Public Opinion Ch 7 Reading

Beliefs and Behaviors: Political Culture Public Opinion Political ideology Political socialization Polling

What is Public Opinion? Def.: Politically relevant opinions held by ordinary citizens that they express openly. Attitudes and opinions of a large group of people on particular issues

How Americans think Politically Three major frames of reference shape public opinion: Partisanship (Party Identification) Ideological Leanings Group Attachments

1. Partisanship Aka Party Identification: The personal sense of loyalty an individual may feel toward a particular political party. 2/3 of adults consider themselves Democrats or Republicans while 1/3 remain Independent

Party as a Lens Political Party and identity shape views on issues not only on their merit, but based on who proposes them. Ex. Romneycare vs. Obamacare Clinton’s intervention in Yugoslavia vs. Bush’s invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq vs. Obama’s intervention in Libya

Party Loyalty While on some level party members reflexively support their own party, there is history behind party membership that is long lived. Ex. Democrats support workers rights and social welfare, therefore receive great union and worker support Republicans support tax cuts and pro-business policies, therefore receive support from business and financial sectors.

2. Political Ideology Def. Consistent pattern of opinion on particular issues that stems from a core belief or set of beliefs. Liberal and Conservative on the Political Spectrum.

The Political Ideology Spectrum Left Right Liberal Conservative Radical Reactionary Moderate

Dividing the Issues In general, political issues can be divided into two categories: Economic Issues: Dealing with money, business, taxes, government regulation of business, Government spending, wealth distribution Cultural (Social) Issues: Dealing with society and the way people live, crime, morality, prison, liberties, rights

Liberals Economic Liberals: Those who believe government should do more to assist people who have difficulty meeting their own economic needs. Cultural (social) Liberals: Those who believe it is not government’s role to support traditional values at the expense of new ones.

Conservative Economic Conservatives: Those who believe government tries to do too many things that should be left to private interests and economic markets. Cultural (social) Conservatives: Those who believe government power should be used to uphold traditional values. *Gov’t should not intervene to create economic/social equality

Moderate The moderate tends to stand with different groups on an issue to issue basis or in a middle area between the liberal/ conservative extreme. Slang – ‘center right’; ‘center left’

Libertarian Libertarian: Economic conservative (no govt. interference), but Culturally liberal (complete freedom and rights for all) *Favor little/no regulation beyond protection of property rights and voluntary trade

Populist Support economic regulation on corporations to protect the working class Social conservatives and religious; south and Midwest William Jennings Bryan! You shall not crucify mankind on a cross of gold…

Keynesian v. Supply-Side Theories on marketplace regulation to guide monetary and fiscal policies promoted by the president, Congress and the Federal Reserve

3. Group Orientations Political Opinion is tied to a person’s group or groups in which they belong. Different issues impact different groups differently, therefore the political opinion of members of those groups react accordingly. Ex. Social security is important to seniors, while college tuition is important to young voters

Groups/Cleavages Religious Economic class Region Race and ethnicity Gender Age and generations

Religious Groups Various religions and their teachings impact members of those religions on various issues. Ex. Abortion Gay Marriage Welfare programs for the poor School prayer

Economic Class Income and education impact political opinion on some issues. Ex. Lower-income are more likely to support welfare and business regulation, while higher-income support free market and tax cuts. But not others. Ex. Union support and collective bargaining is high among blue-collar and factory workers, but not among white collar workers or farmers even though they may have similar income levels

Region While not as cut-and-dried as in the past (think North and South Pre-civil war through the 1960s) region has an impact. “Red States” (Republican Majority) are located in the South, Great Plains and Rocky Mts. “Blue States” (Democratic Majority) are located in the North East, Midwest, and West Coast

Race and Ethnicity Major impact on civil rights and liberties issues Ex. Black and Hispanic for Affirmative Action, less trusting of police and court system than non-Hispanic Whites Opinions differ in regards to social welfare programs (in general, Black, Hispanic for, White against) but much is also due to income and education.

Gender Men and Women tend to think alike in many issues, with some exceptions: Affirmative Action: Women more pro, Men con Social Welfare: Women pro education spending and welfare programs Military Spending: Men pro use of military than women

Generations and Age Different generations are shaped by the political environment they are born into. This shapes their public opinion. Ex. WWII generation: Civic Duty important Vietnam generation: Mistrust of government Also, issues that are important to one age group may be less important to another Seniors: Social Security Parents: Funding for Public Education Young Adults: College debt

“Crosscutting Cleavages” Americans identify with several different groups, (religion/gender/age). The identification with one group is lessened by belonging to another. Exposure to members of different groups also lessens group identification. This fact creates a tendency for political moderation in the U.S.

Agents of Socialization Def. The agents that have a significant impact on citizens’ political socialization – Which is the lifelong process of by which people form their ideas about politics/acquire political values. Primary Agents: Parents and families (#1 influence!) Schools Religious Organizations Peer Groups Media Leaders

Polling Characteristics of a valid, scientific public opinion poll: Randomized sample Representative sample Question wording (unbiased, unambiguous) Large sample size/low margin of error

Topics that are sensitive to social desirability bias: Personal income and earnings, often inflated when low and deflated when high Feelings of low self-worth and/or powerlessness, often denied Religion, often either avoided or uncomfortably approached Patriotism, either inflated or, if denied, done so with a fear of other party's judgment Bigotry and intolerance, often denied, even if it exists within the responder Intellectual achievements, often inflated Indicators of charity or "benevolence", often inflated Illegal acts, often denied

Types of Polls Opinion Polls Benchmark or Tracking Polls Entrance and Exit Polls

Polling Factors that enhance the influence of public opinion on how Congressmen vote Strong public opinion as expressed in polling results Because of the desire to get reelected Perceived obligation to represent their constituents Competitive reelections

Polling Factors that limit influence of public opinion on the voting decisions of members of Congress: Legislators’ voting records – to avoid being perceived as indecisive by voters/supporters Party leadership To avoid the risk of losing party support To gain party support

Limits on the Public’s Influence Often public opinion is contradictory Lower Taxes, More Government Action Also, the public may be uninformed or misinformed on many topics

Public Opinion and Boundaries of Action Because of strong public opinion on certain issues, they are considered politically untouchable (called the 3rd Rail, referring to the electrified subway rail you should not touch!) Social Security: reforms in 1980s and 2000s went nowhere Military spending/closing military bases

Leaders and Public Opinion Despite limitations on Public Opinion, leaders do have room to maneuver Often leaders can take advantage of public misinformation/apathy to push their agendas Leaders can also use their positions to drive public opinion in the direction they desire