Public Opinion and Political Action Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Fourteenth Edition Chapter 6 Public Opinion and Political Action

What teachers think I do.

Introduction Public Opinion Demography Census Population’s distribution of the beliefs about politics & issues Demography The science of population changes Census Required every 10 years by the Constitution

The American People Melting Pot: the mixing of cultures, ideas, and peoples that has changed the American nation Minority Majority: the emergence of a non-Caucasian majority Political culture is an overall set of values widely shared within a society.

A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS “MELTING POT” “SALAD BOWL”

SHOULD THE U.S. BE A MELTING POT OR SALAD BOWL ??? 5 minutes 50 words “Pop” Essay

The American People

EDUCATION INFLUENCES EVERYTHING

The American People An Immigrant Society Three waves of immigration: Northwestern Europeans (Mid to late 1800s) Southern & eastern Europeans (late 1800sth, early 20th) Hispanics and Asians (late 1900s - today)

INTERNAL MIGRATION The Regional Shift Population shift from east to west and north to south Reapportionment: the process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census

1944 ELECTORAL COLLEGE

2012 ELECTORAL COLLEGE

The American People The Graying of America Fastest growing age group is over 65 Potential drain on Social Security Pay as you go system In 1942, 42 workers per retiree In 2040, ~2 workers per retiree

How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization The process through which and individual acquires their particular political orientation. The Process of Political Socialization The Family: Most important factor.

How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization

Sources of Political Socialization Family members Peers School Religion Media (especially television) Demographics: race, ethnicity, gender, age, and region. Outside events.

Figure 11.2- Religious Self-Identification  Back

First-Year College Student Ideology  Back

Age, Voting & Political Socialization Aging increases political participation and strength of party attachment.

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information How Polls Are Conducted Sample The small proportion of people who are chosen Random Sampling Everyone should have an equal probability Sampling Error Level of confidence in the findings of a poll

Shortcomings of Polling Must consider margin of error. May make errors in selecting the sample. Biased, awkward wording of questions Polls limit respondents’ options. People may not have enough information to answer. Measures of intensity may be imprecise.

Figure 11.6- Random Digit Dialing  Back

4/23/2017 political parties 33

Figure 11.3- Views on Hurricane Katrina  Back

Figure 11.5- Opinion on Gas Taxes  Back

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information The Role of Polls in American Democracy All politicians use polls Polls help politicians detect public preferences

Measuring Public Opinion and The Media The Role of Polls in American Democracy Polls may distort election process Predictive Polls (before an election) Used by media. Causes ‘horserace’ focus. Exit Polls Used by the media to predict election day winners May discourage people from voting

Effects of Public Opinion May influence the course of public policy. Some critics argue this weakens democracy. Creation of bandwagon and underdog effects.

Figure 11.4- The Gallup Poll  Back

Figure 11.7- Daily Tracking Poll  Back

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information Polls Reveal Americans’ Political Information Americans don’t know much about politics

QUIZ

Table 11.2- Political Knowledge  Back

TAKE OUT A PIECE OF PAPER & WRITE THE NATION & THE MATCHING NUMBER

# % Correct Grade 16 100 15 94 14 88 13 81 12 75 11 69 10 63 9 56 8 50 7 44 6 38 5 31 4 25 3 19 2 1

Polls reveal a “ CREDIBILITY GAP ” MISTRUST OF GOVERNMENT INCREASING SINCE THE 1960’S INTERNAL EFFICACY (I make a difference) SAME SINCE THE 1950’S EXTERNAL EFFICACY (The system works) DECLINING SINCE THE 1960’S 4/23/2017 AP - Ch 4 - US POL CULTURE

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information

Highest

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies Political Ideology: Coherent set of beliefs about politics and public policy / purpose Who Are the Liberals and Conservatives? Predominance of conservative over liberal thinking 38% conservative 24% liberal 38% moderate Gender gap: women tend to be less conservative than men Ideological variation by religion too

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies

Table 11.1- Gender Differences  Back

How Americans Participate in Politics Political Participation: all the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue Conventional Participation Voting in elections Contacting elected officials Working in campaigns Running for office

How Americans Participate in Politics Protest Achieve changes through dramatic / unconventional tactics Civil disobedience Conscious decision to break a law Belief law is immoral Accept law-breaking consequence

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies How do people think politically? Ideologues: think in ideological terms Group Benefits voters: view politics through party or group label Nature of the Times: view of politics based on whether times are good or bad No issue content: vote routinely for party or personality

Class and Participation

Understanding Public Opinion and Political Action Many people have no opinion about government Public opinion is inconsistent In a Democracy do we get the government we deserve?

