Warm-up: Political Socialization - Copy the definition/agents below, then write about a paragraph responding to the questions posed. Political socialization refers to how most Americans learn about politics. The following factors all contribute to this process. Agents of political socialization: Family/home influences Media School Group affiliations (Interest groups, religious groups, etc.) How has each of these factors affected your political socialization? Which is most influential or important? Consider how these factors have affected your level of political knowledge, or the types of issues you are interested in.

Census A tool for understanding our population. Taken every 10 years. Last one: 2010. Is it a requirement? Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution Federal law

Partner Discussion What are some impacts of the census? Should Americans be required to participate? Why or why not? If so, how should it be enforced? Other than population numbers, what other data is or should be measured, and why? What may change about the census in the future, and how can we make it more accurate?

Types of Census Data (just FYI) Origins and Languages Ancestry Place of birth Citizenship Year of entry Language spoken at home Disability and caregivers Housing: Physical characteristics Year structure built Units in structure Rooms Bedrooms Kitchen facilities Telephone service available Year moved in to unit Farm unit Housing: financial characteristics Basic Facts Age Gender Relationship/Marital Status Race Income and Employment Income Labor force status Industry Occupation Work status last year Veteran status Transportation Place of work Journey to work Vehicles available Education Enrollment and attainment

2010 Census Data (just FYI) In Florida: Median age = 40.7 Average household size = 2.48 people Among the state's occupied housing units, 67.4 percent were owned, compared with 32.6 percent that were rented.

Regional Shifts 1911 - House of Representatives was set at 435 members. As population changes, Congress has to be reapportioned. Happens after every census If a state has 5% of the population of the country, it receives 5% of House seats

Political Culture A set of basic beliefs/values that most citizens hold about a government and its legitimacy. What do you think of the political culture in America right now? What symbols might represent our political culture?

Measuring Public Opinion Recently, poll-taking has increased in scope and importance Results are often widely reported in the media

Public Opinion The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues. In a democracy, the government needs to gauge public opinion to determine the course of action it should take. What side of the fence are people on? How strongly do they feel that way? Current example: DACA; Confederate memorials

Class Poll On average, how many hours of sleep do you get per night? 9-10 7-8 5-6 4 or less

Partner Discussion Should we pay attention to polls? Why does public opinion matter (or not)? How can polls be inaccurate or biased? What are some ways that polls and the measuring of public opinion can help strengthen democracy? What are some ways that polls and the measuring of public opinion can weaken democracy?

Limitations of Polls Agenda may reflect interest of the poll-taker Set of issues covered may be very different from what’s on the mind of respondents People’s answers often reflect what they hear from the media or politicians Surveys don’t necessarily go into depth

In your notes, explain the significance of the following: Random sample Sampling error Exit polls

Ideology A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. Helps give meaning to political events, personalities, and policies.

Ideology vs. Political Party Usually, conservatives align themselves with the Republican Party while liberals align themselves with the Democratic Party. The ideology is the set of beliefs, while the party is the organization that allows like-minded people to work together to win elections.

Ideological Positions Discuss with your partner which ideology you think is mostly likely to agree with the following issues: Position Ideology 1. Support minimal government involvement with the economy 2. Support women’s choice when it comes to abortion 3. Support more stringent gun control measures 4. Support removing religious symbols from public spaces 5. Support more spending on defense 6. Support progressive tax system with a higher percentage of taxes placed on the wealthy 7. Support opportunities for vouchers for school choice 8. Support tightening of laws regarding immigration

Where can you find polling data? Pew Research Center http://www.pewresearch.org/ Gallup http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx FiveThirtyEight http://fivethirtyeight.com/ Roper Center http://ropercenter.cornell.edu/ Real Clear Politics http://www.realclearpolitics.com/

“While the growth in the number of Millennials who are eligible to vote underscores the potential electoral clout of today’s young adults, Millennials remain far from the largest generational bloc of actual voters. It is one thing to be eligible to vote and another entirely to cast a ballot.” -Richard Fry http://www.pewresearch.org/fact- tank/2016/05/16/millennials-match-baby- boomers-as-largest-generation-in-u-s- electorate-but-will-they-vote/

“…young-adult turnout depends on factors besides demographics: the candidates, the success of voter mobilization efforts, as well as satisfaction with the economy and direction of the country.” -Richard Fry http://www.pewresearch.org/fact- tank/2016/05/16/millennials-match-baby- boomers-as-largest-generation-in-u-s- electorate-but-will-they-vote/

“Only about 65% of the U.S. voting-age population (and 71% of the voting-age citizenry) was registered in 2012, according to the Census Bureau, compared with 91% in Canada and the UK, 96% in Sweden and nearly 99% in Japan.” -Drew Desilver http://www.pewresearch.org/fact- tank/2016/08/02/u-s-voter-turnout-trails-most- developed-countries/

-“The Current State of Civic Engagement in America” “Nearly two-thirds of all Americans have participated in some form of political activity in the past year. Just under one-fifth engaged in four or more political acts on a scale of eleven different activities.” -“The Current State of Civic Engagement in America” http://www.pewinternet.org/2009/09/01/the- current-state-of-civic-engagement-in-america/

-“The Current State of Civic Engagement in America” “As income and education levels increase, so does participation in a wide range of political activities…” -“The Current State of Civic Engagement in America” http://www.pewinternet.org/2009/09/01/the- current-state-of-civic-engagement-in-america/

Political Participation Most Americans don’t participate in most political activities Where Americans participate most is in voting (still very low) Participation varies among Americans based on socio-economic characteristics

Political Participation (cont.) Education increases likelihood Higher income Higher social class Minorities as a whole participate at below average levels Highly educated minorities participate above average Are these statistics a problem for democracy? Why/why not?

Conventional Participation Voting Campaign work Running for office Working as a staffer for a politician Lobbying the government Donating money to a political cause

Unconventional Participation Protest What is its main aim in America today? Recent examples? Civil Disobedience Ex: Rosa Parks