Unit 2 Ch 6-11 Inputs to US Government

Quiz 1.Briefly explain the 3 “waves” of immigration. 2.What is the #1 source of a citizen’s political socialization? 3.Explain the “gender gap”. 4.What is the mandate theory of elections? 5.How does personal income influence which party someone votes for?

Demography Statistical study of populations Ex. of demographic groups –Income –Race/ethnicity –Age –Marriage status –Education –Religion –Occupation –Gender –Urban/rural –Home ownership

Generations Baby boomers (born 1946-mid 60s) –Highest birthrates in last 90 years –In 1965, 40% of USA was under 20 –Oldest ones are retiring now 3 most recent presidents –Clinton & GW Bush born 1946 –Obama born 1961

# of babies born in USA

Other generations Generation X (mid 60s-early 80s) Millennials/Gen Y (80s-early 90s) Later generations tend to be: –More cynical / less trusting –More likely to be independents –MUCH less politically active

Graying of America Average age in US higher than ever –Fewer babies born Fertility rate dropping –Elderly are living longer Better healthcare than ever before Strong 20 th C economy – people could retire then live long & prosper

Demography Dependency ratio –Measures how much of population supported by productive population –Low dependency ratios: better ability for country to grow economically

Immigration Movement of people into a country Emigration – movement away Slaves don’t count in immigration numbers – assumes intentional

Immigration Phases: –Colonies – most immigrants were European indentured servants –Mid-19 th C – most from north Europe –Late 19 th - early 20 th C – south & east Europe –Post 1965 – Latin America & Asia

Movement within US Urbanization –Urban = 2500 –Rural % of population in steady decline 1800 – 95% rural / 5% urban 1890 – 65% rural / 35% urban 1920 – urban > rural 1990 – 25% rural / 75% urban

Movement within US Great Migration ( s) –Blacks moved from rural south to big cities (often in other areas of US)

African American concentration

Movement within US Rust Belt to Sun Belt Since 1960s/1970s 25 electoral votes moved from Rust to Sun since 1970 All elected presidents were from Sun Belt

Sun Belt Migration Invention of air conditioning Transportation / communication Retirement Industry moved from MW to SE/SW Immigration

Political beliefs Ideology –Beliefs of an individual Political culture –Beliefs of society as a whole Americans basically agree on virtually all issues

Political ideology Easily broken out into 2 areas: Economic Policy –Taxation level –Amount of business regulation –Free trade v. protectionism Social Policy –Gov involvement in private lives

Major American Ideologies Conservatism –Limited economic policy Fewer business regulations Lower taxes & spending –Active social policy More rules on personal life

Major American Ideologies Liberalism –Active economic policy More business regulations Higher taxes & spending –Limited social policy Fewer laws restricting behavior

Less Common Ideologies Libertarianism –Limited both economic & social policy –As little government as possible Socialism –Active both economic & social policy –Government major player – all of life

Ideology and Political Parties Ideology ≠ political party membership –Liberals tend to be Democrats –Conservatives tend to be Republicans –BUT NOT ALWAYS Party identification MUCH more complicated

Ideology and Political Parties Political Socialization –Process people develop political beliefs –There are many sources: Media / school / peers Race / age / income / religion / gender –ABSOLUTE #1 source: PARENTS

Does media influence us? Not as much as we think More influence: –Which issues are important Less influence: –What to believe about issues

Cleavages Divisions of society that cause people to vote differently Differences in voting reflect differences in demographics

Cleavages Reinforcing cleavages –Social differentiations coincide –If incomes, regions, races, religions create redundant political divisions –Pushes people farther apart –Less chance of compromise –More oppressive / civil war more likely

Cleavages Cross-cutting cleavages –Social differentiations cancel out –If region, religion, race, etc. don’t result in same difference over & over –Healthier society – not always us vs. them (because they’re evil) –Relatively moderate, non-ideological, weaker political parties – like USA