1 The Public Opinion and Political Action Chapter 6
Learning Objectives Describe the process of political socialization and identify the primary agents of socialization. Understand the implications for political change of the movement toward a new minority majority. Contrast the relative positions of minority groups in the American political and economic spheres. Identify the political implications of an increasingly elderly population. Identify the political beliefs that encompass political participation in the United States.
Introduction 3 Public Opinion The distribution of the population s beliefs about politics and policy issues. Demography The science of population changes. Census- a count of the people A valuable tool for understanding population changes- required every 10 years.
The American People 4 The Immigrant Society Wave 1: Before the late 19 th centurynorthwestern Europeans. Wave 2: During the late 19 th centurysouthern and eastern Europeans. Wave 3: Recent decades- Hispanics from Central America & Mexico. Asians from Vietnam, Korea, etc.
The American People: Population Trends 5
The American People The American Melting Pot Melting Pot: The mixing of cultures, ideas and peoples that has changed the American nation. Political Culture: An overall set of values widely shared within a society. Minority Majority- minorities will pass 50% of population by mid century African Americans: legacy of racism & discrimination 6
Hispanics: 7 illegal immigration / Simpson-Mazzoli: employers must document the citizenship of their employees Hispanic population will outnumber the black population in the early 21 st Century. Asians: most highly skilled immigrant group in U.S. history The best off financially of America s minority groups Native Americans The poorest, least educated The worst off of America s minority groups
The American People The Regional Shift Demographic changes are associated with political changes. Reapportionment: The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census. Population changes from rust belt states to sunbelt states. 8
The American People 9 The Graying of America Fastest growing group is over 65 People are living longer as a result of medical advances, and our birthrate has dropped. Potential drain on Social Security by 2020 New political interests have been mobilized under the umbrella of Gray Power A higher percentage of older citizens vote in elections. They desire tax breaks and service benefits One advantage that no other group has- we are all going to get older
How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization 10 Political Socialization: the process through which an individual acquires [their] particular political orientation The Agents of Political Socialization The Family Time & emotional commitment Political leanings of children often mirror their parent s leanings
How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization The Mass Media Generation gap in TV news viewing Commercials aimed at older viewers TV replaces parents as the chief source of news as kids get older. 11
School / Education Governments use schools to instill a commitment to the basic values of the system. Used by government to socialize the young into the culture and they have better jobs and a more positive view of government 12
How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization 13 Political Learning Over a Lifetime Political behavior is to some degree learned behavior. Governments largely aim their socialization efforts at the young because one s political orientations grow firmer as one becomes more socialized with age.
Understanding Political Socialization 14 Socialization Agents (Major influences on how one perceives the world around him) -Family -Education -Religion -Group Associations -Events -Region -Socio-economic status -Race & ethnicity -Media -Peers IMPACTS Political Socialization The ongoing process whereby individuals acquire the information, opinions, attitudes, and values that help comprehend the workings of the political system and orient themselves within it. DETERMINES Political Ideology A set of consistent and interrelated attitudes that shape judgments about, and reactions to political issues
Political Culture 15 A political culture is a set of basic values and beliefs about a country or government that is shared by most citizens. Example: most Americans believe freedom is precious. Beliefs about political culture influence political opinions and behaviors.
16 American Democratic Values Political culture includes a common set of beliefs and attitudes about government and politics. This political culture translates into a consensus of basic concepts that support democracy.
Basic Concepts of American Political Culture 17 Majority rule/minority rights Equality of all before the law and in the political process. Private property: ownership of property is protected by law and supported by our capitalist economic system.
18 Individual freedom Compromise: allows for combining of different interests to form the best public policy. Limited government: powers of government are restricted in our democracy by the will of the people and by the law.
