AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior part 2 AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Reminder The symbol of the The symbol of the Republican Party Democratic Party AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior In general Party identification has tended to be the most important influence on a person’s vote in presidential elections AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Since 1980 Women more likely than men to vote . . . Democratic in presidential elections This has become known as the “Gender Gap” AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior In recent times Men more likely than women to identify themselves as Republicans AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior In general People with higher income are more likely to consider themselves to be AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior However . . . In general, “social class” has become less predictive of political behavior than it used to be. AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior In general As compared to rural voters, urban voters are more likely to vote for Democrats AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Since 1952 The largest increase in voter registrations has been . . . AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Certain Groups African American Democrats tend to support more liberal candidates in the party AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Certain Groups Jewish people tend to be more liberal than the average voter and tend to support Democrats AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Certain Groups Catholic voters have tended to be more liberal on economic issues than Protestants But the overall ideological gap between the two groups has narrowed over time AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Certain Groups Over the past few decades “religiosity” has become more influential in determining a person’s ideology AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Certain Groups In the “Latino” category . . . Voters of Cuban descent tend to be more supportive of than people of other backgrounds AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Leading predictor of how a person will vote in a congressional election . . . PARTISANSHIP . . . Party affiliation rather than - newspaper endorsements - gender - presidential endorsement - occupation AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Since 1972, voters in presidential elections . . . Have become more focused on individual candidates rather than - TV debates - party platforms - print media AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Compared to general population. . . Delegates to presidential nomination conventions are more ideological and more highly educated AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

A bit of simplification . . . Some Differences AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives Military Spending Believe we should spend less Believe we should maintain peace through strength AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives Use of Military Force More likely to support military intervention around the world Less willing to commit troops to action AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives On Abortion Support “right to life” Support “freedom of choice” AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives Prayer in Public Schools Are opposed Are supportive AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives Affirmative Action Favor Oppose AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives Scope of Government Favor free market solutions View government as a regulator in the public interest AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives Taxes Want to tax the rich more Want to keep taxes low AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives Government Spending Want to keep spending low Want to spend more on the poor AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives How to Cut Crime Believe we should stop “coddling criminals” Believe we should solve the problems that cause crime AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives Defendants’ Rights Believe we should guard them carefully Believe we should stop letting criminals hide behind laws AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

Liberals & Conservatives Favorite Presidents AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior a 2000 Study . . . Some Differences AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Young v. Old Liberal or Very Liberal 32% 16% AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Young v. Old Favor investing Social Security funds in the stock market 45% 71% AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Young v. Old Spending on education should be increased 53% 81% AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Young v. Old Military spending should be increased 35% 65% AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Young v. Old Spending to protect the environment should be increased 77% 59% AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior Young v. Old Favor government policies to reduce income differences 42% 61% AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Beliefs & Behavior