Party Identification 11.4 Political Socialization Group Affiliations In general, most American voters lean toward one of the political parties, whether it's one of the two major parties or a minor party, and identify with at least some of the tenets of that party. Such party identification begins with political socialization; parents are the greatest influence on a person's political identity. However, a person's membership or affiliation with different groups, including the following, also affect a person's political leanings: •geographic region •gender •race and ethnicity •age •social and economic factors •religion •marital status The above groups may change over the course of a lifetime.

Political Socialization 11.4 Political Socialization Parents Single greatest influence on political beliefs Other aspects of adult life Marriage Economic status Charismatic leaders Franklin D. Roosevelt Ronald Reagan Perhaps not surprisingly, parents are the single greatest influence in developing a person's party identification. Politically active parents who are of the same party generally raise children with strong party identification, while parents who are not politically active or who don't share party leanings tend to raise children who are more independent. As people get older, other aspects of their lives, such as marriage or economic status, tend to influence their political beliefs. And charismatic leaders, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt or Ronald Reagan, can also be influential.

Group Affiliations 11.4 Geography Gender Race and ethnicity Age Social and economic factors Religion Marital status Groups can play a key role in determining whether a person leans Democratic or Republican. When it comes to geography, Democrats tend to dominate the Northeast and California, while Republicans are strongest in the South and Midwest. Along gender lines, more women identify with Democrats, while more men are Republican. In terms of race and ethnicity, Africans Americans and Hispanics favor Democrats. As far as age is concerned, young adults and the elderly tend to side with Democrats, while middle aged Americans tend to identify themselves as Republicans. On economic factors, as one's wealth increases, so does one's chances of identifying with the Republican party. Religion is split; some religions like Democrats and others, Republicans. Finally, married people tend to side with Republicans, while never-marrieds generally are Democrats.

11.4 TABLE 11.2 Who identifies as a Democrat? A Republican? This table breaks down how different groups tend to identify politically. Source: Pew Research Center, A Closer Look at the Parties in 2012, August 23, 2012, http://www.people-press.org/2012/08/23/a-closer-look-at-the-parties-in-2012/. continued on next slide

11.4 TABLE 11.2 Who identifies as a Democrat? A Republican? This table breaks down how different groups tend to identify politically. Source: Pew Research Center, A Closer Look at the Parties in 2012, August 23, 2012, http://www.people-press.org/2012/08/23/a-closer-look-at-the-parties-in-2012/.

11.4 Which political party do Hispanics support? Hispanic voters increasingly support Democratic candidates, although this may vary with an individual's country of origin. Here, a Hispanic delegate to the Democratic National Convention shows her support for President Barack Obama. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

11.4 11.4 Which people have the most significant influence on a person's political socialization? Parents Peers Co-workers Civic groups Can you answer this review question on political socialization?

11.4 11.4 Which people have the most significant influence on a person's political socialization? Parents Peers Co-workers Civic groups While it isn't unheard of for a person to change political affiliation as an adult, parents are the single greatest influence on political socialization.

Minor Parties in the the American Two-Party System 11.5 Minor Parties in the the American Two-Party System The formation and role of minor parties Barriers to minor-party success Minor parties play an interesting and important role in American politics, and often that role involves struggle. They have seen their popular ideas co-opted by one of the two major parties eager to secure the minor party's supporters. Minor parties might make progress when the two major parties neglect new ideas or alienated groups, or if they don't nominate ideal candidates for office. However, much of American politics, including the winner-take-all system and the Electoral College, can make it especially hard for minor parties to gain real traction in the electoral system.

The Formation and Role of Minor Parties 11.5 The Formation and Role of Minor Parties Obstacles Transitioning from social movement to party is difficult Minor parties have had influence Dixiecrats Green Party While many social movements have been powerful and influential, few have made the jump to becoming a political party. That transition's difficult; political parties don't just support public policies and change; they also run candidates for office. Those movements that did transition to minor, third parties have, in fact, influenced the political landscape. The Dixiecrats, who favored Southern states' rights, pulled away from the Democrats in 1948, and the Green Party has been influential in pushing for environmental issues.

11.5 TABLE 11.3 What are some of America's minor parties? This table describes some of America's minor parties, such as the Libertarian and Green Parties.

