1. What is political culture? Cite examples of political cultures other than our own.

Transcription

1 READ NAME PERIOD 1. What is political culture? Cite examples of political cultures other than our own. 2. What five elements does your text identify as important to the American view of our political system? 3. How can we: - know that Americans share the values in the previous question? - explain contradictions between our values and behavior? - explain political conflict in America if we agree on basic values? 4. How does the text characterize two conflicting age groups of Americans? How does Table 4.1 on page 81 relate to this characterization?

2 5. Characterize the American view of our economic system. 6. Cite evidence for the longevity of our economic view. 7. In your words, compare America s political culture with those of Japan, Sweden and other countries. 8. Compare American and Swedish views on economic issues. 9. Compare America s religiosity to that of other countries. 10. Discuss religion in American politics.

3 READ NAME PERIOD 1. How have the following contributed to the development of America s political culture? - Concern for liberty and the colonial experience. - Protestant work ethic. - Egalitarian families. - Lack of class consciousness. 2. Explain the orthodox and progressive positions in the culture war. 3. What has happened to American confidence in American officials since the 1950 s? What are two explanations offered for this trend?

4 4. What is civil society? How does it relate to individuals and to trust in society? 5. Why are community leaders, lawyers and judges more tolerant than average citizens toward the seven groups listed on page 92? 6. Which is more tolerant of attitudes different from their own, extreme conservatives or extreme liberals?

5 READ NAME PERIOD 1. List four justifications for the following statement. Our government system was not intended to be in harmony with public opinion. 2. Present two arguments in support of the position that the founders did not intend to create a system run by public opinion. 3. Why would it be difficult to govern by public opinion, assuming that we would want to? 4. Define: random sample: sampling error: exit poll:

6 5. How do the opinions of elites relate to public opinion and government attention? 6. List four influences on people s political opinions. 7. Briefly (one paragraph each) describe the factors that influence public opinion. Genes: Family: Religion: Gender Gap:

7 READ NAME PERIOD 1. Describe the impact of each of the following cleavages in public opinion. social class: race/ethnicity: regional geography: 2. Describe the evolution of the terms liberal and conservative. 3. Define political ideology. 4. What portions of our population are moderate, conservative and liberal? 5. What three problems concerning culture and ideology sometimes arise in polling? 6. What is political typology? Refer to Table 7.4 on page 167 for examples. 7. In what two ways do elites shape public opinion?

8 READ PAGES NAME PEROID 1. Explain the differences among voting age population, registered voters and election turnout. 2. How does the U.S. compare to other democracies in terms of voter turnout of voting age population?... voter turnout of registered voters? 3. Why are Americans such poor voters? 4. What reasons are most commonly given by registered voters for not voting? 5. What other explanations could there be for Americans poor voter participation? 6. Which level of government was most in charge of elections in the early years of America s history? 7. What has happened to voter turnout since the turn of the last century? 8. Which party probably would benefit most from a huge increase in voter turnout? Why will this probably never happen?

9 READ NAME PERIOD 1. List and describe the 6 types of U.S. citizens first described by Verba and Nie. (p.184) 2. According to Figure 8.3 on page 185 which characteristics are best predictors of high voter turnout?... of low voter turnout? 3. How does religion impact political behavior? (p.186) 4. How might the different number of voting opportunities in the U.S. and in other countries impact voter turnout? 5. How does being Hispanic and going to church impact participation?