1. 1 Public Opinion Learning Objectives: (1). Define public opinion, explain its role, & describe how it shapes political process. (1). Define public opinion, explain its role, & describe how it shapes political process. (2). Examine political knowledge, and its distribution and sources. (2). Examine political knowledge, and its distribution and sources. (3). Examine issue politics, and the people who possess political knowledge. (3). Examine issue politics, and the people who possess political knowledge. (4). Define political socialization, and state how political values & beliefs are formed. (4). Define political socialization, and state how political values & beliefs are formed. (5). Define ideology and explain how it influences public opinion. (5). Define ideology and explain how it influences public opinion. (6). Compare and contrast the main ideas behind modern liberalism and conservatism. (6). Compare and contrast the main ideas behind modern liberalism and conservatism. (7). Outline how ideology has changed over time and examine its roots & sources. (7). Outline how ideology has changed over time and examine its roots & sources. (8). Examine contradictions in the public’s opinion on major economic and social issues. (8). Examine contradictions in the public’s opinion on major economic and social issues. (9). Contrast abstract symbols with concrete policies. (9). Contrast abstract symbols with concrete policies. (10). Examine how the public maintains its opinions, changes them over time, and why. (10). Examine how the public maintains its opinions, changes them over time, and why.

2. 2 People’s Limited Knowledge of Politics American Opinions vs. informed opinion: American Opinions vs. informed opinion: –What do Americans really know about political issues? (Table 6-1)

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10. 10 Year Item of Knowledge Percent Who Know 1995 Lance Ito was the judge in the O.J. Simpson murder trial 64% 1989 Name of their state’s governor 73 1999 Which political party is the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives Which political party is the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives 30 1999 Kosovo was site of ethnic Albanian-Serbian conflict 66 2000 Senator & VP candidate Joe Lieberman is Jewish 66 1998 Which party was the majority in the U.S. Senate 56 1991 The U.S. must import oil to meet its energy needs 50 Public’s Knowledge of Politics and Issues

11. 11 Year Item of Knowledge Percent Who Know 1999 Dennis Hastert was Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives 30% 1980 Definitions of liberal and conservative 42 1996 What the federal minimum wage was 42 1991 What majority is needed to override a presidential veto 37 2000 Who the Prime Minister of Great Britain was 29 2000 Vladimir Putin was president of Russia 18 1989 What percentage of Americans live below poverty line 18 1991 Canada was America's largest foreign trading partner 8 2000 William Rehnquist was Chief Justice of the United States 8 Public’s Knowledge of Politics and Issues (2)

12. 12 Finding out what the Public Thinks How do we know what America thinks? How do we know what America thinks? –What method is used? How does it work? How does it work?

13. 13 Large enough sample (1000) Representative of the population (equal chance) Properly worded question A good survey result Methods for Public Polling

14. 14 The Distribution of Political Knowledge Basis of political knowledge – Basis of political knowledge – –Prerequisites to learning about politics: Opportunity Opportunity Capacity Capacity Interests Interests What are the other important traits closely related to political knowledge? What are the other important traits closely related to political knowledge?

15. 15 Opportunity to learn Capacity to learn Interest in learning Demographic characteristics Social characteristics Psychological characteristics Political Knowledge Basis & Traits of Political Knowledge

16. 16 Important Related Traits of Political Knowledge Demographic Characteristics Demographic Characteristics –Socioeconomic status => Education Education Occupation Occupation Income Income Social Characteristics (activities & clubs) Social Characteristics (activities & clubs) Psychological Characteristics Psychological Characteristics –Political efficacy* –Interest & Active participation in politics

17. 17 Education Most important factor in political knowledge Why is education so important? Most Important Tool in Acquiring Political Knowledge?

18. 18 Percentage of population who are illiterate or functionally illiterate, 1990 Percentage of population Literacy & Political Knowledge Why is this a major concern?

