AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE Political culture is the distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be executed. Political culture is the distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be executed. In the U.S., we had few legal restraints after the Revolutionary War, we had a western expansion that provided vast opportunities, and a nation of mostly small, independent farmers. In the U.S., we had few legal restraints after the Revolutionary War, we had a western expansion that provided vast opportunities, and a nation of mostly small, independent farmers. Core elements of American political culture: liberty, equality (for white males anyway), democracy, civic duty, and individual responsibility. Core elements of American political culture: liberty, equality (for white males anyway), democracy, civic duty, and individual responsibility. Comparing the U.S. model of democracy with other industrialized examples: Comparing the U.S. model of democracy with other industrialized examples:  In Sweden, society tends to defer to the government government decisions are rarely challenged in court; there is a genuine belief in what is best rather than what people want, and they value harmony/obligation.

AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE Comparing the U.S. model of democracy with other industrialized examples: Comparing the U.S. model of democracy with other industrialized examples:  In Japan, society values good relations with one another, emphasis on group decisions/social harmony (societal rights vs. individual rights), and a clear respect for the hierarchy of authority. Mistrust of Government (Since 1960’s) Mistrust of Government (Since 1960’s)  Polls show: diminished trust in Congress, crisis of confidence, causes (Vietnam, Watergate, Iran-Contra, Zippergate, & Iraq).  No loss of confidence exists in the system of government, just specific leaders and policies. Clearly, cultural differences affect political and economic systems. Clearly, cultural differences affect political and economic systems.

AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE Political Efficacy Political Efficacy  Citizen’s capacity to understand and influence political events.  Internal: confidence in one’s ability.  External: Belief that system will respond to citizens, this however has been on the decline since 1960’s; today, most believe that government is too big to be responsive to individual needs.  Overall: efficacy, especially internal, is higher in the U.S. as compared with most other industrialized nations. Political Tolerance is CRITICAL Political Tolerance is CRITICAL  Promotes free discussion of ideas.  Even though we disagree on big issues, we can agree to disagree.

Who Governs? -How does public opinion in America today vary by race, gender and other differences? -What is political ideology, and how does it affect political behavior and influence public policy? To What Ends? -What role did the Framers of the Constitution think public opinion should play in American democracy? -When, if ever, should public policies mirror majority opinion? CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC OPINION

Public Opinion – how people think or feel about a particular issue, candidate, or elected official. Public Opinion – how people think or feel about a particular issue, candidate, or elected official. Conflicting Public Opinion & Public Policy Conflicting Public Opinion & Public Policy  Most democrats and republicans agree that we should lower the national debt or stop deficit spending, yet the federal government cannot achieve that policy goal.  Most voters agree that members of Congress should have term limits, however, there has been no push to amend the Constitution. So why then does public policy not mirror public opinion? So why then does public policy not mirror public opinion?  Framers intended government to achieve certain goals (…form a more perfect Union…).  Measuring public opinion is difficult and likely to change given current events.

CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC OPINION Public Opinion – how people think or feel about a particular issue, candidate, or elected official. Public Opinion – how people think or feel about a particular issue, candidate, or elected official. Poll – survey of public opinion by asking questions of a representative sample. Poll – survey of public opinion by asking questions of a representative sample. Random Sample – method of selecting from a population in which each person has an equal probability of being selected. If truly random, 1,500 can reflect the opinion of 300 million Random Sample – method of selecting from a population in which each person has an equal probability of being selected. If truly random, 1,500 can reflect the opinion of 300 million Sampling Error – the difference between the results of two different surveys or samples. Sampling Error – the difference between the results of two different surveys or samples. Exit Polls – polls based on interviews conducted on Election Day with randomly selected voters. Exit Polls – polls based on interviews conducted on Election Day with randomly selected voters.

CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC OPINION Origins of Political Attitudes Origins of Political Attitudes  Family  Religion  Gender  Education/Income Cleavages in Public Opinion Cleavages in Public Opinion  Social Class – less important in U.S. than abroad  Race & Ethnicity – similarities and differences among the races are complex and differences also exist within each racial/ethnic group.  Regional Factors – white southerners are very conservative, while out west people tend to be more liberal, and regions have shifted over time (the south used to be predominately democratic).

CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC OPINION Political Ideology – consistent set of political beliefs about who ought to rule, the principles rulers ought to obey, and what policies rulers ought to pursue. Political Ideology – consistent set of political beliefs about who ought to rule, the principles rulers ought to obey, and what policies rulers ought to pursue.  Liberalism – originally for personal and economic liberty, has evolved since New Deal to pursue an activist government and policies.  Conservatism – originally wanted to restore power of government, church, and elite class, has evolved in response to liberalism to favor free markets, states rights, and economic liberty.  Various categories of public opinion – economic policy (liberals favor jobs for all, socialized medical care, and taxes on rich), civil rights (liberals favor strong federal involvement in integrating society as well as strict enforcement of civil rights law), and public/political conduct (liberals are more tolerant of protesting, favor legalization of marijuana, protecting the rights of the accused, and seek a reduction in crime by addressing its causes, not just punishing behavior).

CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC OPINION Political Elites Political Elites  Influence public opinion in two ways: 1. raise and frame political issues (agenda) 2. stating norms by which to settle issues and define policy options (gives them control over policy options (gives them control over acceptable and unacceptable policy options) acceptable and unacceptable policy options)  Limits to elite influence on public opinion: they lack personal experience concerning economic/crime/social problems and they frequently disagree with one another over policy objectives.

