1. Public Opinion and Political Participation
Ap us government and politics
review

2. Political Terms Political Elite Political Efficacy Political Ideology
Political Socialization
Political Activist

3. Political Socialization and Family
Young men and women identify with family political ideology—91%
60% as people mature
Proportion of adamant Democrats & Republicans has declined since the 1950s—Why?
• 1952: 22% said they were adamant Demo. • 1952: 13% said they were adamant Rep. • 1976: Demo. 15% • 1976: Rep. 9%

4. Political Dealignment
Cause of Dealignment
Party leaders are weaker
Young electorate
Weak Party Leaders
More party members are crossing party lines; unclear message for electorate—disillusionment
Growth of independents and moderates
Campaign finance laws and Interest groups
Media coverage
Union Movement getting weaker
Religious Observance

5. Political Socialization and Education
Education—Trends: More number of years of school=Greater Liberalism
Liberal scale • Graduates students > Senior > freshmen • Social Science Majors > Science Majors
Why? Exposure to liberal environment:
Classroom materials: Textbooks, readings, newspapers are written by cultural elite who are liberal
Concentration of youths
Social movements
Liberal professors—intellectualism forces people to think of all the possibilities—NEW AND UNPOPULAR; often skeptical and critical of conventional thought

6. Political Socialization and Gender
Gender Gap—difference between men and women’s political identification
Difference
Men have become increasingly Republican since the 1960s—70s
Women have remained unchanged
Abortion
Differ on social issues • Welfare and child services • Death Penalty • Gun Control • Size of Government • Sexual harassment

7. Political Socialization: Race/Ethnicity
Race/Ethnicity and Trends
(Wilson Text 7th ed. pg. 126 & Sabato Text pg. 397)
African Americans
Caucasians
Hispanics
Asians

8. Political Socialization and Religion
White Protestants—Conservative on both economic and social issues Catholics—more liberal on economic issues than Protestants; share conservative stance on social issues: • Abortion • Contraception • Gay Rights • Sex before Marriage Judaism • More liberal on social and economic policies compared to Catholics & Protestants • Weakening, why? More social status • Is a poor protestant more likely to favor liberal or conservative policies and why?

9. Political Socialization—Age & Socioeconomic Status
Youth, Middle Age v. Elderly
Socio-economic status
Wealthy v. Poor

10. Political Socialization and Region

11. Political Socialization and Region Cont’d
Northeast
West
Northern Midwest
Southern Midwest
South
Where are the Battleground States?

12. Voter Turnout Eligible Voters v. Registered Voters Stats:
General Presidential Elections
Midterm Elections
Gubernatorial Elections
Presidential Primaries
Presidential Caucus

13. Factors Influencing Voter Turnout
Education
Income and Socio-economic Status
Age
Religion—Jews and Catholics voter more than Protestants
Gender
Race/Ethnicity
African Americans
Hispanics
Caucasians

14. Cause of Low Voter Turnout
Voter Registration (ND is the exception)
Decline in Political Efficacy
Mistrust, Corruption and Apathy
Non-competitive elections
No viable Minor Parties/Two-Party System—Clothespin Vote
Weakening of Political Parties and Party Leaders
Low Voter Turnout is apparent and NOT REAL

15. Oppressed Groups Property Requirement Women Residents of Washington DC
18-20 Year olds
African Americans
15th Amendment
15th Amendments Circumvention
Poll Taxes
Grandfather Clause
White Primary
Literacy Tests