Political Socialization Part 1

What is political socialization? The learning process by which people acquire their opinions, beliefs, and values. The process: primacy tendency- childhood learning Structuring tendency- cumulative Age-cohort tendency: breaking from parents.

The Agents of Socialization: School: individual rights get more liberal in college Family: the strongest Peers: friends, co-workers Religion: Protestant conservative Catholic more liberal

The Agents of Socialization Gender: Men more conservative, women more liberal (nurturing?) Ex: Nascar Dads vs. Soccer Moms Race: The lighter the more conservative? Blacks most solid group What about Hispanics and Asians? Income: The more *wealth, the more conservative.

Often, a question of “haves”, and “have nots”. Which group would want create more “change” to the system?

The Agents of Socialization The mass media: news coverage and commercials. “Spinning” Discussion question: Do media outlets “cater” to certain specific audiences? Examples? Discuss with 3 o’clock p.

The Agents of Socialization Political leaders and institutions: charisma and lobbying - can be fickle!

What has happened over the years in regards to voting % for the President? For the Congress? Why?

How Americans think politically: Reminder: our deeper commitment to individualism Ideology: a pattern of opinion on particular issues that stems from core beliefs four major ideological types…

The Political Spectrum Where do most Democrats fall? Republicans? Where do you think you fit in?

Conservative Individuals who oppose an activist role in govt. for economics, but look for the govt. To uphold traditional social values

1) Conservative “The Big L” Like big tax cuts Republicans Family values Colorado and New Mexico have recently become “blue”

Classic Liberalism v. Modern Liberalism (difference) Classic: from 18 th century, wanted protection of property and limited role of govt. This is similar to today’s conservative! Modern (New Deal) Liberalism: wanted an expanded role of govt. Corporation seen as threat to liberty

2) Liberal Favor activist government as an instrument of economic redistribution but reject that it should favor certain social values(?) relativism

Liberals and Conservatives

3) Populist Individuals who share a with conservatives a concern for traditional values, but like liberals, favor an active role in economics Most committed to activism

4) Libertarians Are opposed to government intervention in both economic and social spheres Most committed to indiv. freedom Trendy?

Review: Which group opposes all forms of government activism?

Which emerging subgroup has Palin become popular with?

How does US voter turnout compare? More democratic, yet lower rates… Avg. 50% in Presidential elections 30-40% in Congressional midterm elections!

Surprising, given most barriers to voting have been broken down… Religion & property (Jackson) Race (15 th amendment) Gender (19 th ) Income (24 th ) Literacy (VR Act of 1965) Age (26 th )

Voting Behavior & Intensity Hippocampus link: Lesson 12

So why do so few vote?! Unlike most countries require voter registration National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Motor Voter Law) = no change Too long of a ballot? Difficulty getting absentee ballot? Too many elections? Lack of political efficacy? (our two- party system?)

What trends do you see? What reasons can you conclude for this?