1. Political Beliefs and Behaviors

2. What’s your political belief?
Survey given to year olds
One day the President was driving his car to a meeting. Because he was late, he was driving very fast. The police stopped the car. (Finish the story)
Different countries answer differently
England – Queen would be released
France – President would be excused
US – President would get a ticket like everyone else

3. Political Socialization
Process by which people develop their political beliefs
Factors that influence a person’s opinion

4. Acquisition of Political Knowledge and Opinions in the Socialization Process
Timeline
Preschool (1-4)
Ideas of authority and rules
Elementary school (5-10)
Concept of government as an institution
Portrayal of political figures as honest and benevolent
Adolescence (11-18)
Beginning of identification with a political party
Ability to think of politics in the abstract as liberal or conservative
Adulthood (18+)
Generally no change in basic political beliefs
Open concern for jobs and personal welfare
Responsible for continuity of US politics

5. Family #1 influence of political attitude
Very strong correlation for Political Party support
Strongest correlation if both parents share same ideology
BUT, studies show there is significant genetic component.

7. Education
Schools
Teach about the organization of society and government
Teach compliance to rules and authority
Teach patriotism
Tendency of college experience to liberalize views
Used to be that College educated voted conservative – looser correlation now

9. Gender More men support military – still?
More women consider sexual harassment a serious problem, focus on womens’ issues
Since ’60s, women vote Dem more than men, and vice versa
Not as significant of an indicator as marriage (married vs. unmarried)

10. Religion
Political beliefs influenced by church teachings and social interactions at places of worship.
Protestants are more conservative on economic matters than Catholics or Jews
Jews tend to be liberal on economic and social issues than Catholics or Protestants
Catholics tend to be more liberal on economic issues than they are on social issues (Catholics becoming more conservative – but in 2016 large # of Catholics predicted to vote Democrat).
Weighing priorities:
Abolish Roe v Wade
Support candidate more interested in social justice

11. Race and Ethnicity
African Americans – 90% Democrats – will turnout in 2016 come close to 2008 or 2012?
Hispanic Americans – tend to affiliate with Democrats, but less likely than African Americans
Asian Americans – less liberal than Hispanic Americans or African Americans, but still consistently vote Democrat
White, more divided, fluctuates by election

12. Differences in Political Ideology
Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
Undecided
Sex
Male
Female
39% 31
23% 24
20% 22
18% 23
Race
White
Black
Asian
Hispanic 39 18 24 21 21 22 17 39 20 26 36 18
This table displays how ideology is correlated to sex, race, age, religion, education, and political party. In which factors do you see the strongest and weakest correlations, and how might you account for that? 22 25 20 32
SOURCE: Center for Political Studies, University of Michigan, 2008, American National Election Study Guide to Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior.

13. Social Class “Blue collar” (Laborer) typically Democrat
Labor unions
Trade agreements
Changing affiliations in 2016
“White collar” (Businessmen) typically Republican
Relationship is becoming less clear

14. Geographic Region East and West Coasts – more liberal
Mid-West – more conservative
Urban - liberal
South – s - Democrat “Solid South” but today they are primarily social conservatives
The “Southern Strategy”
White Southerner always less liberal

15. Political Ideology
Coherent set of values and beliefs about public policy
Changes over time for all people
Life events can alter a person’s ideology…
Liberal and conservative mean different things at different time periods

17. How ideological are Americans?
1950 study – “The American Voter”
4 basic types of voter
Ideologues – 12% of people connect their opinions to party lines
Democratic or Republican “ballot”
Group Benefits Voter – 42% of people connect their opinion to their “group”. (labor union, interest group, class, race)

18. How ideological are Americans?
3. Nature of the times voter – 24% of the people linked good or bad times to the party in control and vote the opposite (usually based on economics) – or “single issue” voters
4. No Issue Content – 22% of the people could give no reason

20. “Neo-Cons” Neo-Conservatives Low tax, pro-economic growth
Ordered approach to domestic issues
Traditional values – pro-life, against gay marriage, support death penalty
Expansive foreign policy
Counter global terrorism – “war on terror”
Expensive
Had been ascendant, now viewed suspiciously as “establishment”