Who Governs? -Who votes? -Why do some people participate in politics at higher rates than others? To What Ends? -How did the framers of the Constitution think average citizens should participate in America’s representative democracy? -Should today’s college-age citizens participate more in politics? CHAPTER 8: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Voting-Age Population – Since 1996, about 50-60% of U.S. citizens eligible to vote have registered to vote. Voting-age includes all citizens who are eligible to vote after reaching the age of 18. Look at Table 8.1 on page 180. Voting-Age Population – Since 1996, about 50-60% of U.S. citizens eligible to vote have registered to vote. Voting-age includes all citizens who are eligible to vote after reaching the age of 18. Look at Table 8.1 on page 180. Historical perspective on the voting and the suffrage movement Historical perspective on the voting and the suffrage movement 1. Originally, white male land owners 2. Former male slaves (15 th Amendment) 3. All Women (19 th Amendment) 4. End restrictions on the right to vote – poll taxes & literacy tests (Voting Rights Act of 1965) 5. Voting Age lowered to 18 (26 th Amendment)

CHAPTER 8: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Why does the U.S. have so many nonvoters? Why does the U.S. have so many nonvoters?  Apathy? That’s part of the problem, but actually its more of a policy issue.  The problem involves how we register voters. Historically, the policy has been to require citizens to figure out how and where to register and vote. In 1993 Congress enacted the Motor-Voter Law. Within two weeks, 630,000 new registered voters were created in 27 states.  Again, like gauging public opinion, it depends upon how you analyze the stats. Evolution of the American Electorate Evolution of the American Electorate  Initially a state issue, the feds have gradually implemented legislation to foster national parity regarding voting policy.  Suffrage for African Americans, women, and ultimately by age.  Other restrictions in response to suffrage were also addressed by the Supreme Court and Congress. Literacy tests, poll taxes, and white primaries all have been abolished.

CHAPTER 8: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Historical Restrictions on Voting Historical Restrictions on Voting  Literacy Tests – requirement that citizens demonstrate they can read before registering to vote.  Poll Tax – requirement that citizens pay a tax in order to register to vote.  Grandfather Clause – clause allowing people who voted before 1867 to register, even if they fail to meet the new requirements (see above)  White Primary – Practice of keeping blacks from voting in southern states’ primaries through the arbitrary use of registration requirements and intimidation.  Gov’t Issued ID (Recent Trend) – Right to vote contingent upon having valid, current gov’t issued ID. (Video Clip)

CHAPTER 8: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION So, who participates in the political process? So, who participates in the political process?  By far, age 45 and older, college graduates, and whites are the most active in the political process.  Note, however, that the number of college graduates voting has been declining. Some factors explaining this phenomenon include: lack of voter mobilization by the major parties (this trend is changing among democrats), structural impediments to the registration process, voting is not costless, and a general attitude that elections really don’t matter. Should we fine or penalize nonvoters? Should we fine or penalize nonvoters?  Australia and Italy both have taken drastic measures in response to historically low voter turnout. Australia actually fines (about $ 50), and in some rare instances, imprisons those who do not vote. Italy actually stamps government identification papers “DID NOT VOTE.”  The argument against compulsory voting and penalizing nonvoters is that those people do suffer, since policies enacted rarely favor their interests.

Who Governs? -How has America’s two-party system changed, and how does it differ from the party systems of other representative democracies? -How much do parties affect how Americans vote? To What Ends? -Did the Founding Fathers think political parties were a good idea? -How, if at all, should America’s two-party system be reformed? CHAPTER 9: POLITICAL PARTIES

WHAT IS A POLITICAL PARTY & WHAT DO THEY DO? A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office. Political Parties do the following: 1. Nominate candidates (to run for office) 2. Inform and activate supporters (spread information to voters) 3. Bonding agent (candidates will be qualified & good character) 4. Watchdog (when out of power, watches party in power) 5. Govern (upon winning elections, they run government)

POLITICAL PARTIES A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office. Primary Parties Republicans – advocate for smaller federal government, less government spending, stronger military defense, reduction in welfare/entitlement programs Democrats – advocate for large federal government, more government spending, maintenance/increase in welfare/entitlement programs.

POLITICAL PARTIES A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office. Minor Parties Ideological – Socialist, Communist parties Single Issue – Right to Life, Marijuana Economic Protest – Populist Splinter – Progressive, Tea Party Movement Minor parties are of value for the following reasons: can alert primary parties as to important social/political movements, can split one primary party’s vote ensuring it’s defeat, single issue parties can often advocate for an innovative public policy that one of the primary parties will eventually adopt.

POLITICAL PARTIES Critical or Realignment Period – periods when a major, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties. Realignment occurs when one major party loses so badly (federalists in 1800) and a new one emerges or if the voters shift support to the other party (Democrats under Roosevelt). Possible realignment for Republicans if they lose this November? Split Ticket – voting for candidates of different parties for various offices in the same election. Straight Ticket – voting for candidates from the same party. Primary Election – voting that determines who shall be on the ballot for various elected offices in the general election. General Election – voting for candidates of competing political parties to determine who shall govern in an elected position.