Chapter Seven Public Opinion Instructor: Kevin Sexton Course: U.S. Political Systems Southeast Missouri State University

What is Public Opinion? The aggregation of people’s views about issues, situations, and public figures. and….or….. “those opinions held by private persons which government finds it prudent to heed.”

Sources of Public Opinion Socialization Personal Experience Self-Interest Education Reference Groups The Media

Characteristics of Public Opinion Public Opinion Is: Uninformed Inconsistent Non-Ideological

Ideology versus Ideologue Ideology – a comprehensive, organized set of beliefs, values and set of views about government and politics. Ideologue – an impractical idealist, an often blindly partisan advocate or follower of a particular ideology.

1. It placed a great deal of emphasis on empowering the individual. Classic Liberalism Philosophy that attempted to free individuals from the societal structure that was dominated by religious and hereditary privileges. 1. It placed a great deal of emphasis on empowering the individual. ie. Hobbes and Locke’s ideas relating to the relationship between the government and the governed. 2. Government should be involved in the life of individual citizens as little as possible. Modern American Liberalism and Modern American Conservatism are both outgrowths of Classic Liberalism. They both believe that government should stay out of certain portions of our lives. The difference is found when we look at what portion of our lives each group would like to protect from government involvement.

Modern Day American Conservatism & Liberalism Modern Day Conservatism 1. Believe government should not be deeply involved in the economic decisions. ie. Believe deeply in the free-market or supply and demand economics. Believe government should be involved in clarifying societal positions on moral issues. ie. Abortion, Stem Cell Research, Right to Die, Homosexual Marriage 3. Republicans would be considered an example of a modern day conservative group. Modern Day Liberalism Believe government should not be deeply involved in societal moral issues. We should each be allowed to develop our own moral boundaries. Believe government should be involved in economic decisions, in order to ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth is achieved. ie. Adheres more to Keynesian Economic Principles. 3. Democrats would be considered an example of a modern day liberal group.

US Political Spectrum Moderate Middle of the Road Right Left Democrat Ideologues Ideologues Right Left Most Politicians Fall In This Range on The Spectrum Democrat Republican Liberal Conservative Most Americans Fall In This Range on The Spectrum

Ideology versus Ideologue (cont.) Things to remember: ALL Americans have an ideology. NOT ALL Americans are ideologues. Most Politicians are not ideologues Because ideologues are considered more “extreme” and since most voters are not found at the extremes of the US Political Spectrum it is not profitable for politicians to be at the extremes.

How is Public Opinion Measured Polls or Polling Scientifically measuring the occurrence of an event within a population without measuring the whole population. Example: "Just thinking about a candidate's religion, do you think you could vote for a/an (see next slide) candidate For president, or not ?” RESULTS ON NEXT SLIDE

Example of a Poll Sample Error +/- 3%

Population versus Sample Current US Population is 299,150,168. Do pollsters ask each person the poll questions? NO. They select a random sample of the total POPULATION. Then…… Mathematically apply the findings of the sample to the total population.

Are Polls 100% Accurate? No. Errors can and do happen with polls. Things that can cause problems with polls: Sample Error Error inherent to measuring only a sample +/- of a poll Selection Bias Size of Sample Not Representative Not truly random Measurement Error Confusing Questions Leading Questions Oversimplified Questions