Conservatism and Political Participation Lecture 6-3

Which of the following agents will have the greatest effect on a person’s political ideology and party ID? a)Religion b)Schools c)Television d)Family

Which of the following agents will have the greatest effect on a person’s political ideology and party ID? a)Religion b)Schools c)Television d)Family

The agents of political socialization include all of the following EXCEPT a)community and peers. b)high culture. c)school. d)family. e)the mass media.

The agents of political socialization include all of the following EXCEPT a)community and peers. b)high culture. c)school. d)family. e)the mass media.

Public opinion polls about politics will be most reliable if they a)survey only the people who are interested in the subject. b)are based on simple yes-or-no questions. c)are conducted like a straw poll. d)rely on random sampling.

Public opinion polls about politics will be most reliable if they a)survey only the people who are interested in the subject. b)are based on simple yes-or-no questions. c)are conducted like a straw poll. d)rely on random sampling.

Political socialization is a)the ability to speak with people who identify with a different political party than that with which you identify. b)one’s earliest memory of a president or other political figure. c)the complex process by which people acquire national citizenship. d)the complex process by which people acquire their political values. e)one’s identification with a political party or other political group.

Political socialization is a)the ability to speak with people who identify with a different political party than that with which you identify. b)one’s earliest memory of a president or other political figure. c)the complex process by which people acquire national citizenship. d)the complex process by which people acquire their political values. e)one’s identification with a political party or other political group.

A specific world view that is used to form opinions about political issues is called __________. a)political party b)political opinion c)political ideology d)political socialization e)political power

A specific world view that is used to form opinions about political issues is called __________. a)political party b)political opinion c)political ideology d)political socialization e)political power

Early American Conservatism Conservatism doubts and distrusts the capacity of individuals to use government to achieve a better life. Looking back to Edmond Burke, conservatism emphasizes the value of tradition and established practices as guides for the future

Early American Conservatism John Adams and Alexander Hamilton were leading figures in early American conservatism They doubted the wisdom of too much rule by the people and thought that widely held property would produce a natural aristocracy of talent

Early American Conservatism This aristocracy would be the governing class. Early conservatives therefore favored property qualifications for voting

Conservatism and the Industrial Age Thinkers like Herbert Spencer and William Grahm Sumner advocated laissez-faire economics Their ideas led to social Darwinism, which frowned on governmental aid to the needy Conservatism became the ideology of the American business class and of those aspiring to enter it

Contemporary Conservatism Mainly defined by opposing the Welfare State By opposing modern liberal social programs, conservatives have been able to appeal to much of the middle class Found mainly in the Republican party

Neoconservatism Some liberal have become neoconservatives who believe that modern liberalism has overestimated the ability of government to solve social and economic problems They oppose many affirmative action programs and believe that modern liberalism no longer speaker for the common people but for a new class of affluent reformers and those who benefit from their programs. Neoconservatives also want the government to play a more assertive roles in foreign policy, using military force when necessary.

Motives of political participation Political efficacy –Internal Belief that you can take part in politics –External Belief that the government will respond to the citizenry Party identification Nonpolitical Motivation –Economic - Fines

Forms of Participation Following and discussing Politics Contacting Public Officials Protests (legal/illegal) Marches, Rallies, Riots Boycotts Picketing Political Violence – Terrorism, Assassination

Forms of Participation Politically Motivated Crimes –Bribery Blackmail Civil Disobedience

Who participates? Generally, the more wealthy a person is the more likely he or she is to participate. Whites typically participate more that non-white. Minorities, when adjusted for income, participate more than whites

How Much do Americans Participate in Political Life When looking solely at voting American participate (ie vote) less often than citizens in other democracies When looking at all forms of participation, Americans participate as much or more than citizen in other democracies

Rationally of Political Participation Rational actor model – citizen weights the costs and benefits of participation Non-conventional participation may prove to be a rational political strategy for some groups and individuals

Most Americans a)do not participate in politics. b)vote in all elections. c)are involved in civil disobedience. d)participate in limited ways in politics.

Most Americans a)do not participate in politics. b)vote in all elections. c)are involved in civil disobedience. d)participate in limited ways in politics.

Which of the following statements best expresses the reality of political participation in the United States? a)Political participation in the United States is a lot lower than in other democratic countries. b)Voting turnout proves that Americans are very active participants in politics. c)Considering all forms of participation, Americans are quite politically active. d)Most Americans are complete activists when it comes to politics.

Which of the following statements best expresses the reality of political participation in the United States? a)Political participation in the United States is a lot lower than in other democratic countries. b)Voting turnout proves that Americans are very active participants in politics. c)Considering all forms of participation, Americans are quite politically active. d)Most Americans are complete activists when it comes to politics.

Who is more likely to participate in American politics? a)Young people more than people over fifty b)Older people more than people under twenty-five c)Poor people more than wealthy people d)Independents more than political party members

Who is more likely to participate in American politics? a)Young people more than people over fifty b)Older people more than people under twenty-five c)Poor people more than wealthy people d)Independents more than political party members

21) Which of the following groups would be LEAST likely to vote in a typical election? A) middle-class minority voters B) poor white voters C) rich white voters D) poor minority voters E) rich minority voters

21) Which of the following groups would be LEAST likely to vote in a typical election? A) middle-class minority voters B) poor white voters C) rich white voters D) poor minority voters E) rich minority voters