1. Political Beliefs and Behaviors

2. Public Opinion
The public’s attitudes toward a given government policy vary over time.
Public opinion places boundaries on allowable types of public policy.
Citizens are willing to register opinions on matters outside their expertise.
Governments tend to react to public opinion.

3. The Origins of Political Attitudes
Role of the family
Schooling & information
Ideology
Job (Income)
Race & ethnicity
Religious tradition
Gender
Region

4. Political Ideology
A coherent and consistent set of beliefs about who ought to rule, what principles rulers ought to obey and what policies rulers ought to pursue.
Most citizens display little “ideology”, i.e. liberal, conservative, radical; except for activists.

5. Political Parties
Voluntary associations of people who seek to control the government through common principles based upon peaceful and legal action.

6. Functions of Political Parties
Make policy preferences
Set agendas
Help select candidates for office
Run campaigns
Educate the electorate
Organize the government
One of the access points of special interests and individuals seeking help from the system.

7. Party Coalitions
The Republican Party appeals to rural and suburban dwellers, New Englanders (except Massachusetts), Mid- westerners, Westerners, white collar workers, older voters, WASPs, high income, high educated, the religious right, anti-abortion, conservatives.
The Democratic Party appeals to urban dwellers, African Americans, Jews, *Catholics, other minorities, blue- collar workers, union members, lower educated, lower income, intellectuals, gay rights, women, pro-choice.
Catholics and Southerners used to be Democrats, but are increasingly Republican.

8. Structure and Organization of Political Parties
National Convention
National Committee
National Chairperson
Congressional campaign Committee
State and Local Organization

9. Elections and Campaigns

10. Presidential Elections
Exploration
Announcement/Press Conference
Money, Organization, Strategy and Themes
Primary Elections and caucuses: closed, open and blanket primaries
Nominating Conventions
Campaigning and the General Election
The Electoral College (270 electoral votes needed to win)

11. Voting The Rise of the American Electorate
1789 – white, male property owners
1850 – nearly all white adult males
1870 – 15th amendment, all men over 21
1920 – 19th amendment, all men and women over 21
1971 – all men and women over 18

12. Voter Turnout
Americans vote less, but participate more than people in other countries in other forms of political behavior.
Younger voters are the least likely to vote.
Restrictive laws and the burden of individual registration contribute to low voter turnout.
Americans may be happy with the “system” and less likely to feel the need to vote.

13. The Media Roles of the Media Print – magazines, newspapers
Electronic – cable, satellite, network (“free”), radio, internet
Mass Media
Group Media
Social Media
Reporting the news
Interpreting the news
Influencing public opinion
Setting the political agenda
Socialization
Providing a link between citizens and government

14. Rules Governing the Media
The Federal Communications Commission was established in 1934
Rules relating to ownership, equal access air time, libel, slander
First Amendment protects freedom of the press
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 deregulated the media
“self” censorship

15. Types of Interest Groups
Economic Interest Groups – business groups, trade associations, labor groups, agricultural groups, professional groups
Groups that promote causes – ACLU, National Right to Life Committee, National Rifle Association, Sierra Club
Groups that promote the welfare of certain groups – AARP, NAACP, Christian Coalition
Public Interest Groups – League of Women Voters, Common Cause, MADD

16. Interest Groups
Interest groups are private organizations that try to persuade public officials to respond to the shared attitudes of their members
Interest groups have been viewed with suspicion
James Madison warned against the dangers of “factions” in Federalist # 10
Interest groups raise awareness in public affairs and allow members to achieve a common goal
Represent their members
Provide information to government

17. Techniques of Interest Groups
Influencing public opinion
Propaganda
Lobbying
Influencing elections – campaigning and contributing money through PACs
Litigation