1. Chapter 13
In Conclusion…

2. What Extent should citizens rule in a democracy?
Democracy= Demos + Kratein
“The People” + “to rule” = Rule by the People
Five Questions:
What role should citizens play in a democratic society?
Are citizens pliable?
Do citizens organize their political thinking?
Do citizens endorse and demonstrate democratic basics?
What is the relationship between citizens and their government?

3. What role for citizens?

4. Are citizens Pliable? Yes, to an extent
Citizens are influenced by the environment around them
Minds can be changed based upon new information
Agents of socialization include: schools, peers, political events, parents, Internet, social media, additional media channels
The extent to which citizens are pliable differs across individuals
Politically unaware = unstable attitudes
Politically aware = more stable, rely on predispositions

5. Media Citizens prefer media to be consistent with preexisting views
Media affects through agenda setting, priming, and framing

6. Attitude Stability
Influenced by how the citizen processes persuasive messages
Peripheral route = process quickly without detailed thought and consideration
Unstable attitudes
Central route = careful consideration of the message
Durable attitudes

7. Do Citizens Organize Their Political Thinking?
Converse = NO!
Other scholars= Maybe?
There are a variety of forces that influence citizens, including attitudes toward social and political groups, values, personality, historical events, and occasional self-interest
Not all of these attitudes are democratically productive, not all of these attitudes are democratically counterproductive.
Group attitudes have a strong influence on citizen thinking
Increased affective polarization is a concern because animosity toward one’s opponent does not lead to the kind of constructive democratic engagement desired by participatory democrats.

8. Do Citizens Endorse and Demonstrate Democratic Basics?
Two part question, break it up:
Do Citizens Endorse Democratic Basics?
Yes! Overwhelmingly, citizens endorse democratic basics
Do Citizens Demonstrate Democratic Basics?
Not always.
Citizens are less likely to demonstrate democratic basics in times of war or with groups the citizen despises.

9. NIMBY NIMBY = Not In My BackYard
The concept that an idea is a good idea, just not near me, or where I have to deal with the potential consequences.
Citizens will say they are for an action in support of democratic basics, but when it comes to an activity to support it, a smaller proportion of citizens will actually favor the action, such as school busing to improve integration.

10. Political Interest
Citizens express at least modest interest in politics and are quite attentive to political campaigns
Many citizens lack the political knowledge needed to participate effectively in a democratic society, and too many can be characterized as complete bystanders

11. What is the relationship between citizens and government?
High levels of distrust
Not much respect for those running government
Support of the basic institutions
If this were a marriage or a dating relationship, divorce or break-up would be on the table. (This is not a positive situation for a government and its citizens).
Currently a vicious cycle = There is less trust in government and its officials, lower approval of the government workers; people are less likely to participate. Since they are participating less, they have less trust and lower approval. And the cycle repeats.

12. Are officials responsive to the public?
Yes, when the issue is highly salient
Yes, when the public is attentive, especially when wealthy
Otherwise, not particularly

13. Theoretical Perspectives
Theory
Role for citizens?
Are citizens pliable?
Organize political thinking
Endorse and Demonstrate Democratic Basics
Relationship
Classical
Fundamental, informed, interested, involved
Elite
Indirect control through competitive elections
Citizens do not have well-considered meaningful opinions; cues from elites
Worry about accountability when citizens and elites are not on the same page
Citizens are not capable of a central role; elites should dominate
Expect citizens to be skeptical, but do not want approval so low as to undermine function; pleased with limited role of citizens
Pluralist
Citizens views articulated through interest groups
Groups are central to politics; citizens naturally organize thinking into groups
Appreciate prominence of interest groups
Participatory
Citizens can live up to the classical ideal; remove barriers
Structural factors lead to instability; fluctuations demonstrate the public’s ability to assess and evaluate the environment;
High levels of support for principles is good; if barriers removed, learn to put into practice
Citizens more involved=government more responsive, more trust; virtuous cycle; troubled by little influence of citizen and concerned about manipulation by elites.

14. What do we make of public opinion?
Data and evidence most consistent with elite and pluralist view of politics
Normatively, is that a good thing?
Will understanding and removing barriers increase participation?
Does greater participation make better citizens?