Unit 2 US Political Culture

American Democratic Values

Democracy is based on majority rule, but minority rights must be guaranteed. Equality of every individual before the law and political process. Ownership of private property is protected by law and supported by capitalism

Guarantee of individual freedoms and protections from infringements on them Compromise of different interest and opinions in forming public policy that is best for all. Limited government by the will of the people and the law.

Political Socialization Process by which citizens acquire a sense of political identity. Complex process, begins early in childhood and continues throughout a person’s life. Allows citizens to become aware of politics, learn political facts, form values and opinions.

Influences on Political Opinion Family and home have the strongest influence on political identification Schools teach patriotism, basic govt. functions, encourages political participation Group affiliations (interest groups, labor unions, professional organizations) create common political bonds

Demographic factors (occupation, race, gender, age, religion, region of country, income, education, ethnicity) Mass media Opinion leaders are those held in great respect because of position, expertise, or personality Events – Watergate caused mistrust of govt., 9/11 caused an increase in patriotism

Read “Political Socialization: The Family” (Page 158-159) How do you think that political socialization has changed in the United States over the past 20 years? Do you closely identify with the same political party as your parents/guardians? What of your views are similar and different than theirs? How do you think your political views might change as you get older?

Political Ideology

Economic Ideology Libertarian – Reduce the size and role of government. Decrease taxes, fewer govt. regulations on business, reduce govt. spending, eliminate minimum wage, allow free market to regulate itself Collectivist – Increase taxes, especially on the rich, increase govt. spending, increase govt. regulations on business, expand minimum wage laws and workers’ rights, environment over business

Social Ideology Conservative – US is a nation founded on Judeo-Christian laws, govt. should play a greater role in moral/values, ban abortions, outlaw same-sex marriages, teach religion in school, harsher punishments for crimes, increase military Liberal – Civil rights and liberties are more important than values/morals of majority, pro-choice, same-sex marriage legalized, clear separation of church and state, protect the rights of the accused, reduce military role overseas

Economic Collectivist Social Conservative True Conservative Populist Economic Collectivist Economic Libertarian True Liberal Libertarian Social Liberal

American Political Culture: Wilson text, pages 86-91 Explain what the authors describe as “the culture war.” How do the two major sides in the “war” differ? Why has this “war” acquired a special importance today? State and justify your own reaction to the author’s contention that mistrust of government in the US isn’t really as severe as it is sometimes thought to be. Explain what is meant by the different sorts of political efficacy and relate both to your own personal feelings.

Gender, Religion and Politics

Gender Since 1980, a greater percentage of eligible women voters have gone to the polls than men In the 2008 presidential election: Women – 60.4% voted Men – 55.7% voted Women are more likely to vote Democrat, men more likely to vote Republican

Religion Religion has always played a major role in American politics and is among the most religious nations in the world. There is no mention of separation of church and state in the United States Constitution. Both liberals and conservatives use religion in different ways to promote political change.

People who identify themselves as deeply religious are more likely to vote Republican, particularly amongst the Christian faith. The only two religious groups that have seen Democratic increases are Jewish and unaffiliated/secular.

Religious views 47% of Americans accept evolution compared to 80% of Europeans. 54% of US support same sex marriage, 28% support civil unions 57% of US say abortion should be legal in all or most cases

Comparing US Political Views Wilson Text, pages 80-84 List at least 3 of the more interesting ways that American civic culture differs from other countries, and explain their relevance. Describe what we know about public attitudes about religion in the US compared with other nations. How has this approach been reflected in US politics?

Race, Ethnicity and Politics

Caucasian Americans White (non-Hispanic) are currently the largest racial and ethnic group in the US, comprising 72% of the population. Due to size and majority status, Caucasian political identity is more closely tied to other factors (income, education, religion) than race. Despite this, white Americans voted 59% Republican to 39% Democrat in 2012

African Americans African Americans currently make up 12.6% of the US population. African Americans vote overwhelmingly Democrat in US and Congressional elections 83-95% since 1972 Although they vote for liberal candidates, African Americans self-identify more as moderates than liberals themselves.

