Public Opinion and Political Participation Ap us government and politics review

Political Terms Political Elite Political Efficacy Political Ideology Political Socialization Political Activist

Political Socialization and Family Young men and women identify with family political ideology—91% 60% as people mature Proportion of adamant Democrats & Republicans has declined since the 1950s—Why? • 1952: 22% said they were adamant Demo. • 1952: 13% said they were adamant Rep. • 1976: Demo. 15% • 1976: Rep. 9%

Political Dealignment Cause of Dealignment Party leaders are weaker Young electorate Weak Party Leaders More party members are crossing party lines; unclear message for electorate—disillusionment Growth of independents and moderates Campaign finance laws and Interest groups Media coverage Union Movement getting weaker Religious Observance

Political Socialization and Education Education—Trends: More number of years of school=Greater Liberalism Liberal scale • Graduates students > Senior > freshmen • Social Science Majors > Science Majors Why? Exposure to liberal environment: Classroom materials: Textbooks, readings, newspapers are written by cultural elite who are liberal Concentration of youths Social movements Liberal professors—intellectualism forces people to think of all the possibilities—NEW AND UNPOPULAR; often skeptical and critical of conventional thought

Political Socialization and Gender Gender Gap—difference between men and women’s political identification Difference Men have become increasingly Republican since the 1960s—70s Women have remained unchanged Abortion Differ on social issues • Welfare and child services • Death Penalty • Gun Control • Size of Government • Sexual harassment

Political Socialization: Race/Ethnicity Race/Ethnicity and Trends (Wilson Text 7th ed. pg. 126 & Sabato Text pg. 397) African Americans Caucasians Hispanics Asians

Political Socialization and Religion White Protestants—Conservative on both economic and social issues Catholics—more liberal on economic issues than Protestants; share conservative stance on social issues: • Abortion • Contraception • Gay Rights • Sex before Marriage Judaism • More liberal on social and economic policies compared to Catholics & Protestants • Weakening, why? More social status • Is a poor protestant more likely to favor liberal or conservative policies and why?

Political Socialization—Age & Socioeconomic Status Youth, Middle Age v. Elderly Socio-economic status Wealthy v. Poor

Political Socialization and Region

Political Socialization and Region Cont’d Northeast West Northern Midwest Southern Midwest South Where are the Battleground States?

Voter Turnout Eligible Voters v. Registered Voters Stats: General Presidential Elections Midterm Elections Gubernatorial Elections Presidential Primaries Presidential Caucus

Factors Influencing Voter Turnout Education Income and Socio-economic Status Age Religion—Jews and Catholics voter more than Protestants Gender Race/Ethnicity African Americans Hispanics Caucasians

Cause of Low Voter Turnout Voter Registration (ND is the exception) Decline in Political Efficacy Mistrust, Corruption and Apathy Non-competitive elections No viable Minor Parties/Two-Party System—Clothespin Vote Weakening of Political Parties and Party Leaders Low Voter Turnout is apparent and NOT REAL

Oppressed Groups Property Requirement Women Residents of Washington DC 18-20 Year olds African Americans 15th Amendment 15th Amendments Circumvention Poll Taxes Grandfather Clause White Primary Literacy Tests