19. 19 Sources of Knowledge School (teach information on the basics) School (teach information on the basics) –American values: Democracy & Capitalism News media (cover current political issues) News media (cover current political issues) –TV vs. Newspapers => decline in knowledge –Entertainment & interest vs. content & depth Who are the people with political knowledge & what are they called?

20. 20 People who follow a particular issue closely, are well informed about it, and have strong opinions on it. Attentive or Issue Publics What are Issue Publics ? Attentive or Issue Publics vs. general public: How do they compare in political influence? Role & influence on elected officials? Favorable Demographic Characteristics?

21. 21 So what does Socialization shape? Values and Political Opinions Forming Values & Opinions Socialization What process forms values and opinions? What are the major socializing influences?

22. 22 Socializing Influences Family Family Media Media School School The major socializing influences:

23. 23 Shaping & learning attitudes & values Family and Friends: Family and Friends: –Major impact => learning value judgments –Parents => Party labels & basic political attitudes School: School: –patriotism & basic democratic & $$$ values –civic classes => promote support for political system –Bennington College => faculty’s eventual liberal influence The Media => especially television programs: The Media => especially television programs: –Influence impressions of acceptable social behavior The Politically correct society The Politically correct society Finally: Lifetime Learning=> Socialization continues Finally: Lifetime Learning=> Socialization continues –Party ID stable w/ some exceptions (Independents)

24. 24 An elaborate set of interrelated beliefs with overarching, abstract principles that provide coherent political philosophies. Ideology What is Ideology? What are the two major political ideologies? Focus conflict on agreement & disagreement about issues

25. 25 Liberalism versus Conservatism Democracy Democracy Capitalism Capitalism Freedom Freedom Disagreement at Margins Disagreement at Margins Government plays expansive role Government plays expansive role Government protects weaker citizens and promotes equality Government protects weaker citizens and promotes equality Democracy Democracy Capitalism Capitalism Freedom Freedom Government plays a minimal role Government plays a minimal role Government to ensure citizens economic freedom Government to ensure citizens economic freedom General agreement on Basics Democracy & equality vs. Traditional values & $$$ freedom

26. 26 Liberalism Wealthy should pay more taxes to fund government programs Wealthy should pay more taxes to fund government programs Regulate business & protect environment Regulate business & protect environment Guarantee minimum levels of social security Guarantee minimum levels of social security Prevent discrimination Prevent discrimination Assist poor nations Assist poor nations

27. 27 Conservatism Flatten or reduce tax rate for all Flatten or reduce tax rate for all Opposed to regulating business Opposed to regulating business Limit social welfare Limit social welfare Uphold “traditional values” Uphold “traditional values” Favor laws limiting or outlawing abortion Favor laws limiting or outlawing abortion Pursue foreign policy with military aid or action Pursue foreign policy with military aid or action

28. 28 Ideologies may change over Time Adjustments in response to changes in society itself Adjustments in response to changes in society itself –Industrialization=> urbanization –Technological development –Immigration & population growth –Economic & social trends & changes Examples: Examples: –Social impact of Industrial Revolution => Social & $$$ reforms –Great Depression => New Deal=> role of Fed Government grows –Civil Rights movement & LBJ’s Great Society of 1960s –9/11/2001 & Patriot Act => impact on freedom & security What are the sources of Ideology?

29. 29 Values and abstract ideas Real life political situations Sources of Ideology & their Impact

30. 30 Abstract Ideals and their Impact- some examples: Conservative support for CA energy de-regulation Conservative support for CA energy de-regulation –Reversal of position during summer black-outs Liberal penchant to cut defense budget => unless? Liberal penchant to cut defense budget => unless? Influence of racial, ethnic & religious groups Influence of racial, ethnic & religious groups –Impact of lobbying Congress => laws affecting everyone Social & political movements: Social & political movements: –Temperance movement of early 1900s => –Yankee Protestant => anti-immigrant laws & 18 th Amendment –Women’s movement => Title IX & support for Liberal causes