Hispanic Americans Hispanic Americans currently make up 15.5% of the US population, and are the fastest growing ethnic population. Hispanic Americans voted overwhelmingly 71% Democrat in the 2012 election, but past elections have seen more even voting for the 2 parties.

Native/Asian American Native Americans make up only 1.4% the US population, and vote overwhelmingly Democrat. Asian Americans are the smallest single ethnic group in the US census making up only 0.5% of the US population. Asian American political ideology has shifted left, and most voted for Obama (73%) in 2012.

Political Opinions Wilson text, pages 159-162 Discuss the comparative roles played by the family, religion, gender and education in forming Americans’ political outlook. Of the four, which would you say have been gaining in importance recently, and why? (2 paragraphs) Pages 162-167 Explain how social class, race and ethnicity, and region have contributed to cleavages in American public opinion. Should these cleavages be viewed as a positive or negative comment on our system? (1 paragraph)

Measuring Public Opinion

Public Opinion A collection of shared attitudes of many different people in matters relating to politics, public issues, or making public policy. Consensus – General agreement on an issue Divisive opinion – Public opinion is divided between two very different views.

Measuring Public Opinion Complex process often conveying unreliable results. Public opinion polls are most accurate. Businesses, government, political candidates, and interest groups use polls.

Modern Polling George Gallup developed modern methods in the 1930’s Sampling – Should be representative of the general pop. and chosen at random Valid questions – Phrased and ordered in a way that does not lead to particular answers with clear directions

Controlling how the poll is taken – Respondents should have some knowledge of the issues and no influence should be created by pollster. Analyzing and reporting results – Information on how the poll was conducted, sampling errors, and when the poll was taken is needed.

Public Opinion Polls How Polling Works (page 157) Why is random sampling so important? What are the problems that can come from not using a random sample? Give a specific example of how not using random sampling can invalidate a poll. How Opinions Differ (page 157) “It is important for politicians to focus on issues with high opinion stability rather than opinion saliency.” Do you agree with this statement? Why?

Political Participation (page 178) What 3 things are wrong with the commonly held view that Americans do not vote based on voter apathy? What do you think the voter turnout figures in Table 8.1 say about voter turnout in the United States versus other nations? Explain 2 points on the burden of registering to vote in the US Voter Turnout (page 184) Explain 2 arguments against the apparent decline in voter participation as seen in Figure 8.2. What sort of program might you design if you wanted to overcome some of these problems and thus increase voter turnout.

Forms of Political Participation

6 Levels of Political Participation Inactive – 1/5 of pop. Do not vote or talk about politics. Typically little education, low income, young. Voting specialists – Only participate through voting. Little schooling and older. Parochials – Stay away from election activities, but contact local politicians about personal problems.

Cont… Campaigners – Vote and get involved in campaigns. Better educated. Strong party ID and have strong positions. Communalists – Similar to campaigners, but are nonpartisan. Devote time to community activities and local problems. Activists – 1/9 of pop. Highly educated, high incomes, middle aged. Participate in all levels of politics.

Types of participation Conventional – Widely accepted modes of influencing govt. Voting, petitioning, campaign donations, joining political parties and interest groups, and running for office. These forms are on the rise. Unconventional – Dramatic activities such as protesting/boycotts, civil disobedience, and violence. Media gives these forms more power and can be successful.

Abortion laws at the state level For each of the following issues, list what level of political participation might take an interest in bringing about change in the government, and state why you think so. Abortion laws at the state level Environment laws at the national level Tax laws at the national level Education at the local level Gun Rights at the national level Gay Rights at the state level Health Care at the national level Immigration at the national level Traffic problems at the local level

Unit 2 Quiz Topics American Democratic Values Influences on Political Opinion Beliefs of Different Political Ideologies Religion and Politics Race/Ethnicity and Politics Modern Polling Techniques Levels of Political Participation Types of Political Participation Demographic Influences on Political Opinion