1. Chapter 6 Public Opinion

2. Public Opinion
Traditionally, the distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues.
In a democracy, the government needs to gauge public opinion to determine the course of action it should take.

3. Two Properties of Public Opinion
Direction
Intensity

4. Census A tool for understanding our population. Taken every ten years.
Last one was in 2010.

5. Political Culture
The array of attitudes, beliefs, preferences and values that citizens hold about a government and its legitimacy.

6. Regional Shifts
In 1911, the House of Representatives set at 435 members.
As population moves around and grows, Congress has to be reapportioned.
Sometimes gerrymandering occurs.

8. Regional Party Identification
Democrat
Industrial NE
Midatlantic
West Coast
Republican
South
Sunbelt
Rocky Mountain Midwest

9. Gerrymandering
Redistricting in a way so as to favor one party.

10. Political Socialization
How most children learn about politics
Primary social agent: family
Secondary social agent:
Friends
Teachers
Clergy
Media
Tremendous effect on the perpetuation of the two-party system
The reality is that children internalize what they hear and see within their family unit

11. Political Socialization (cont.)
Begin learning around teenage years
Will identify with a party based on what is heard at home
Mother and Father both Democrats, 65% of children become Democrats
Mother and Father both Republicans, 70% of children become Republicans

12. Political Socialization (cont.)
If Mother and Father are of different parties, then what matters?
Closeness
Which parent cares more about politics?
Secondary
Apathetic
Caregiver
More tend to choose the Mother’s party

13. Sample
Relatively small proportion of people who are chosen in a survey so as to be representative of the whole.

14. Random Sample
The key technique employed by sophisticated survey researchers, which operates on the principle that everyone should have equal probability of being selected for the sample.

15. Sampling Error
The level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll.
The more people interviewed, the more confident one can be of the results.

16. Random digit dialing
A technique used by pollsters to place telephone calls randomly to both listed and unlisted numbers when conducting a survey.

17. Exit Polls
After leaving the precinct, voters are asked for whom they voted
This is one of the most accurate predictions of election
outcomes

18. Ideology
A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose.
It helps give meaning to political events, personalities, and policies.

19. Democrats Republicans
liberals
Democrats
Change
conservatives
Republicans
Status- Quo

20. Ideological Positions
conservatives
Pro-Life
Pro-Privatization
Marriage is between a man and a women
Pro – Prayer in Schools
Pro – Tax Cuts
Pull yourself up by your bootstraps
liberals
Pro-Choice
Pro- Public Institutions
Pro – Gay Marriage
Anti – Prayer in Schools
Pro – Public Program
Pro – Welfare benefits

21. Gender Gap
The idea that women tend to be more liberal than men, and thus vote more for Democrats than men.
NOT TOTALLY TRUE!!!!!!!!
SINGLE WOMEN tend to be more liberal than most men, but MARRIED WOMEN tend to vote in patterns similar to men.
Overall, women turn out to vote in higher numbers than men turn out.

22. Political Participation
Most Americans don’t participate in most political activities
Where Americans participate most is in voting (still very low)
Participation varies among Americans based on socio-economic characteristics

23. Political Participation (cont.)
The more educated, the more likely you are to participate
Higher income
Higher Social Class
Is this a problem for democracy? Why?

24. Types of Participation
Voting
Protest
Campaign work
Running for office
Working as a staffer for a politician
Lobbying the government
Donating money to a political cause