1. Warm Up – 9/5

2. Warm Up
Which of the following is the leading predictor of how an individual will vote in a congressional election?
A) Newspaper endorsements
B) Gender
C) Partisanship
D) Presidential endorsement
E) Occupation

3. How Americans Think Politically
Party Identification
Ideology
Group Attachments
Today we are viewing people as groups, not as individuals
Not everyone will match these opinions

4. Party Identification
The personal sense of loyalty that an individual feels toward a particular party
“I’m a Republican” “I’m a Democrat”
2/3 of Americans call themselves either R or D
Party identification is fluid, but typically lifelong attachments
If you are going to change, when would you?
Partisanship

5. Political Ideology
A consistent pattern of opinions on particular issues that stems from a core set of beliefs
Liberalism
Conservatism
Socialism
Libertarianism

6. Liberalism Willing to have government interaction
“Let the government take care of the poor and the rich will take care of themselves.”
What does this result in?
All people are equal
In opportunity, discrimination and wealth
Bring the poor up, rather than capping rich
24% of Americans consider themselves liberal

7. Criticism of Liberals Too much reliance on the government Higher taxes
“Power corrupts, so power must be limited.”

8. Conservatism
Limited government, individual excellence and personal achievement
Private property and free enterprise (pro-business)
Small government, except in defense
Pessimistic on human nature
Government needs to ensure order
Those who fail, are the architects of their own misfortune
37% of Americans consider themselves conservative

9. Critics of Conservatives
Selective opposition to government
“They want more government when it serves their needs.”
Too much faith in the market economy
“Lower taxes on the rich makes the rich richer.”

10. Socialism Mixture of capitalism and communism
Favor expanded government
Nationalize certain industries
Public jobs programs (If you want to work, here’s a job)
More taxes for the wealthy
Cut defense spending

11. Libertarianism Sharply limited government
Opposition to all government programs
Massive government spending cuts
Only defense spending if the US is attacked
Oppose all government regulation
Repeal laws that regulate personal morality
Drugs, pornography, abortion, prostitution

12. Independents
The belief of moderates do not constitute a coherent ideology
Use common sense rather than philosophical principles
35% of Americans consider themselves moderate

13. Ideology in America Conservatives outnumber liberals
6% consider themselves extreme L or C
Opinion consistency is very rare
Political issues are viewed as isolated
How does that make things difficult for voters?

14. Group Attachments Income – Rich: Republican
Education – High school or below: Democrat
Postgraduate: Also Democrat
Gender – Women: Democrat
Age – Older: Republican
Religion – Protestants: Republican
Catholics and Jews: Democrat
Ethnic Group – Minorities: Democrat
Geography – Urban Centers: Democrat