Public Opinion and Political Action

Chapter 6

The distribution of the populations’ belief about politics and policy issues reflects the differences among American people

Problems: people are not often informed the less informed are less likely to vote

What is Public Opinion?

Demography = the science of human population changes census

Census Bureau 1990 = 4.7 million not counted

Department of commerce vs. US House of Representatives (1990)

The American People

Immigrant Society United States is a nation of immigrants.

“ not merely a nation, but a nation of nations” – JFK Three waves of immigration:

Northwestern Europeans (prior to late 19th Century) Southern and eastern Europeans (late 19th and early

20th centuries) Hispanics and Asians (late 20th century)

American melting Pot Melting pot = mixture of cultures, ideas, and people

that has change the nation Minority majority = America will soon stop being a

predominant Anglo-Saxon majority Non – Caucasian majority

Political culture is an overall set of values widely shared within a society.

The American People

2000 census 69% white 12 % black 13% Hispanics 4% Asian 1% Natives

2010 72% white

64% white not of Hispanic decent

13% black 16% Hispanic 5% Asian <1% Native

The # of blacks has been outnumbers by Hispanics

Minorities = 30% of population

The American Melting Pot (continued) Racial disadvantages African Americans face a legacy of racism.

24% of African Americans in poverty vs. 10% of whites in poverty

Hispanics Faced with problem of illegal immigration Simpson – Mazzoli Act: requires employers document

citizenship of employee Asians

professionals Native Americans

Only 4 million in the nation ½ live below the poverty line

The American People

The Regional Shift Population shift from

east to west Reapportionment: the

process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census

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Graying America 65 yrs old = fastest growing age Drain on Social Security

Pay as you go system In 1942 – 42 workers per retiree In 2040 – 2 workers per retiree

Political Socialization: “the process through which and individual acquires

[their] particular political orientation” Orientation grow firmer with age

The Process of Political Socialization The Family

Political leanings of children often mirror their parents’ leanings

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How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization

The Process of Political Socialization (continued) The Mass Media

Chief source of information as children age Generation gap is viewing television news

School Used by government to socialize young into political culture Better-educated citizens are more likely to vote and are

more knowledgeable about politics and policy. Political Learning Over a Lifetime

Aging increases political participation and strength of party attachment.

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How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization

Political ideology = coherent set of values and beliefs about Public Policy

Liberals vs Conservatives Predominance of conservative over liberal

thinking Currently about 38% conservative, 24% liberal,

38% moderate Gender gap: women tend to be less conservative than

men Ideological variation by religion too

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies

Who are liberals and conservatives Older vs. younger Minorities Gender gap Financial status Religion

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies

Do People Think in Ideological Terms? Ideologues: think in

ideological terms Group Benefits voters:

view politics through party or group label

Nature of the Times: view of politics based on whether times are good or bad

No issue content: vote routinely for party or personality

How Polls Are Conducted Sample: a small proportion of people who are chosen

in a survey to be representative of the whole 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

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Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information

The Role of Polls in American Democracy Polls help politicians detect public preferences. But critics say polls make politicians think more about

following than leading public Even though politicians do not track opinion to

make policy Question wording may affect survey results Polls may distort election process

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Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information

The Role of Polls in American Democracy (continued) Exit Polls: used by the media to predict election day

winners May discourage people from voting 2000 Presidential election Bush vs. Gore 2012 Presidential election Obama vs. Kerry

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Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information

What Polls Reveal About Americans’ Political Information Americans don’t know much about politics. Americans may know their basic beliefs but not how

that affects policies of the government. The Decline of Trust in Government

Since 1964, trust in government has declined. Trust in government has gone up somewhat

since September 11.

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Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information

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Political Participation Activities in which citizens engage to influence the

selection of political leaders or policies to pursue Conventional Participation

Voting, campaigning, contacting officials Unconventional Participation

Protest, Civil Disobedience Political elites

Activists, party leader, interest group leaders, judges, members of Congress

How Americans participate in Politics

Class, Inequality, and Participation

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Public Attitudes Toward the Scope of Government Many people have no opinion about scope of

government. Public opinion is inconsistent, which may lead to

policy gridlock. Democracy, Public Opinion, and Political

Action Americans select leaders, but do they do so wisely? If people know little about candidates’ issues, how

can they? People vote more for performance than policy.

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Understanding Public Opinion and Political Action

American society is ethnically diverse and changing.

Knowing public opinion is important to a democracy, just as polling has costs and benefits.

Americans know little about politics. Political participation is generally low.

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Summary