An Opinionated Public Americans possess a wide range of opinions on political matters. This is particularly true for salient issues. Salient issues are those issues that are important to that individual. problem.aspx

Government and Public Opinion All governments attempt to influence, manipulate, or manage their citizens’ beliefs. Nationalism and encouraging participation allow citizens to buy into the system.

Private Groups and Public Opinion Interest groups also attempt to mobilize the public to support their own issues and to put pressure on government officials.

Measuring Public Opinion Constructing Public Opinion from Surveys Public Opinion, Political Knowledge, and the Importance of Ignorance

Constructing Public Opinion from Surveys Public opinion polls are scientific instruments for measuring public opinion. To be accurate, the poll must be based on a representative sample of the population. The validity of the poll depends on the sampling procedure used. Straw polls - not representative polls

Problems with Polls The good citizen response The bandwagon effect Inconsistent responses Push polls Survey wording

Question Differences

Resolved Issues in Polling Quota Samples Stratified Samples Margin of Error

Electoral Participation Political Participation -Political activities whose purpose is to support and influence those within government. -Simplest most common is voting -Turn out low in US % % % % % % % %

Forms of Political Participation Efficacy - ability to produce results –Internal political efficacy - feeling that you have the skills to influence policy –External political efficacy - feeling government is responsive to your input Sense of Duty - good citizens get involved in politics. Conventional participation - legal Unconventional participation - unusual and may be illegal

Modes of Participation Voters - minimal, easiest 50% Contactors - contact officials 25% Campaigners - volunteer time 15% Community activists - group joiners 20% Protesters - use legal and illegal methods –marched, rallies, boycotts 5% –civil disobedience –political terrorism Complete activists - engage in all forms of participation 11%

Rational Actor Model Weighing cost of participating against the benefits received - voting. Collective efforts can reduce costs. Minority groups uses of collective protest to have their concerns heard can be an example of a rational approach to participation. Electoral Vote Poll

Political Trust Which social/governmental institutions do Americans Trust - –1 Military 90% –2 Big Business 82% –3 Civil Servants 80% –4 Church/Mosque/Temple 74% –5 Labor Unions 72% –6 TV News 68% –7 Congress 67% –8 Press 62%