31. 31 The Process of Molding Ideologies Political ideological opinion leaders Political ideological opinion leaders –(Kennedy & Jackson vs. Ashcroft & Buchanan) (see Text write-ups for details & specific examples) (see Text write-ups for details & specific examples) Media & Classroom forums => Media & Classroom forums => –Promote discussion & debate over values & issues “Informed” public => impact on others: “Informed” public => impact on others: –Influence on friends & neighbors & associates

32. 32 Public Opinion on the Issues Clear patterns emerge=> usually as: Clear patterns emerge=> usually as: –Clusters of related issues Ideological Thinking by the Public Ideological Thinking by the Public –Consistent vs. inconsistent attitudes & opinions –Conservative, liberal, & moderate Tendency toward mix of ideologies – why? Tendency toward mix of ideologies – why? –Weak grasp of facts & oversimplified understanding –Political issues are usually very complex How does the Public identify itself ideologically?

33. 33 American Political Identification

34. 34 Abstract Symbols vs. Concrete Policies Public is ideologically conservative on abstract ideas Public is ideologically conservative on abstract ideas –But Liberal on concrete government programs Example: Public insists on conservative fiscal policy: Example: Public insists on conservative fiscal policy: –Balanced budget & cut government spending & waste Also: protect environment & fund education programs Also: protect environment & fund education programs –But don’t raise taxes or cut my programs (Figure 6-2- next) Basic contradictions => easily exploited by politicians Basic contradictions => easily exploited by politicians Current GOP position on permanent tax cut Current GOP position on permanent tax cut –Impact on Federal revenues, programs, & deficit –Public’s attitude is mixed and conflicted Let’s examine Figure 6-2 more closely

35. 35 Programs Americans Support (1974-2002)

36. 36 Clustering of Opinion Public Opinion forms around Clusters of related Issues: Despite contradictions => clear patterns do emerge Center around clusters that fall into two major separate groups of issues: Economic Issues: Issues relating to the distribution of income and wealth in society Social Issues: Issues based on moral or value judgments

37. 37 Economic Issues: (distribution of wealth in society) Generally => groups support $$$ issues that benefit their members: Generally => groups support $$$ issues that benefit their members: –Wealthy want less taxes vs. poor want gov programs –Conservatives generally support lower taxes –Liberals want Federal programs (need higher taxes to fund them) (need higher taxes to fund them) Above not always so => exceptions Above not always so => exceptions –(Ted Kennedy) Other typical group differences (see Table 6-2) Other typical group differences (see Table 6-2)

38. 38 American Attitudes on Economic Issues

39. 39 Social Issues: (moral & value judgments) Generally => higher educated => more liberal Generally => higher educated => more liberal –Support tolerance & anti-discrimination laws –Individual Freedom over traditional values Poorly educated => usually more conservative Poorly educated => usually more conservative –Less tolerant of different groups’ values – Protect traditional values over individual freedom Typical group differences (Tables 6-3, 6-4, & 6-5) Typical group differences (Tables 6-3, 6-4, & 6-5) –Table 6-3: Homosexuals serving in military –Table 6-4: Job equality enforced by Federal Government –Table 6-6: Attitudes toward Abortion Let’s examine one example in following slides=>

40. 40 Overall attitudes towards homosexuality in the United States, 2000 Attitudes Toward Homosexuality

41. 41 Attitudes Toward Federally Enforced Job Equality

42. 42 Attitudes Toward Abortion

43. 43 Change in Opinion over Time: Social Issues Young usually lead way to generational changes Young usually lead way to generational changes –Young also typically more liberal on social issues Americans became more racially tolerant over time (Fig. 6-3) Americans became more racially tolerant over time (Fig. 6-3)

44. 44 Change in Opinion over Time: Economic Issues: Public Opinion is mixed on economic issues: Public Opinion is mixed on economic issues: –Social Security & other Federal programs support steady –Recent trends to reduce or increase some Fed. Programs: Environmental, Cities, & Crime fighting programs in decline Environmental, Cities, & Crime fighting programs in decline Health & Defense programs on the rise (Figure 6-2) Health & Defense programs on the rise (Figure 6-2) What are the causes of change in attitudes & opinion?

