Video Notes Unit 2 Political Beliefs & Behaviors Name Class Period
Name: AP Gov Review: Video #7, Citizens Beliefs About Government And Leaders Big Idea Questions What is the elitism view of government? Guided Notes Political Efficacy What is it? Faith and belief in the The higher one s political efficacy, the more likely that person is to And vice- versa Many Americans have a lack of political efficacy Basic American Political Beliefs As a whole, Americans tend to believe in the following: equality Free (capitalism) Equality for Mistrust of government (Post- ) Political Equality Political Equality has been a major focus in the last half of the 20th century Most Americans believe in political equality and support government protection of it Political equality has extended more to minority groups than it has women Failed Free Enterprise Most Americans believe in the free enterprise system Government should protect an individual s right to pursue Some argue the government has gone too far in promoting businesses Connect to view Equality For Opportunities Although most Americans favor political equality, many do NOT support equality provide political and social equality, but NOT economic Areas of Concern
Examples: 14th: protection 15th: universal suffrage 17th: direct election of US 19th: suffrage 24th: outlawed taxes 26th: lowered voting age to Mistrust Of Government What is stagflation? Seasonal vs. structural distrust Seasonal - temporary, decline due to Structural - overall distrust, regardless of economy;, not temporary Since the 1960s, there has been structural distrust in the US government in the 1970s Increasing In recent years, government distrust has increased to +%! After, the public trust in government increased, albeit temporarily Quick Recap Test Tips Multiple- Choice: Free Response:
Name: AP Gov Review: Video #8, Process By Which Citizens Learn About Politics (Political Socialization) Big Idea Questions Do your political beliefs match up with your family s? Guided Notes Political Socialization What is it? The process in which people gain their (orientation) Over time, political beliefs tends to become more For this reason, regimes often try to influence the Ways Individuals Are Politically Socialized 1. 2. 3. #1: Family and Political Socialization Family plays an important way in which people are politically socialized Often, it is done in an setting Parents do not often state why they have their political beliefs Children often pick up on their beliefs over time Most young people will based on the political beliefs of their #2: Media This outlet is playing an increasingly important role in recent years News is being absorbed less through compared to the past, especially for youth The median age of nightly news broadcasts is! Other forms of mass media are influencing individuals - could lead to issues of credibility, bias, etc. #3: School Schools help promote national unity Schools help promote individuals to support the country s political system American schools tend to support ideas such as In totalitarian governments, schools can be used to promote Most schools in America are public, and financed by the government Areas of Concern
Teachers are by the government The more educated people are, the more likely they are to in an election Political Participation Over Time Why are the elderly more likely to vote? Generally speaking, citizens are more likely to participate in politics as they Additionally, party increases with age as well The highest percentage of voters comes from those that are and older Quick Recap Test Tips Multiple- Choice: Free Response:
Name: AP Gov Review: Video #9, Public Opinion Big Idea Questions Guided Notes Public Opinion What is it? How the public views certain issues, events, people, etc. How is public opinion measured? Via, which sample the population Polls began the practice of polling in America (1930s) How are polls administered? The take a sample of the population - as little as people **Characteristics of Effective Polls:** 1) - very important to insure accuracy 2) - Random samples should reflect society as a whole (just over 50% female, 13% black, etc.) 3) - around 3% error How would you rate the president s job performance? vs. Do you agree with most Americans that the president is doing a poor job? How accurate are polls? It is an estimation, but almost every time, they are accurate within % This is known as Usually, the larger the poll audience, the the margin of error Polls In Government Positives of polls: They can help politicians determine what is to the public Politicians can stay in touch with Criticisms of polls: Some argue politicians are influenced by polls, not leaders Polls may create a effect Exit Poll - used on day Areas of Concern
Candidates are declared winners even though millions on the still have to vote - believed to discourage voting of questions can change the response of individuals What Do Polls Reveal About Americans? Many Americans have a with politics Less than % can identify their in the House Since the 1970s ( ), Americans trust in government has significantly Exception - after Many Americans are weary of government Quick Recap Test Tips Multiple- Choice: Characteristics of effective polling All of the following are examples EXCEPT Criticisms of polling Free Response: Public opinion and Congress - 2011 Free Response Characteristics of polls
Name: AP Gov Review: Video #10, Participation In Politics Big Idea Questions Guided Notes Political Participation What is it? Two major ways to participate: Conventional Participation Unconventional Participation Conventional Participation Conventional Participation Traditional ways of influencing government Examples include: Most Americans only partake in as a forms of participation The number of individuals is increasing in recent years Unconventional Participation Unconventional Participation method to achieve a goal Examples include: Protests are often covered by the media Civil Disobedience: Dates back to and the Mexican- American War Influenced MLK Jr. Sit- ins, - ins, - ins, etc. Saw successes in the Civil Rights Movement A Closer Look At Participation Socioeconomic Status and Participation: In general, those that are in a higher socioeconomic status participate in politics Individuals with higher incomes are more likely to to politicians Race and Participation: Areas of Concern
For the most part, blacks and whites in close numbers (in LA, 60% of whites voted, 54% of blacks) With equal levels of, blacks vote slightly more than whites Age and Participation: Americans vote less often than the elderly (political efficacy - next video) Quick Recap Test Tips Multiple- Choice: Free Response:
Name: AP Gov Review: Video #11, Citizens Political Beliefs Big Idea Questions Would you consider yourself a liberal or conservative? Guided Notes What Are Beliefs Citizens Hold About Government? Citizens beliefs about the government and its role are often based on their What is political ideology? Two major political ideologies: What Makes Someone A Liberal? In general, liberals support a scope of government and government involvement Also favor policies that promote equality ( ) Beliefs of Liberals: Military spending should Abortion - pro- Favor Affirmative Action Advocate higher taxes for Increased spending on programs What Makes Someone A Conservative? In general, conservatives support a scope of government and government involvement Also favor policies that promote free enterprise Beliefs of Conservatives: Military spending should be Abortion - pro- Oppose Affirmative Action Advocate taxes spending on social programs A Closer Look At Liberals And Conservatives More Americans identify with Those under identify more with liberal than conservative African Americans identify more as liberal than conservative Government laws of the 1960s increased voter participation for minorities - Women tend to be more than men Areas of Concern
Religion and Ideology: The specific religion is less important in determining ideology, but rather, an individual is Born- Again Christians tend to be, those with little/no religious affiliation tend to be Quick Recap Test Tips Multiple- Choice: Free Response: