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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 19th Century) Southern and eastern Europeans (late 19th and early
20th centuries) Hispanics and Asians (late 20th 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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information
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
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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.
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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.
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Summary