1. Lecture #5: Public Opinion and Political Participation
July 19, 2017
Lecture #5: Public Opinion and Political Participation

2. Midterm Midterm next Monday Should take about an hour
Mix of multiple-choice and short answer
Review guide will go up tonight.

3. Public Opinion and Political Participation
What ought to be the relationship between “public opinion” and public policy?
Are the people competent to govern themselves?
Moral/psychological?
Do they possess the virtues requisite to self-government?
Intellectual?
Do they know what they need to know?

4. Political Socialization
Social learning theory – idea that people emulate those they admire and avoiding the ideas of those they don’t.
Transfer theory – people carry over ideas from one setting to another
Cognitive development theory – understanding depends upon stages of mental development.

5. Agents of Socialization
Family
School
Peers
Others?
Where did you become acquainted with political opinions?

6. Participation Following politics and voting Giving money
Contacting officials - lobbying
Political protest
Marches and rallies
Boycotts
Picketing
Political violence
Riots
Crimes
Civil Disobedience

7. Civil Disobedience as Protest
Much of “politics” happens outside the rules.
How do we know when such politics is legitimate?
Only citizens can vote, but is it true that only citizens can be a part of politics?

8. Exit Polls Why bother to vote?
2008:
2012:
2014:
Voting is somewhat predictable based upon:
Race
Gender
Geographic location
Religiosity
Income
Why bother to vote?

9. Paradox of Voting
Strictly speaking, it is not completely rational to bother voting.
Your vote has almost no chance of actually effecting the outcome of an election. So, why bother?
There is really no sensible, selfish reason to bother voting. It is done out of a sense of duty, community spirit, and social pressure. And, that’s a good thing!

10. Voter Turnout over Time

11. Voter Turnout by State

12. Who votes matters? Hotly contested issue
Originally white, male property owners over 25
12th Amendment (1804) - rules on electoral college
14th Amendment (1868) – who is a citizen?
15th Amendment (1870) – All races can vote
19th Amendment (1920) – All sexes can vote
23rd Amendment (1961) – DC Residents can vote
24th Amendment (1964) - No poll taxes
26th Amendment (1971) – 18 year olds can vote

13. Prop 187
1994 Ballot Initiative to prohibit illegal immigrants from using state services:
No healthcare
No public education
Passed 59%-41%
Passed even in Los Angeles County
Latinos opposed Prop. 187 (27%-73%)

14. So How Did Proposition 187 Pass?
1990: Latinos were 26% of CA’s population, 15% of eligible voters, 10% of registered voters, but just 6% of actual voters in June primary.
1994: Latinos were about 28% of CA’s population, but only 9% of the electorate.
After 1994, Latinos in CA mobilized.
Turnout of newly registered Latinos went from 43% in 1994 to 67% in 1996.
Dem vote share of Latinos went from 52%-40% to 73%-21%.

15. A Sleeping Giant Wakes Up

16. 2012 Presidential Election

17. Only White Men

18. Only White Men and Women

19. Only Men

20. No Young Voters (Under 24)

21. 2012 Presidential Election