Figure 11.8- Public Opinion on Iraq Back

IMPORTANT CULTURAL ELEMENTS LIBERTY EQUALITY DEMOCRACY CIVIC DUTY INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY 4/23/2017 AP - Ch 4 - US POL CULTURE

AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE UNIQUE AMERICAN QUALITIES TOCQUEVILLE’S DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA NO ARISTOCRACY WESTWARD MOVEMENT NATION OF SMALL & INDEPENDENT FARMERS 4/23/2017 AP - Ch 4 - US POL CULTURE

Alexis de Tocqueville TRAVEL IN THE U. S Alexis de Tocqueville TRAVEL IN THE U.S. IN 1832 DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA PUBLISHED VOL 1 1835 PUBLISHED VOL 2 1840 4/23/2017 AP - Ch 4 - US POL CULTURE

SOCIOLOGICAL FACTORS PURITAN HERITAGE FOLLOW LAWS, WORK HARD LACK OF CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS MOST SEEN AS MIDDLE CLASS 4/23/2017 AP - Ch 4 - US POL CULTURE

THE CULTURE WAR ORTHODOX GOD’S MORALITY FIXED MOST IMPORTANT PROGRESSIVE GUIDELINES CHANGE ACCORDING TO SITUATION PERSONAL FREEDOM 4/23/2017 AP - Ch 4 - US POL CULTURE

Highest Lowest

ECONOMIC BELIEFS SUPPORT OF FREE ENTERPRISE (CAPITALISM) …WITH GOV’T REGULATION (SOCIALISM) EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY 4/23/2017 AP - Ch 4 - US POL CULTURE

WHY DOES AMERICAN DEMOCRACY WORK ? CONSENSUS VIEW (LOUIS HARTZ) AMERICANS SHARE SAME BASIC VALUES CONFLICT VIEW (VERNON PARRINGTON) DIFFERENT MAJOR VIEWS COMPETE (LIB. Vs CONS.) 4/23/2017 AP - Ch 4 - US POL CULTURE

WHAT SHOULD DETERMINE WHO GETS INTO A COLLEGE ?

WHO SHOULD DETERMINE WHO GETS INTO A COLLEGE ?

WHO WILL YOU ACCEPT INTO . . . BROWN UNIVERSITY

WILMA ?? 3.5 GPA 25 ACT SCORE 5 AP COURSES 10 HONOR COURSES 2 SPORTS (4 YEARS EACH) 5 CLUBS (3 FOR 4 YEARS, 2 FOR 3 YEARS)

ADALAI ?? 3.1 GPA 22 ACT SCORE 0 AP COURSES 2 HONOR COURSES 2 SPORTS (2 YEARS EACH) 5 CLUBS (5 FOR 4 YEARS)

WILMA ADALAI 3.5 GPA 3.1 25 ACT SCORE 22 5 AP COURSES 0 10 HONOR COURSES 2 2 SPORTS 2 5 CLUBS 5

WILMA ADALAI W / SCHOOL A / SCHOOL 3.5/3.8 GPA 3.1/1.5 25/29 ACT SCORE 22/12 5/15 AP COURSES 0/0 10/40 HONOR COURSES 2/2 2/12 SPORTS 2/3* 5/35 CLUBS 5/5 * No extra-curricular activities for 2 years (Levy Failed)

College Admissions Advantage Legacies Still Get A Staggeringly Unfair College Admissions Advantage Max Nisen Jun. 5, 2013, 3:49 PM * 45.1% more likely to get in. * Equivalent to a 160-point swing on an SAT score.  * There's some evidence that the practice has declined. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/legacy-kids-have-an-admissions-advantage-2013-6#ixzz2fFV5b75b

TEXAS STATE SCHOLARSHIP PLAN (2005) TOP 10 % OF CLASS FREE TUITION TO STATE SCHOOLS

2008 = 3 BILLS TO CHANGE LAW UNFAIR TO STUDENTS IN “GOOD” SCHOOLS CHANGING SCHOOLS DURING SENIOR YEAR MORE INFORMATION THAN CLASS RANK NEEDED

OGT INFO… BEST INDICATOR OF DISTRICT SUCCESS 1- COMMUNITY INCOME 2- % WITH COLLEGE DEGREES Dayton Daily News Sept 17, 2013

Summary American society is ethnically diverse and changing. Knowing public opinion is important to a democracy, polling has costs and benefits. Americans know little about politics. Political participation is generally low.