Public Opinion & Political Action

1. Public Opinion & Political Action

2. The American People: Demographic Trends • What is demography? • What such trends would affect American politics? • Changes in race/ethnicity of population • New minority majority • Changes in age of population • Graying of America • Regional shifts in population • Regional shift to the West and South  Reapportionment

3. The coming minority majority

4. Political Culture • Widely shared beliefs, values and norms concerning relationships of citizens to government / one another • Important Elements of American Political Culture • liberty - preoccupation with rights • equality - equal vote, equal opportunity, equality under the law, but not equal wealth • democracy - politicians accountable to the people • civic duty - serve community • individual responsibility – barring some disability, individuals responsible for own actions and well being

5. Examples of Conflict in American Political Culture • Identify the two elements of American political culture in conflict for each statement. • Example: High School students can pay taxes on their incomes but cannot vote. • Conflict: Civic Duty (pay taxes) is in conflict with Equality (equal vote)

6. Examples of Conflict in American Political Culture • Example: You can’t yell ‘Fire’ in a crowded building. • Conflict: • Example: Citizens must pay income tax every April. • Conflict: • Example: Individuals can vote and register for the Selective Service at 18, but cannot legally drink alcohol until they are 21. • Conflict: • Provide two additional examples of conflicts in the five elements of American political culture.

7. Political Socialization • What do we do when we “socialize?” • How are people affected by those they socialize with? • How would we be affected “politically” by those we socialize with? • Brainstorm possible agents of political socialization. • What factors seem to be the most influential?

8. Political Socialization • Process by which parents and others teach children about values, beliefs and attitudes of political culture • Agents or Influencing Factors of Political Socialization • Family • Religion • Gender • Level of Education • Race and Ethnicity • Region • Community • Social Class • Media • Peer Group • Teachers

9. Identifying Influences of Your Political Socialization • Fill out the handout • Complete the reflection questions • Which agent has the least influence on your decisions and which has the greatest?

10. Political Ideologies What Americans Value

11. Political Ideology • A consistent set of values and beliefs about the proper purpose and scope of government. • Liberal / left • Favor active role of government in society • Seek change • Conservative / right • Favor a more limited role of government in society • Want to preserve traditional ways • Exceptions / contradictions

13. Break it down: • 41% conservative/21% liberal • Younger people less conservative • Minorities less conservative • Wealthy more conservative • Gender gap • Religious more conservative

14. The Political Spectrum

15. Measuring Public Opinion • Public Opinion Polls • Sample • Small group polled – supposed to be representative • Public opinion polling = 1000-1500 people • Random sampling • Sampling error = level of confidence in poll • 1500-2000 in sample + 3 % • Mr. Cashill told me only 900 necessary in sample

16. Poll Positives • Policymakers can keep in touch with voters’ changing opinions on issues • Especially between elections • Thus contributes to democratic process • People can too

17. Poll Negatives • Polls only reflect the passive attitudes of voters • Politicians “follow” what is popular rather than “lead” • Probably not true • Create bandwagon effect • People support candidate because perceived as popular • Exit poll can affect outcome of national elections • Bradley effect? • Pollsters can manipulate polls

18. Poll Question Wording • Smoking • Should people be allowed to smoke cigarettes? • Since cigarettes are dangerous and have deadly side effects such as cancer wouldn't you agree that smoking should be controlled to save the lives of many?  • Gun Control • Do you agree or disagree with this statement: "There is a need for stricter gun laws." • Many people have said that there is a need for stricter laws on dangerous weapons. Do you agree?

19. War with Iraq (January 2003 Pew Research survey) • “Would you favor or oppose taking military action in Iraq to end Saddam Hussein’s rule” • 68% favored military action • 25% opposed military action • “Would you favor or oppose taking military action in Iraq to end Saddam Hussein’s rule even if it meant that U.S. forces might suffer thousands of casualties” • 43% favored • 48% opposed

20. 2005 Pew Research survey • 51% of respondents said they favored “making it legal for doctors to give terminally ill patients the means to end their lives” • 44% said they favored “making it legal for doctors to assist terminally ill patients in committing suicide”

21. FRQ Public opinion polls are a way to link the public with elected officials. Members of Congress often use polls to understand the views of their constituents, but they must also pay attention to other political considerations. • Identify two characteristics of a valid, scientific, public opinion poll. • Explain why each of the following enhances the influence of public opinion on the voting decisions of members of Congress. • Strong public opinion as expressed in polling results • Competitive re-elections • Explain why each of the following limits the influence of public opinion on the voting decisions of members of Congress. • Legislators’ voting records • Party leadership

22. Decline of trust in government

23. Political Participation

25. Types of Political Participation • Voting • Most common for Americans; especially in presidential elections • Protesting • Dramatic and unconventional • Civil disobedience • Contributing • Contacting • Campaigning • Running for office • Joining a political organization • Litigating • Chatting • Why would people choose to do each of these things?