideology No large communist element No large fascist element Mostly all center-right republican element

Political Parties Linking People to Politics There are five basic activities parties do Nominating candidates Informing and Activating members Campaigning Getting out the vote! “Bonding” Agent Guaranteeing the actions of elected officials Makes sure they “do the right thing” Governing Organization of legislatures to pass the “right” laws Watchdog Pointing out the mistakes of the other party

Elections Linking People to Politics Claiming a Mandate When a political party wins a lot of the elections When an individual wins by a lot of points Politicians claim that the people DEMAND that they carry out their versions of public policy

Elections Linking People to Politics Cool things other states have that PA doesn’t Initiative The PEOPLE can introduce laws, not just the legislature Referendum The PEOPLE can pass laws, not just the legislature Recall The people can demand new elections to get rid of elected politicians, not just wait until the next election day

Elections Linking People to Politics Voter turnout in USA is low compared to most other democratic nations Mostly because of lack of interest Even lower in the years we don’t elect a president People get disappointed in politics Nothing changes Only the rich can afford to run for office

Mass Media Linking People to Politics Mass Media – is communication that reaches a large audience. This includes: television, radio, advertising, movies Goals of the mass media Inform the public Entertain the public (so they buy the medium and the company makes money) the Internet, newspapers, magazines and so forth.

Mass Media Linking People to Politics Media play large roles in Setting public agenda What the public feels is a big problem that needs immediate attention Focus on certain news items, downplay others Doesn’t often change opinions on the solutions to the problems Doesn’t often change opinions on voting More informed people tend to not be influenced as much

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics Interest Group – an organization which tries to influence public policy by influencing those people who get elected to office, NOT by getting themselves elected to office

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics Interest Groups are different than political parties IG do NOT nominate candidates – they support them IG are concerned with influencing policy, not controlling government IG have a narrow focus on issues Private organizations

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics Types Economic Business groups Labor groups (Special) Issue-oriented Devoted to a special cause Examples Saving endangered species Rights to use medical marijuana Rights to own guns

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics Types Public Interest Special interests of the members To benefit all people Political Action Committees (PACs) Private interest groups Raise money To influence the results of elections

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics Types Group Organizations Segments of the population Examples AARP (retired people) Veterans groups

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics Working the system Lobbyists People who try to persuade politicians to favor their cause Most are professionals Try to influence politicians At all levels of government National State All branches of government Legislative Executive Judicial