1. Chapter 5 The American Political Landscape

2. Unlike most nations, the United States has an incredibly varied mix of ethnicities from every part of the world. Unlike most nations, the United States has an incredibly varied mix of ethnicities from every part of the world. The main reason the U.S. holds so much appeal is because of the religious, economic, and political freedom experienced here. The main reason the U.S. holds so much appeal is because of the religious, economic, and political freedom experienced here. Many Americans retain an identity with their native land, even after three or four generations of living in the U.S. Many Americans retain an identity with their native land, even after three or four generations of living in the U.S.

3. Key Terms What is Ethnocentrism? What is Ethnocentrism? Selective perception based on one’s background, attitudes, and biases. You believe your nation or ethnic group is the best!

4. Vocabulary What is Political Socialization? What is Political Socialization? The process by which parents and others teach children about political values, beliefs, and attitudes. It occurs in the home, playground, and in the neighborhood.

5. Vocabulary What are demographics? What are demographics? Where we live and who we are in terms of age, education, religion, and occupation affect how we vote. Persons in certain demographics tend to vote alike.

6. Vocabulary What are Reinforcing Cleavages? What are Reinforcing Cleavages? Divisions within society that reiforce one another, making groups more similar. Example: North Abolitionists, South Slavery

7. Vocabulary What are Cross-Cutting Cleavages? What are Cross-Cutting Cleavages? Divisions in society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more similar or different. Example: Sometimes people vote on basis of wealth, and sometimes on religion.

9. Where we live, our age, education level, religion, and occupation all affect how we vote. These characteristics of population are called demographics. Where we live, our age, education level, religion, and occupation all affect how we vote. These characteristics of population are called demographics.

10. 80% of Americans live in metropolitan areas – central cities and their suburbs. 80% of Americans live in metropolitan areas – central cities and their suburbs. More than half of all African Americans live in central cities, as opposed to 1/5 of Caucasians. The proportions are reversed in the suburbs. More than half of all African Americans live in central cities, as opposed to 1/5 of Caucasians. The proportions are reversed in the suburbs. The West and Northeast are the most urban regions, while the South and Midwest are the most rural. The West and Northeast are the most urban regions, while the South and Midwest are the most rural.

11. Race – a grouping of human beings with distinctive physical characteristics determined by genetic inheritance. Race – a grouping of human beings with distinctive physical characteristics determined by genetic inheritance. Ethnicity – a social division based on national origin, religion, and language, often within the same race Ethnicity – a social division based on national origin, religion, and language, often within the same race Most race and ethnicity issues focus on African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics. Most race and ethnicity issues focus on African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics.

12. Most African Americans came to the U.S. as slaves and remained so until after the Civil War. Most African Americans came to the U.S. as slaves and remained so until after the Civil War. African Americans typically earn less, have higher levels of poverty, and lower levels of education than Caucasians. African Americans typically earn less, have higher levels of poverty, and lower levels of education than Caucasians. Most African Americans were originally Republican, but shifted to the Democratic side after Franklin D. Roosevelt took office as President. Most African Americans were originally Republican, but shifted to the Democratic side after Franklin D. Roosevelt took office as President.

13. Hispanics tend to differ on political opinions depending on their country of origin. Cuban Americans tend to be Republican, while Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans lean towards the Democrats. Hispanics tend to differ on political opinions depending on their country of origin. Cuban Americans tend to be Republican, while Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans lean towards the Democrats. A large number of Hispanics are living in the US illegally, giving the Hispanic population a bad reputation. A large number of Hispanics are living in the US illegally, giving the Hispanic population a bad reputation. Language barriers, and the fact that the Hispanic population is generally younger than other ethnic groups, reduce voter turnout and participation from this group. Language barriers, and the fact that the Hispanic population is generally younger than other ethnic groups, reduce voter turnout and participation from this group.

14. This group includes people of Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Thai origin. This group includes people of Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Thai origin. Many Asian Americans do well economically and educationally. 47% of Asian Americans graduate from college, compared with 27% of white Americans and 17% of African Americans Many Asian Americans do well economically and educationally. 47% of Asian Americans graduate from college, compared with 27% of white Americans and 17% of African Americans

15. Men have dominated politics, business, and government for most of US history. However, over the past century, women have gained essentially the same rights and are nearly as active in politics as men. Men have dominated politics, business, and government for most of US history. However, over the past century, women have gained essentially the same rights and are nearly as active in politics as men. Recently, women have tended to vote Democratic, while men favor the Republicans. Recently, women have tended to vote Democratic, while men favor the Republicans. Women are more likely to oppose violence in any form, including capital punishment, and gun possession. They tend to be in favor of health insurance, family services and women’s rights. Women are more likely to oppose violence in any form, including capital punishment, and gun possession. They tend to be in favor of health insurance, family services and women’s rights.

16. The Constitution states that no religion must take precedence over another in the eyes of the government. The Constitution states that no religion must take precedence over another in the eyes of the government. The vast majority of Americans are described as Christian, most of which are Protestant. The vast majority of Americans are described as Christian, most of which are Protestant. A majority of Protestants vote Republican, while Catholics and Jews vote Democratic. The perception of the Jews and Catholics is that the Democratic Party is more open to them. A majority of Protestants vote Republican, while Catholics and Jews vote Democratic. The perception of the Jews and Catholics is that the Democratic Party is more open to them.

17. Wealth = total value of possessions Wealth = total value of possessions Income = annual earnings Income = annual earnings Most college students come from families that earn $50,000 a year or more. People who go to college tend to earn more than those who do not. Most college students come from families that earn $50,000 a year or more. People who go to college tend to earn more than those who do not. The poor and less educated tend to be less active in politics, although they always favor social welfare programs. The poor and less educated tend to be less active in politics, although they always favor social welfare programs.

19. Older Americans tend to be more politically aware than younger ones and vote more often. Older Americans tend to be more politically aware than younger ones and vote more often. Life-cycle effects have shown that as people become middle aged, they become more conservative. As they age further and rely on government services, they become liberal. Life-cycle effects have shown that as people become middle aged, they become more conservative. As they age further and rely on government services, they become liberal. Generational effects arise when a particular generation has experiences that make it distinct, like baby boomers or those who lived during the Great Depression. Generational effects arise when a particular generation has experiences that make it distinct, like baby boomers or those who lived during the Great Depression.

20. The vast majority of citizens are educated in public schools. Just less than half attend college. The vast majority of citizens are educated in public schools. Just less than half attend college. People who are uneducated in the prevailing norms of American society are more likely to express opposition to democratic and capitalistic ideals than those who are knowledgeable and educated. People who are uneducated in the prevailing norms of American society are more likely to express opposition to democratic and capitalistic ideals than those who are knowledgeable and educated.