Barriers to Minor-Party Success 11.5 Barriers to Minor-Party Success Proportional representation Apportions legislative seats according to percentage of votes a party receives Winner-take-all system Party that receives at least one more vote wins the election Many European countries have political systems more favorable to minor parties. That's because those countries have a system based on proportional representation, which apportions legislative seats according to the percentage of votes a political party receives. The United States, however, uses a single-member, plurality electoral system, often called the "winner-take-all" system. Under this system, the party that receives at least one more vote than any other party wins the election. This approach makes it harder for third parties to gain power. The Electoral College and the rules of public financing also make it harder for minor parties to play a significant role in American politics.

11.5 This voting system is more favorable to minor political parties: Single-member, plurality electoral system Winner-take-all electoral system Electoral College Proportional representation Let's pause to answer a quick review question about a voting system that makes it easier for a minor party to be included in government.

11.5 This voting system is more favorable to minor political parties: Single-member, plurality electoral system Winner-take-all electoral system Electoral College Proportional representation Proportional representation apportions legislative seats according to the percentage of votes a party receives.

Toward Reform: United or Divided? 11.6 Toward Reform: United or Divided? Causes of Polarization Consequences of Polarization You're not imagining the uptick in gridlock and fighting in our political system. In recent years, political scientists have observed and noted growing polarization between the two political parties. The 24-hour and Internet news cycles carry a chunk of the blame, but clear differences also exist between the parties' positions, both in government and among some of the most active voters and interest groups. This deep divide between the two parties can make governing difficult. Political scientists have noticed increasing divides between members of Congress over the past 20 years. As northern liberal Republicans and southern conservative Democrats have been fading away, the parties have retreated in opposite political and policy directions. This has left precious few lawmakers in the middle to foster compromise. What is not clear to scholars is whether this polarization is also true of the general American population.

Causes of Polarization 11.6 Causes of Polarization Geographic divide "The United States of Canada" to the north "Jesusland" to the south Stereotypes of political identifiers Republicans as NASCAR Democrats as Starbucks Wedge issues "Guns, God, and gays" Abortion, gay marriage The Internet can act as a wonderful mirror, capturing and reflecting back Americans' political whims. Following the 2004 presidential election between Republican incumbent George W. Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry, a satirical graphic poking fun of the state-by-state election results was circulating online. The image depicted the northern Democratic, or "blue" states that had sided with Kerry as "The United States of Canada," while the southern Republican "red" states that had sided with Bush were labeled "Jesusland." Scholars have pointed to this graphic to show Americans' own perception of how polarized we may be. Adding to that, stereotypes of political identifiers have become more common, with Republicans being connected to NASCAR and Democrats to Starbucks. And as an electorate, we seem to have become more agitated by wedge issues, or cultural hot potatoes such as the "guns, God, and gays" phrase and abortion or gay marriage.

Consequences of Polarization 11.6 Consequences of Polarization Congress Least productive in history Lack of moderates, lower incentive to compromise Consequences to electorate Forcing moderate electorate to choose between extremes may increase voter apathy Surely the divisiveness has a cost. The consequences of the growing division between the two parties have been on display in Congress, with political scientists noting that we've had among the least productive Congresses in history. The lack of moderate members and the lower incentive to compromise has led to staggering gridlock. And what effect could this have on American citizens themselves? Scholars have suggested that forcing generally moderate Americans to choose between political extremes could increase voter apathy. Activity: Ask: How does the preference for divided government reconcile with increasing polarization in Congress? Consider using a segment from then- Senator Barack Obama's address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention (www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0) which challenges the idea of polarization.

11.6 11.6 Wedge issues have been blamed in part for recent deepening divides. Which are wedge issues? "Guns, God, and gays" Abortion and contraception Hot-button cultural issues All of the above Let's try to answer this question about political polarization in America.

11.6 11.6 Wedge issues have been blamed in part for recent deepening divides. Which are wedge issues? "Guns, God, and gays" Abortion and contraception Hot-button cultural issues All of the above Option C is the definition, and options A and B are examples.

11 Discussion Questions Is the two-party system good for America? Why is the country so polarized? How can the problem be fixed?

11 Further Review Listen to the Chapter Study and Review the Flashcards Study and Review the Practice Tests