1. Opinion Attitude Public Opinion
Chapter 4: Linking Public Officials to the Public: Public Opinion & Voting
Opinion
Attitude
Public Opinion

2. Political Socialization
Political culture: certain values and traditions transmitted though socialization or politicization.
Formal
Informal
Passive virtues v. Active virtues

3. Politically Relevant Learning
Family
Schools
Peer groups
Mass media
Significant emotional events
Demographic factors

4. Cross Pressure
Cross-pressure hypothesis holds that the behavior of individuals under consistent pressure is different from that of those under cross pressure.
Individuals subject to consistent pressure are more likely to vote a straight ticket/high interest/consistent attitude
Individuals subject to cross pressures are move likely to vote split tickets/low interest/conflicting attitudes.

5. Intensity of Preference
Trustee Representative: acts on the basis of calm deliberation and enlightened self interest
Faction: Stronger reaction/risk

6. Voting & Voters: How well-informed?
Educated
Interest in politics
Consistency
Data is conflicting

7. Anticipated Reactions
Carl Friedrich coined phrase to describe how even uninformed voters exercise some control over elected officials.
Attention to public officials
Polls/Opinion leaders
Examination of potential voters, opposing candidate’s record
Media

8. How Active are American Voters?
Turnout levels
Off-year congressional elections
Presidential = high stimulus
Other elections = low stimulus
Coat tail effect

9. American Voters Right to vote --- states’ roles
Colonial times – white male property owners
Disenfranchised
Literacy tests ended with The Voting Rights Act of 1965

10. American Voters 1920– 19th Amendment: Women can vote
1971– 26th Amendment: 18 year olds can vote
State laws and regulations still exist
(example: felons and voting rights)

11. Demographics Socioeconomic status (SES) Gender Race Religion Ethnicity
Age

12. Who Votes?
See Table 4.4
Whites are more likely to register and vote than blacks are.
Blacks are more likely to register and vote than Hispanics are.
Differences in registration and turnout between men and women is slight.
18-20 years olds are least likely to show up at the polls– Numbers highest after 35.

13. Why Do Americans Choose not to vote?
Weather
Peers
Candidate choice
Apathy
Frustration
Alienation
Not registered
Too busy
Cost-benefit analysis

14. Why Should Americans Vote?
A right
Obligation
Promote your ideals
Offset ideals you dislike
Express views
“Vote or Shut Up”
*****Local elections can be very close*****

15. 1993 Motor-Voter Law
Citizens can register when they get driver’s license
Registration forms available at military recruitment offices
Permits registration by mail
Allows citizens to register at welfare and disability offices

16. Chapter 5: Collective Links to Public Officials
Political Parties: U.S. has week 2-party system
Democrats
Republicans

17. Liberals v. Conservatives
Favor Change
Advocate Equality
Social services

18. Liberals v. Conservatives
Promote traditional values
Advocate freedom from regulation
Limited Social role
Smaller government

19. Independents Dealignment? Message?
1/3 vote for Democrats, 1/3 vote for Republicans, rest unpredictable
Tend to skew younger

20. Voting Split-ticket voting Cross-cutting political issues
Traditional political issues

21. Party Organization/Function
Recruit Candidates
Train & Assist candidates
Raise $ (soft v. direct)
Attract voters—phone banks, mailings, grassroots campaigns

22. Party Organization/Function
Streamline process
Link party to people to government
Take positions on issues (label=cue)
Conflict resolution
Interest representation

23. Party Structure National Party Conventions Every 4 years
Approve positions/platforms
Make rules

24. National Committees Day-to-day operations Win presidency
National Party chair (often appt’d by Presidential nominee)
Senatorial Campaign Committee
Congressional Campaign Committee

25. State & Local Political Party Organizations
State Chair
State Laws regulate
County Committee
Precinct Committee

26. Why US has 2-party system?
Flexibility of current parties with times
Winner v. proportional representation
Campaign finance law
Access to ballots

27. Interest Groups
Economic
Ideological
Public
Government

29. Effectiveness of Interest Groups
Positions
Competition
Interest in subject matter
Size
Geography
$$$
Prestige
Motivation levels
Duration of existence
Objectives
ORGANIZATION

30. How do interest groups participate?
Campaign $$$
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Public Relations
Influence on Appts.
Lobbying