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Public Opinion and Political Action Chapter 6
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The distribution of the populations’ belief about politics and policy issues reflects the differences among American people Problems: people are not often informed the less informed are less likely to vote What is Public Opinion?
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Demography = the science of human population changes census Census Bureau 1990 = 4.7 million not counted Department of commerce vs. US House of Representatives (1990) The American People
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Immigrant Society United States is a nation of immigrants. “ not merely a nation, but a nation of nations” – JFK Three waves of immigration: Northwestern Europeans (prior to late 19 th Century) Southern and eastern Europeans (late 19 th and early 20 th centuries) Hispanics and Asians (late 20 th century)
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American melting Pot Melting pot = mixture of cultures, ideas, and people that has change the nation Minority majority = America will soon stop being a predominant Anglo-Saxon majority Non – Caucasian majority Political culture is an overall set of values widely shared within a society. The American People
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2000 census 69% white 12 % black 13% Hispanics 4% Asian 1% Natives 2010 72% white 64% white not of Hispanic decent 13% black 16% Hispanic 5% Asian <1% Native The # of blacks has been outnumbers by Hispanics Minorities = 30% of population
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The American Melting Pot (continued) Racial disadvantages African Americans face a legacy of racism. 24% of African Americans in poverty vs. 10% of whites in poverty Hispanics Faced with problem of illegal immigration Simpson – Mazzoli Act: requires employers document citizenship of employee Asians professionals Native Americans Only 4 million in the nation ½ live below the poverty line
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The American People 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 Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008
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Graying America 65 yrs old = fastest growing age Drain on Social Security Pay as you go system In 1942 – 42 workers per retiree In 2040 – 2 workers per retiree
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Political Socialization: “the process through which and individual acquires [their] particular political orientation” Orientation grow firmer with age The Process of Political Socialization The Family Political leanings of children often mirror their parents’ leanings Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization
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The Process of Political Socialization (continued) The Mass Media Chief source of information as children age Generation gap is viewing television news School Used by government to socialize young into political culture Better-educated citizens are more likely to vote and are more knowledgeable about politics and policy. Political Learning Over a Lifetime Aging increases political participation and strength of party attachment. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization
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Political ideology = coherent set of values and beliefs about Public Policy Liberals vs Conservatives Predominance of conservative over liberal thinking Currently about 38% conservative, 24% liberal, 38% moderate Gender gap: women tend to be less conservative than men Ideological variation by religion too What Americans Value: Political Ideologies
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Who are liberals and conservatives Older vs. younger Minorities Gender gap Financial status Religion
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What Americans Value: Political Ideologies Do People Think in Ideological Terms? Ideologues: think in ideological terms Group Benefits voters: view politics through party or group label Nature of the Times: view of politics based on whether times are good or bad No issue content: vote routinely for party or personality
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How Polls Are Conducted Sample: a small proportion of people who are chosen in a survey to be representative of the whole Random Sampling: the key technique employed by sophisticated survey researchers which operates on the principle that everyone should have an equal probability of being selected for the sample Sampling Error: the level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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The Role of Polls in American Democracy Polls help politicians detect public preferences. But critics say polls make politicians think more about following than leading public Even though politicians do not track opinion to make policy Question wording may affect survey results Polls may distort election process Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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The Role of Polls in American Democracy (continued) Exit Polls: used by the media to predict election day winners May discourage people from voting 2000 Presidential election Bush vs. Gore 2012 Presidential election Obama vs. Kerry Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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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. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008
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Political Participation Activities in which citizens engage to influence the selection of political leaders or policies to pursue Conventional Participation Voting, campaigning, contacting officials Unconventional Participation Protest, Civil Disobedience Political elites Activists, party leader, interest group leaders, judges, members of Congress How Americans participate in Politics
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Class, Inequality, and Participation Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008
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Public Attitudes Toward the Scope of Government Many people have no opinion about scope of government. Public opinion is inconsistent, which may lead to policy gridlock. Democracy, Public Opinion, and Political Action Americans select leaders, but do they do so wisely? If people know little about candidates’ issues, how can they? People vote more for performance than policy. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Understanding Public Opinion and Political Action
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American society is ethnically diverse and changing. Knowing public opinion is important to a democracy, just as polling has costs and benefits. Americans know little about politics. Political participation is generally low. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Summary
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