Public Opinion Chapter 7 Public Opinion & Political Socialization Theme A

Why is public policy at odds with public opinion? Examples? Examples? Gov’t created to achieve goals, NOT do what people want. Gov’t created to achieve goals, NOT do what people want. Checks & balances put in place to guard against factions, so no one could dominate (Pluralist) Checks & balances put in place to guard against factions, so no one could dominate (Pluralist) Public opinion is hard to measure. Public opinion is hard to measure. Political elites carry more weight & think differently than the average American. Political elites carry more weight & think differently than the average American.

Public Opinion What is it? What is it? –The ideas and attitudes shared by a portion of the population What does it take to measure public opinion? What does it take to measure public opinion? –Reliability and validity (Ex. Cincinnati) –Saliency (Ex.) –Unbiased questions (Ex.) –Significant numbers & unbiased samples –Informed public

Qualities of Public Opinion 1. Intensity- strength of position 2. Fluidity- ability to interpret position 3. Stability- extent to which public opinion stays constant 4. Relevance- extent to which an issue is of concern at a particular time 5. Political knowledge- the more active and knowledgeable someone is about politics 6. Diversity-How do you get diverse sample? 7. Direction-positive or negative Do Effects of Polling Sheet & Discuss!

Discuss Project Assignment Process: Process: –Word non-biased, open-ended question –Determine polling locations –Take down as many demographics as possible –Interpret results & information –Compile into a presentation – product or link to me no later than 8:00 p.m. on December 1 st. –Presentations are 12/02-12/04 (if needed).

Political Socialization What is political socialization? What is political socialization? The process by which children learn about values, beliefs and attitudes of political culture. The process by which children learn about values, beliefs and attitudes of political culture. What forces shape our political socialization?

Origins of Political Socialization Role of Family- Role of Family- –First & most important force. –Links us to other socialization forces. –Party identification absorbed, but child becomes more independent with age. –The ability to pass on party ID declining –More consider themselves independent –Children less influenced in regard to policy; Clear ideologies rarely passed on.

Origins of Political Socialization Religion- Religion- –Political Socialization occurs through religious tradition  Catholic? More liberal on economic issues, conservative on social issues  Protestants? More conservative  Jews? More liberal –How does social status affect views? Ex.? –How does religious tradition affect views? Ex? –How was the Christian Coalition different from the Moral Majority? Explain 2 ways.

Origins of Political Socialization The Gender Gap The Gender Gap –Differences in the political views of men & women –Men increasingly identify with Republican –Women increasingly vote Democratic Demographics to illustrate! Demographics to illustrate! –Reasons?  Gun control, poverty spending, gay rights –Gender gap not unique to the US

Gender Gap in 2012 Vote Is Largest in Gallup's History Obama wins women's vote; Romney has eight-point edge among men by Jeffrey M. Jones President Barack Obama won the two-party vote among female voters in the 2012 election by 12 points, 56% to 44%, over Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, Romney won among men by an eight-point margin, 54% to 46%. That total 20-point gender gap is the largest Gallup has measured in a presidential election since it began compiling the vote by major subgroups in President Barack Obama won the two-party vote among female voters in the 2012 election by 12 points, 56% to 44%, over Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, Romney won among men by an eight-point margin, 54% to 46%. That total 20-point gender gap is the largest Gallup has measured in a presidential election since it began compiling the vote by major subgroups in 1952.