Brainstorm a list of what you value.

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The widely-shared beliefs, values, and norms that citizens share about their government.

Rule of law

Warm Up1.Equality2.Justice3.Tolerance4.Self Reliance5.Community6.Freedom7.Democracy8.Stability9.Security10.Cooperation

EmploymentFreedom from unfair competition Housing, Medical care, Education, Social security

Divided GovernmentOne party does not control executive and Legislative branches

Effect

Distrust in Gov.Partisanship, Gridlock, Frustration

WHY?

“I am not a crook”

Vietnam

Clinton/LewinskyWatergate Divided Gov.

Democrats

Republicans

Cost of Elections$745 million

Political Efficacy

One’s own understanding and competence of government.

Has stayed steady through time

Belief one can have an impact on government

Has declined through time

What impact can a declining external political efficacy have on political behavior and why?

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• Abundant and fertile land• Property Rights• Countless opportunities to acquire land/make

living• Lack of feudal society• Independent spirit• To adapt Gov. to time and place

SalientEmotion attached

Dormant emerging

Uses:• Inform the public• Inform candidates• Inform office holders• Exit polls

Date Obama

McCain

AVERAGE X 45.9 43.3

ABC News National Polls

9/19-22 52 43

CNN National Polls 9/19-21 48 45

Cook Political Report National Polls

6/17/08 44 40

Democracy Corps National Polls

9/8-10 46 48

Diageo National Polls 8/29-31 48 39

Fox News National Polls

9/22-23 45 39

• Representative Sample

• Random Sampling• Respondent’s

Knowledge• Objective Wording• Accuracy: Straw

Poll

Rasmussen Tracking9/25 - 9/27 Obama 47 Romney 46

Early projections

Process in which people acquire their political beliefs

• Strongest• Fairly equal influence of mother and father• When differ, associate with closest parent• Impact of growing number of Independents

• Higher income More conservative and supportive of Republicans

• Lower incomes- More liberal and supportive of Democrats

2. Income

(ideology: conservative/liberal)

• Conflicting results• More education, more conservative

• College students more liberal than general population

• Most prestigious- most liberal

Whites: More conservative (more Republican)

Blacks: More liberal (strongest support of Democratic Party) >90%

Hispanics: Cubans v. Mexican Americans

Asians:

• Protestant: More conservative generally• Evangelicals more on social issues and econ• Catholic: Traditionally more liberal

(Economic) than on social issues (Abortion issue)

• Jewish: Most liberal (Strong support for the Democratic Party)

• 1900’sconservative• 1992 Year of the Woman• Clinton and Soccer Moms• Gender Gap: Sex sensitive issues, compare to past• Security Moms• NASCAR Dads

• Coastal Cities: environment• Urban areas: immigrants,

minorities• Solid South

• Rust Belt• Rural areas

(religion?)

Set of beliefs and values that shape a person’s view

• Limited role of govt.

• Govt. seen as chief threat to liberty

• Protect property rights

1. Classic Liberalism

• Expanded role of govt. (New Deal)

• Corporations seen as chief threat to liberty

• Need govt. to “smooth out the rough edges of capitalism”

• Role: protect people’s well being

Less likely to rely upon govt. to solve problemsNot as involved as “New Deal” liberals Edwards

• Reagan/Bush 41/ Bush 43• 104-109th Republican Congress• Strength in formally “Solid South”• Reversal in 1930’s trend to automatically

look to govt. to solve problems• Emphasis on private sector to solve

problems• Strong support for tax cuts

• Prayer in school

• Anti-Gay Marriage

• Anti-Abortion

• Emphasis on “free market”

• Free enterprise

• Means of production are in Gov. Hands• Land • Labor • Capital

Stickers and buttons

Comparison with other countries

U.S. Europe

Why?

Suffrage Qualifications

Religion & PropertyState Legislatures eliminated theseRace 15th Amend

Gender 19th Amend.

Income 24th Amend. Literacy

Voting Rights Act 1965

Age 21 26th Amend.

• Property restrictions (Andrew Jackson)• Race: 15th Amendment• Women: 19th Amendment• Income: 24th Amendment• Literacy: Voting Rights Act of 1965• Minimum age of 18: 26th Amendment

Impact of expansion

Less voting power per person

• Registration (motor voter Bill)• Long Ballot: Excessive number of

issues to vote on• Type of election: General, Primary,

midterm, state, delegates • Difficulty in obtaining absentee ballots• Too many elections: Ballot fatigue• Weekday, non-holiday voting

(Voting is a linkage institution, interest groups,political parties & media)

• Lack of political efficacy• Dissatisfaction with candidates, parties, etc.• Weakness of parties’ ability to mobilize voters

Don’t like either, so why vote?

• Level of Education: Level of edu. Highest predictor• Income: High vs. Low• Age: 18-24 lowest 45 and up highest• Race: White vs. minorities• Cross-cutting cleavages • Religious Involvement

Characteristics Of those likely to

Vote wealthEducation

RaceAge

In your opinion, what is the single most influential reason for not voting?

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Issue Liberal Position Conservative Position

Health Care It’s a right, government health plan

It’s a privilege, private plan, national clearinghouse for

insurance, H.S.A.Crime/Punish Rehabilitation, no Capital

PunishmentEye for an eye, Capital

PunishmentBusiness Reg. Regulation on

businessesFree market solutions,

deregulation

Military Spending

Decrease spending, smaller military

Increase spending, larger military

Taxes Tax increase on wealthy, progressive tax

Tax cuts, regressive tax, flat tax

Welfare Expand welfare, medicare, medicaid,

social security

Faith based initiatives, privatize social security