1. Political Socialization & Public Opinion
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2. To what extent should public opinion drive public policy?
Pluralistic View
Believes that citizens should be informed and should participate in democratic decision making to ensure the health and vitality of the system
Elitist View
Believes that complex decisions need to be made free of public pressure. The masses should be “spectators” in the process
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3. What types of values do Americans generally share?
Fundamental Values
What types of values do Americans generally share?
Although we may share common values, we often disagree over their meaning and differ on specific policies related to these values
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4. The Stability of Political Beliefs
Public Opinion on Abortion
Political Culture
The set of economic, political, and governmental values and beliefs that support political institutions, processes and practices, and belief systems
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5. Pathways Past and Present: Sexism Reconsidered
The percentage of people who believe that women should have an equal role with men in running business, industry, and government,
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6. From Values to Ideology
Political Ideology
A consistent set of fundamental beliefs about the proper purpose and scope of government
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7. Liberalism and Conservatism
A belief in free markets, limited government, and individual self-reliance in economic affairs, combined with a belief in the value of tradition, law, and morality in social affairs
Liberalism
A belief in a strong government to provide economic security and protection for civil rights, combined with a freedom from government intervention in social conduct
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8. Ideology and Tolerance
Whereas liberals are highly concerned about the issue of due process, conservatives tend to take a narrower view on the rights of the accused
“It’s been hell! The breakfast bagels aren’t toasted, I can’t sleep with a nightlight, there’s no “dry hair” formula shampoo in the showers, and the guard won’t get close enough for me to stab him with a spoon!”
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9. Ideologies: Liberalism and Conservatism
Liberals’ concern about efforts to curtail social welfare programs reflects their support of strong government
Conservatives’ demand for tax cuts reflects a preference for government that encourages individual initiative
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10. Classic Liberalism v. Modern Liberalism
Classic: from 18th century, wanted protection of property and limited role of govt.
This is similar to today’s conservative!
Modern (New Deal) Liberalism: wanted an expanded role of govt.
Corporation seen as threat to liberty
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11. The Conservative Movement
Conservative movement was revitalized in the 1970s and 1980s
Traditional conservatives and social conservatives merged to give the movement as a whole greater visibility
Growth of neoconservatism
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12. Libertarianism
An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on a sharply limited government, promoting a free market economy, a noninterventionist foreign policy, and an absence of regulation in the moral and social spheres
Michael Badnarik, Libertarian candidate for president in 2004
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13. Populist
Individuals who share with conservatives a concern for traditional values, but like liberals, favor an active role in economics
Most committed to activism
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14. Differences in Political Ideology
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15. Political Ideology over Time
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16. Ideology Curve
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17. Political Socialization
The conscious and unconscious transmission of culture and values from one generation to another.
A process through which people learn political information, form political knowledge, and develop political values
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18. Agents of Socialization
#1- Family
How does family influence our beliefs?
Family has STRONGEST influence on political identification
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19. Agents of Socialization
Agent #2- Schools & Education
How does the education we receive impact our political views?
Studies show the more formal education one receives, the more knowledge of issues and events, the more likely to participate in politics/government
Higher education level -> more liberal
Schools
Schools teach an idealized view of the nation’s slogans and symbols
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20. Education
Education tends to increase citizens’ awareness and understanding of political issues, often having a liberalizing effect on non-fiscal social issues
Percentage of Americans Favoring Particular Public Policies, by Education, 2004
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21. Agents of Socialization
#3- Religion
Those raised in religious households tend to be socialized to contribute to society and to get involved in their communities
Social Status Theory: Catholics & Jews originally poor & discriminated attached to more liberal social doctrine
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23. Religion
Today nearly 85 percent of Americans say that they belong to an organized religion, 75 percent say that religion is important to their lives, and 95 percent say that they believe in God
Percentage of Americans Identifying with the Major Political Parties, by Religion
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24. Agents of Socialization
#4- Peers and Community
Research shows that in heterogeneous communities, political participation tends to be higher, with more contested and competitive elections and with more political debate than in homogeneous communities
Studies show when peers engage in political discussion, political attitudes are formed and solidified
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25. Agents of Socialization
#5- Media
Most get information from television
People tend to gravitate towards media that matches their views (selective attention)
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26. Other Agents of Socialization
Gender: Men more conservative, women more liberal (more nurturing?)
Race: The lighter the more conservative. Blacks most solid group (Democratic)
Asian Americans identify more with Republicans
Latinos more Democratic
Income: The more wealth, the more conservative.
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27. Economic Bases of Partisanship and Public Opinion
The principal generalization that you can make about loyalties to the parties in modern times is that they are based primarily on socioeconomic status
Percentage of Americans Favoring Particular Public Policies, by Family Income, 2004
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28. What are some of the consequences of these polarized views?
Race and Ethnicity
49 percent of white respondents think that affirmative action has gone too far, while 79 percent of minority respondents think that it is still needed.
What are some of the consequences of these polarized views?
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29. Impact of Events--September 11
The attacks of 9/11 altered public opinion in two ways
Concerns over personal safety have diminished but a general sense of fear remains
Prompted a surge in patriotism and a sense of uniting in battle
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