45. 45 Cause of Change Changes traced to social & economic pressures Changes traced to social & economic pressures –Women’s equality tied to their contribution to WWII –Many women continued outside jobs following war –Result: Growing demand by women for equality Leadership of major movements for change Leadership of major movements for change –MLK & Civil Rights movement => goal: integration Change is more evolutionary than revolutionary Change is more evolutionary than revolutionary –Civil Rights Act of 1964 –Voting Rights Act of 1965 –Both pressed for change => reality was slower –Racial prejudices changed slowly (Figure 6-3) Public Opinion generally remains fairly stable Public Opinion generally remains fairly stable –Change occurs slowly (unless dramatic event occurs): – 9/11/2001, War & its impact, & Katrina & Gov.’s response

46. 46 Public Opinion Key Terms Attentive publics (or issue publics): People who follow a particular issue closely, are well informed about it, and have strong opinions on it. Attentive publics (or issue publics): People who follow a particular issue closely, are well informed about it, and have strong opinions on it. Attitude consistency: The degree to which a person’s political opinions all fall at about the same point on the liberal-conservative dimension. Attitude consistency: The degree to which a person’s political opinions all fall at about the same point on the liberal-conservative dimension. Attitudes (or Opinions): Preferences on specific issues. Attitudes (or Opinions): Preferences on specific issues. Conservatism: The political philosophy that government should play a minimal role in society (except in the area of traditional moral values) with the goal of ensuring all its citizens economic freedom. Conservatism: The political philosophy that government should play a minimal role in society (except in the area of traditional moral values) with the goal of ensuring all its citizens economic freedom. Economic issues: Issues relating to the distribution of income and wealth in society. Economic issues: Issues relating to the distribution of income and wealth in society. Ideology: An elaborate set of interrelated beliefs with overarching, abstract principles that make people’s political philosophies coherent. Ideology: An elaborate set of interrelated beliefs with overarching, abstract principles that make people’s political philosophies coherent. Issue publics (or attentive publics): People who follow a particular issue closely, are well informed about it, and have strong opinions on it. Issue publics (or attentive publics): People who follow a particular issue closely, are well informed about it, and have strong opinions on it. Left: The liberal end of the political spectrum. Left: The liberal end of the political spectrum. Liberalism: The political philosophy that government should play an expansive role in society (except in the area of personal morality) with the goal of protecting its weaker citizens and ensuring political and social equality for all citizens. Liberalism: The political philosophy that government should play an expansive role in society (except in the area of personal morality) with the goal of protecting its weaker citizens and ensuring political and social equality for all citizens.

47. 47 Public Opinion Key Terms (2) Opinions (or Attitudes): Preferences on specific issues. Opinions (or Attitudes): Preferences on specific issues. Pro-choice: Favoring the policy of allowing women to choose whether to have an abortion. Pro-choice: Favoring the policy of allowing women to choose whether to have an abortion. Pro-life: Favoring the policy of making abortion illegal. Pro-life: Favoring the policy of making abortion illegal. Right: The conservative end of the political spectrum. Right: The conservative end of the political spectrum. Social issues: Issues based on moral or value judgments. Social issues: Issues based on moral or value judgments. Socialization: The process by which people acquire values and opinions from their societies. Socialization: The process by which people acquire values and opinions from their societies. Socioeconomic status: Social status as measured by one’s education, income, and occupation. Socioeconomic status: Social status as measured by one’s education, income, and occupation. Values: Basic principles which lead people to form opinions on specific issues. Values: Basic principles which lead people to form opinions on specific issues.