Changing Minds if not Hearts: Political Remedies for Racial Conflict

James M. Glaser

Timothy J. Ryan

University of Pennsylvania Press

Politics: “Who gets what, when, and how.” -- Herbert Lasswell

Three Premises of Group Conflict Theory

1) Competition over resources has an impact on group attitudes.

2) Competition affects political attitudes more than beliefs about and affect toward others.

3) Competition and conflict affect the challenged group more than the challenging group.

The Question Wording Experiment

1)Treatment and Control

2)Random Assignment

3)External Validity, as well as Internal Validity

Heresthetic and Rhetoric

heresthetic: “The art of strategically structuring electoral processes in such a way as to change outcomes.”

Heresthetic and Rhetoric

heresthetic: “The art of strategically structuring electoral processes in such a way as to change outcomes.”

rhetoric: “The art of writing or speaking effectively as a means of communication or persuasion.”

School Bonds in Mississippi

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Racial Balance in Mississippi Schools

Omnibus Question: As you may know, the schools in your district have many needs. Considering that it would lead to a modest increase in taxes, would you be willing to vote for a bond issue

to improve and renovate schools in your district?

Specific Question: As you may know, the schools in your district have many needs. Considering that it would lead to a modest increase in taxes, would you be willing to vote for a bond issue

to fund any or all of the following projects? Please tell me which projects you would be willing to fund:*A proposal to install or repair heating, air conditioning, and plumbing systems in the schools.

*A proposal to place more computers in classrooms.

*A proposal to renovate locker rooms and gymnasiums.

Omnibus Question: As you may know, the schools in your district have many needs. Considering that it would lead to a modest increase in taxes, would you be willing to vote for a bond issue

to improve and renovate schools in your district?

Omnibus Question: As you may know, the schools in your district have many needs. Considering that it would lead to a modest increase in taxes, would you be willing to vote for a bond issue

to install or repair heating, air conditioning, and plumbing systems in the schools, to place more computers in the classrooms, and to renovate locker rooms and gymnasiums?

Specific Question: As you may know, the schools in your district have many needs. Considering that it would lead to a modest increase in taxes, would you be willing to vote for a bond issue

to fund any or all of the following projects? Please tell me which projects you would be willing to fund:*A proposal to install or repair heating, air conditioning, and plumbing systems in the schools.

*A proposal to place more computers in classrooms.

*A proposal to renovate locker rooms and gymnasiums.

Specific Question: As you may know, the schools in your district have many needs. Considering that it would lead to a modest increase in taxes, would you be willing to vote for a bond issue

to fund any or all of the following projects? Please tell me which projects you would be willing to fund:*A proposal to improve and repair school buildings.

*A proposal to improve technology in the schools.

*A proposal to improve athletic facilities.

Affirmative Action in Michigan

High School Girls and Boys

Boys Girls

Average GPA 2.86 3.09

Enrolled in

College Prep courses 48% 54%

National Honor Society 36% 64%

White Approval of Preferences in Admissions for Different Groups

Source: NewsweekPoll (1/18/03), Princeton Survey Research Associates.

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Question Wording: Please tell me whether you think colleges and universities should or should not give preferencesin admissions for each of the following groups. [First] what about [blacks]? Should there be preferences in admissions for this group, or not? Percentages reported here are for non-Hispanic whites (n=768).

Please tell me whether you think colleges and universities should or should not give preferences in admissions for each of the following groups. First, what about Blacks? Should there be preferences in admissions for this group or not? What about [Hispanics]? Should there be preferences in admissions for this group or not?

Colleges and Universities give admissions preferences to many groups of students, such as athletes, children of alumni, and artists and musicians. Should there also be preferences in admissions for blacks and Hispanics?

In promoting certain societal goals, colleges and universities give admissions preferences to many groups of students, such as students interested in science and technology, and students with leadership qualities. Should there also be preferences in admissions for blacks and Hispanics?

In constructing a balanced student body, colleges and universities give admissions preferences to many groups of students, including male students. Should there also be preferences in admissions for blacks and Hispanics?

Colleges and universities give admissions preferences to many groups of students, such as those from families that can afford to pay full tuition. Should there also be preferences in admissions for blacks and Hispanics?

Informing Respondents about Other Preferences Leads to Greater Support for

Black/Hispanic Preferences(Mean Scores)

All Respondents

Support for Support for Black/Hisp PreferencesBlack/Hisp in the Context of Preferences for:Preferences athletes,

legacies, artists/ scientists/ full-paymusicians leaders men

students

.30 .49*** .35 .40*** .51*** (946) (591) (292) (300) (313)

* p< .10 ** p<.05 ***p<.01

Michigan State of the State Survey (Aug-Oct/06, Feb-Apr/07, Oct/Nov/07)

Colleges and universities give admissions preferences to many groups of students, such as athletes, children of alumni, and artists and musicians. Should there also be preferences in admissions for blacks and Hispanics?

Colleges and universities give admissions preferences to many groups of students, such as athletes, children of alumni, and artists and musicians. Is it right for preferences in admissions for blacks and Hispanics to be taken away?

Respondents are Loathe to Take Away Preferences

(Mean Scores)

Should there Should Preferencesbe Preferences for Blacks/Hispanicsfor Blacks/Hispanics be Taken Away?

All Respondents .49 .76*** (591) (302)

Non-HispanicWhite Respondents .41 .72***

(449) (226)

* p< .10 ** p<.05 ***p<.01

Michigan State of the State Survey (Feb-Apr/07, Oct/Nov/07)