2. Public Opinion The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues. Complex b/c of diverse opinions. People often aren’t well informed.

3.  Demography The science of population changes.  Census A valuable tool for understanding population changes. Required every 10 years by the Constitution. Changes in pop. impact our culture and political systems.

5. The American People  The Immigrant Society United States is a nation of immigrants. “not merely a nation, but a nation of nations”- JFK Federal law allows 800,000 new immigrants per year.

6. Three waves of immigration: 1. Northwestern Europeans (prior to late 19 th Century) 2. Southern and eastern Europeans (late 19 th and early 20 th centuries) 3. Hispanics and Asians (late 20 th century)

7. The American People  The American Melting Pot Melting Pot: the mixing of cultures, ideas, and peoples that has changed the American nation. Minority Majority: the emergence of a non- Caucasian majority. ○ When? ○ 2000 Census showed all time low in percentage of non-Hispanic White Americans - 69%

9. The American People  African Americans face a legacy of racism. 2006 Census Bureau reported 24% of African Americans living below poverty line compared to 10% of Whites.  Hispanics - largest minority group faced with the problem of illegal immigration. Simpson-Mazzoli Act: requires employers document citizenship of employee.

10.  Asian immigration - driven by a new class of professional workers looking for opportunity.  Native Americans: disadvantaged

11. The American People (cont) The Regional Shift – Population shift from east to west – Reapportionment: the process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census

12. The American People  The Graying of America Fastest growing age group is over 65. Potential drain on Social Security: ○ Pay as you go system. ○ In 1942, 42 workers per retiree. ○ In 2040, 2 workers per retiree.

13. Political Socialization  Process through which a young person acquires political attitudes and values.

14. Political Socialization The Family ○ Political leanings of children often mirror parents.

15. School as socializing agent ○ Used by gov’t to socialize young into political culture. ○ Better-educated citizens are more likely to vote and are more knowledgeable about politics and policy. ○ Most obvious intrusion of gov’t into our socialization.

16. How do schools act as social agent?  Elementary School Authority figures Pledge, National Anthem, National Holidays Respect others opinions Class elections  High School History and Government classes

17.  Mass Media Chief source of information as children age. Generation gap is viewing television news. Most political info comes from here.

18.  Peers - The closer the group, the greater the impact on a person. Primary group: A group that a person comes into face-to-face contact with in everyday life; for example, friends and office associates. Secondary group: labor unions, professional, or religious groups, a person CHOOSES TO JOIN.

19. Political Socialization  Political Learning Over a Lifetime Aging increases political participation and strength of party attachment.

20. Polling - History  Developed by George Gallup in 1932.  Mother in law was running for Iowa’s secretary of state.

21. Measuring Public Opinion  How Polls Are Conducted Sample: a small group of people who are chosen in a survey to be representative of the whole. Usually sample is about 1000- 1500 to represent the “universe”. Random Sampling: operates on the principle that everyone should have an equal chance of being selected. Sampling Error: the level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll. (ex- +/- 3%)

22.  Today’s polls are usually done by random digit dialing.  Disadvantages: Easier to hang up on someone 7% of population doesn’t have phone Cell phones?

24. Polling Polls help politicians detect public preferences. But critics say polls make politicians think more about following than leading public. Question wording may affect survey results. ○ Subtle changes in wording can produce dramatic differences.

25. Polls may distort election process. Bandwagon effect? Exit Polls: used by the media to predict election day winners. ○ May discourage people from voting. ○ 2000 presidential election in Florida

26.  What Polls Reveal About Americans’ Political Information: Americans don’t know much about politics. Americans may know their basic beliefs but not how that affects policies of the government.  The Decline of Trust in Government: Since 1964, trust in government has declined. Trust in government has gone up somewhat since September 11.

28.  2006 General Social Survey found that of people who labeled themselves: 37% conservative 38% moderate 25% liberal  Tends to be predominance of conservative thinking in America.

29. Left v. Right  Younger people more likely to be liberal. Younger people are also less likely to vote.  African Americans are more liberal than national average.  Hispanics are typically less conservative than whites.

30. Gender  Women are more likely to support spending on social services and oppose higher levels of military spending.  Women tend to be less conservative than men.  Gender gap - pattern by which women are more likely to support Democratic candidates.

31. Income  Traditionally social class was used to predict political behavior.  Relationship b/w income and ideology is now weak.

32. Religion  Protestants are typically more conservative than Catholics who are typically more conservative than Jewish people.  (Note - Ideological gap between Catholic and Protestants is now smaller than the gender gap)  Ideology tends to be determined more by religiosity - degree to which religion is important in one’s life- rather than denomination.

33. Religion  Christian right - fundamentalists or “born again” Christians.  Currently the most conservative demographic group  People with no religious affiliation (1 in 10) are more liberal.

34. The American Voter - 1956  Ideologues - Can connect their opinions and beliefs with policy positions taken by parties. (12%)  Group benefits voters - think of politics in terms of groups they like or dislike. (42%)  Nature of the times voters - handle on politics limited to whether times seem good or bad. (24%)  No issue content group - Vote based on personality or just for a party. (22%)

35. What’s it mean?  Most people do not think in ideological terms….  Can’t really claim that an election resulted in the public moving to the left or right.

36. Political Participation  All the activities in which citizens engage to influence the selection of political leaders or policies they pursue.  Can be overt or subtle, peaceful or violent, organized or individual, etc.

37.  60% adults voted in pres election 2004.  40% in midterm elections 2006.  Local elections - can sometimes draw less than 10% of voters.

38. Conventional Participation  Voting  Petitioning  Running for office  Contacting government officials

39. What are the characteristics that show you are likely to vote?  Older  Member of the majority  Educated  Religious  High Paying Job  Minorities however have a group consciousness that gives them an incentive to vote. When comparing African Americans and Whites of equal income and education, the former tends to participate more in politics.

41. 2008 Election turnout  Remained about the same.  Increase in 18-24 year olds, African Americans, Hispanic Americans.  18-24 year olds had lowest voting rate.  45 - 64 and 64 - up had highest voting rates (69%/70%).