Political Socialization The process by which citizens acquire a sense of political identity. It is a complex process Begins early in childhood and continues throughout a person s life. You become aware of politics, learn political facts, and form political values and opinions. People are exposed to a combination of influences that shape their political identities and opinions. 19
20 Common Agents of Political Socialization Family and home Strongest when both parents identify with the same political party. Schools: teach patriotism and basic governmental functions and structures. Group affiliations Provide common bonds between people
Demographic Factors Occupation, race, ethnicity, sex, income, education, area of country Mass Media: Informs the public about issues Helps set the political and public agendas Opinion Leaders May formally, or informally exercise influence. Events may instill positive or negative attitudes. 21
22 The Formation of Public Opinion
Learning Objectives Outline the components that are essential if one wants to obtain accuracy in public opinion polling. Evaluate the role of polls in American democracy. Evaluate how the American political system works as well as it does given the lack of public knowledge about politics.
24 Public Opinion Public opinion is the distribution of people s beliefs about politics and policy issues. Because of America s pluralistic society, there is rarely a single public opinion. Public opinion is one of the products of political learning.
Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information 25 How Polls Are Conducted 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. Most polling is now done on the telephone. What about cell phones that are not listed?
Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information 26 The Role of Polls in American Democracy Polls help politicians figure out public preferences. Does it make politicians think more about following the polls? is polling a tool for democracy or a distortion of the process? Exit Polls- used by the media to predict election day winners. Do pollsters alter poll results by changing the wording of questions?
Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information 27 What Polls Reveal About Americans Political Information The average American has a low level of political knowledge. The Decline of Trust in Government Now only about 25% of the public trust the government most of the time or always.
What Americans Value: Political Ideologies Political Ideology: A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. Ideological thinking is not widespread in the American public. People are not consistent in their attitudes. Ideology is not an important concept to most Americans. Ideologue- a person who thinks consistently in ideological terms. Only about 20% of Americans are ideologues. Most people think in terms of how policies affect groups they like or dislike. 28
Liberals and Conservatives 29 Who Are the Liberals and Conservatives? Views change over time Currently about 42% conservative, 25% liberal, 34% moderate. People of higher socioeconomic classes tend to be conservative. This trend is declining.
What Americans Value: Political Ideologies Liberals: Less military spending Opposed to prayer in schools Favor affirmative action Tax the rich more Solve the problems that cause crime 30 Conservatives: More military spending Support prayer in schools Oppose affirmative action Keep taxes low Should stop coddling criminals
What Americans Value: Political Ideologies Has There Been a Turn Toward Conservatism? (not really) Swing voters care more about results than ideology. Ronald Reagan was most conservative president since the New Deal. People liked Reagan, but not his policies. Because of economic downturn, swing voters propelled Clinton into the White House. 31
How Americans Participate in Politics Political Participation: All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue. Conventional Participation Voting in elections: 51% in 2000 Presidential; less in local elections (FBG 18-20%) Working in campaigns / running for office Contacting elected officials 32
33 Unconventional Political Participation Protest as Participation Protest: A form of political participation designed to achieve policy changes through dramatic and unconventional tactics. Civil disobedience: A form of political participation that reflects a conscious decision to break a law believed to be immoral and to suffer the consequences. Can be non-violent (King 1960 s) or violent (some Vietnam era protests in 1960 s)
Political Participation In the U.S., participation is a class-based activity. Citizens of higher socioeconomic status participate more than others. Minority groups like Hispanics and African Americans are below average in terms of political participation. When we compare blacks, Hispanics, & whites of equal incomes, minorities participate more in politics. 34
How Americans Participate in Politics Class, Inequality, and Participation by Income Status 35
Understanding Public Opinion and Political Action Public Attitudes Toward the Scope of Government Many people haven t thought about it. Democracy, Public Opinion, and Political Action We select our leaders, not policies. We protest for specific policies, not seek to overthrow the government. Americans are ideological conservatives but operational liberals. 36
The media plays an important role in the formation of public opinion. How the media reports on an event, and whether they report on an event, is critically important. The public responds to events that are brought to their attention 37