AP GovernmentAP Government

Chapter 6Chapter 6

ReviewReview

How can we determine if a public opinion poll is valid?

How can we determine if a public opinion poll is valid?

The size of the poll in relation to the population helps provide validity, and a +/- factor of about 4 percent

How does race and ethnicity affect voting patterns?

How does race and ethnicity affect voting patterns?

There are clear differences between whites & blacks in the area of integration, affirmative action. Most differences on economic issues are the result of economic situations.

Well-educated whites less likely to support programs for poor minority neighborhoods than those who actually live there.

As in many areas, the $ affects people’s views.

What is public opinion?

What is public opinion?

Politically relevant opinions that are held by ordinary citizens that they express openly. Can be a protest, voting, letters to candidates or editorial pages of newspapers.

Schools and Education as an agent of Political socialization

Schools and Education as an agent of Political socialization

In elementary schools, students learn the positive aspects of American history, later, other aspects of a positive American history is taught. A standard positive ideal of American history is taught through most of public education. Not until college are other views usually put forth

What do conservatives believe?

What do conservatives believe?

Government tries to do too many things, support the free-market solutions to problems rather than government, more likely to support prayer in school.

How do gender differences impact voting patterns?

How do gender differences impact voting patterns?

Most differences between m/f are small on most issues. Women are a little more supportive of Abortion rights & affirmative action than men

Women more supportive of spending on welfare, economic issues, and education, reflecting their economic vulnerability

On military action, in almost every case, women were less supportive than men. All contributing to the “gender gap”

What is “cross cutting cleavages” and their effect on public opinion?

What is “cross cutting cleavages” and their effect on public opinion?

When people belong to more than one group. For example, wealthy blacks would have different opinions from poorer blacks. This belonging to more than one group tends moderate public opinion.

How does the Mass Media affect one’s political socialization?

How does the Mass Media affect one’s political socialization?

The images and ideas portrayed on TV have an effect. Repeated exposure to crime leads people to believe crime is worse than it really is. Also, how the media portrays political figures affects people’s view of them.

ex. Bush is an illiterate buffoon

What is political socialization?

What is political socialization?

The learning process by which people acquire their political opinions, beliefs, and opinions. Begins with family influence, and continues through school and the rest of our lives.

What do liberals believe?

What do liberals believe?

Government should do more to solve the country’s problems and should not support traditional values at the expense of less conventional ones. More likely to support increased government health-care and same-sex marriages.

How does religion affect political socialization?

How does religion affect political socialization?

Faith/religion provides solidarity. The stronger one’s faith, the more likely it is to affect one’s political belief. For example, the “Religious Right”, predominantly fundamental protestants and Catholics is the most influential religious force in US

What does a libertarian believe?

What does a libertarian believe?

That government tries to do many things that should be left of firms or individuals and oppose government as an instrument of traditional values. Government shouldn’t get involved in economy and shouldn’t ban drugs or give out needles.

How does one’s gender likely to affect political socialization?

How does one’s gender likely to affect political socialization?

To some extent, women are likely to support reproductive rights, but more likely to oppose military intervention, for example Afghanistan or Iraq.

How does the family affect one’s political outlook & socialization?

How does the family affect one’s political outlook & socialization?

The family has a near monopoly status; many beliefs and values learned at home will stay throughout life, not just political outlook, but a person’s socialization. Loyalty is sown young

What do populists believe?

What do populists believe?

Those who would use government for both the purpose of economic redistribution and guarding of traditional values. Likely to support health-care spending and oppose civil unions.

How does a pollster get the people who answer their questions?

How does a pollster get the people who answer their questions?

Random dialing works best, as they must take into account a random sampling in the interview process to collect the most accurate information possible.

Why do elected officials tend to rely more and more on polling data?

Why do elected officials tend to rely more and more on polling data?

Because other possibilities, election outcomes, meeting with a few constituents, talk radio call ins, all have restrictions in their ability to accurately measure public opinion.

Why has voter turnout decreased sharply over the past 30 to 40 years?

Why has voter turnout decreased sharply over the past 30 to 40 years?

Things like Watergate, the Vietnam War, Iran/Contra affair, Whitewater Gate, and assorted corruption within Washington leading to a distrust of those in Washington.

Just what is IDEOLOGY?

Just what is IDEOLOGY?

It is a consistent pattern of opinion on particular issues that stems from a core belief or set of beliefs. Yet in spite of this, people often depart from their ideological beliefs.

• Example; Pro-life Democrats, fiscally liberal Republicans, etc.

The Family as an agent of Political Socialization

The Family as an agent of Political Socialization

The most powerful agent of socialization (political as well), near monopoly status, while later in life (teen years) a child may not listen much to their parents, but the political effects (or lack thereof) is likely to have a lasting impact. Political loyalty comes 1st from childhood.

How has age affected voting patterns?

How has age affected voting patterns?

Elderly tend to oppose increases in public school spending while supporting Social Security & Medicare increases. Strong political lobby in the AARP

Younger people concerned that Social Security won’t be around when they retire, favor changes, public school financing, etc.

Think of the different views between a 25 year old father and a 70 year old grandfather.

Something to remember…

Something to remember…People’s later viewpoints are strongly affected by

the almighty dollar

As we see more and more of our tax dollars being used, people become somewhat cautious of government spending programs. That’s why a news segment on “$250 Hammers for the Pentagon” is such a popular segment.

Family loyalty is deep seeded as well, but remember the economic effects coupled with the rest of the influences on our political culture

How does economic class affect voting patterns?

How does economic class affect voting patterns?

Less of an effect than in other part of the world, but in general, lower-income Americans are more supportive of social welfare programs, business regulations, progressive taxation than higher-income Americans.

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