1. Abortion Politics in the US The relationship between public opinion and governmental policy

2. Public Opinion Both sides of the abortion question argue that they have the majority of Americans behind them. Pro-lifers argue that a majority of Americans are against abortion on demand. Pro-choicers argue that a majority of Americans believe in a fundamental right of women to have an abortion.

3. Who’s right? NES Questions on abortion, 1980-2000: "Which one of the opinions on this page best agrees with your view?" 1. By law, abortion should never be permitted 2. The law should permit abortion only in case of rape, incest, or when the woman's life is in danger. 3. The law should permit abortion for reasons other than rape, incest, or danger to the woman's life, but only after the need for the abortion has been clearly established. 4. By law, a woman should always be able to obtain an abortion as a matter of personal choice.

4. NES Data from 1980-2000: ‘80‘84‘88‘92‘96‘00 Never permitted 111312101312 Rape, Incest, Danger 322933283031 Clear Need181918141615 Always a personal choice 35 464039 Don’t know/other 431222

7. One can find clear majorities to support both sides of the abortion argument. A majority of respondents to the NES believe that abortion should be available in some circumstances. But a clear majority of respondents also do not support the position of abortion on demand.

8. Demographics and opinion: “Never Permitted” by Level of Education

9. “Always allowed” by Education level

10. “Never Permitted” by Income

11. “Always Allowed” by Income

12. General Trends on abortion Large majorities of Americans support a woman’s right to choose, but still believe in respecting the sanctity of life. In general, people believe that women should be able to make their own choices, but that those choices should be limited. This is where the public debate takes place.

13. The Big Question Why is abortion such a hot political issue? 1) There is the divide between support for choice and limiting that choice. Both sides of debate grab onto evidence that supports their opinion 2) The US political system is structured that social issues have more influence than in other countries.

14. US Political Structure Political parties in US, decentralized as they are, are subject to extremists on both sides – Dems have pro-choice; Reps pro-life – who can force an issue.

15. US Political Structure The US bureaucracy is structured so that social issues matter. Abortion plays role in American bureaucracy b/c key decision makers and agencies have been subject to political pressure from the White House and/or Congress to promote one or another abortion policy. Bureaucratic officials who make decisions on abortion policy are appointed (some with Senate approval); but they also have to go to Congress for budget approval. Interest groups play a role in both cases.

16. US Political Structure Compare this to Canada, for instance, where public opinion on abortion is similar to that of the US, but where abortion is not such a divisive political issue. The political structure of Canada is such that abortion is not continually debated as it is in the US. Bureaucratic officials more removed from day-to-day politics than in the US.