1. PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL ACTION (THE AMERICAN PEOPLE) Warm up: What are the two sides to the juxtaposition of popularity and leadership/decision making? “We live in a society obsessed with public opinion. But leadership has never been about popularity. ” -Marco Rubio

2. Introduction Public Opinion – The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues Demography – The science of population changes. Census – A valuable tool for understanding population changes- required every 10 years. – 2010 Census (1:35): – https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=bDB8N9DIu9Y

3. The American People by Ethnicity

4. The American People Political Culture – An overall set of values widely shared within a society. American Values – Liberty – Majority Rule (minority rights) a – Limited Government – Civic Duty – Private Property and Capitalism – Equality Which party will benefit from the minority majority?

5. The American People The Regional Shift – Reapportionment The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census. 435 members (1911) – Redistricting is done by state legislatures. Gerrymandering - The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent.

6. Daily Goal: I can explain the different ideologies present in American politics and they are acquired. Review What is demography? What are some examples of different demographics? What is the importance of the Census? What shifts in demographics are currently occurring in our country? What is a political culture? What values do Americans hold firm?

7. Gerrymandering Purpose – Packing (concentrate voters with similar voting tendencies) – Cracking (split opposition into multiple districts to reduce influence) – Hijacking (separating an incumbent from supporters) – Kidnapping (putting two incumbents against each other) Consequences – Malapportionment - districts of unequal size Influential Gerrymandering cases – Baker v. Carr (1962) Federal courts can review redistricting – Wesberry v. Sanders (1964) Districts must be proportionate to population – Reynolds v. Sims (1964) All districts must have same population – Shaw v. Reno (1993) Redistricting by race must be handled with scrutiny under the equal protection clause

8. What Americans Value Political Ideology – A coherent set of beliefs about politics, economics, public policy, and public purpose. – A consistent set of political beliefs Political ideologies may change over time

9. How Americans Learn About Politics Political Socialization – the process through which an individual acquires his or her political orientation The Process of Political Socialization – The Family (primary way and number one influence) Time & emotional commitment Political leanings of children often mirror their parent’s leanings (60% chance to be like parents)

10. Political Socialization (continued) The Mass Media – Influences what issues are important (in their view) – Play mostly short sound bites, not much platform – Generation gap in TV news viewing School / Education – Used by government to socialize the young into the culture and government (tends to make students more liberal) Religion – Catholics and Jews suffered discrimination Democrats appealed to them and gained their support – Evangelical protestants emphasize personal salvation therefore more conservative in social policies

11. Political Socialization (continued) Region – New England - more liberal – Southeast/Bible Belt - more conservative – Midwest - more conservative – Pacific - more liberal – Urban - more liberal/Democratic – Suburbs/small towns - more conservative – Rural - more conservative/Republican

12. Representatives and Religious Affiliation

13. The American Political Continuum Radical Liberal ModerateLibertarian Conservative

14. Political Ideologies Radical – Rapid fundamental changes; extreme methods such as revolution Liberal – Supports political and social reforms; government regulations; minority support; equality Moderate – More tolerant; shares liberal and conservative beliefs Conservative – Support social and economic status quo; reluctant for change, and only gradual change; less government; liberty Reactionary – Return to previous or historical system; extreme methods for accomplishment

15. Demographics and Ideology The Republican Party Coalition – Rural voters/farmers – White males – Business owners – Conservative Christians – College Educated The Democratic Party Coalition – Urban dwellers – Union members – Hispanics and African Americans – High School Diploma – Advanced Degree The Gender Gap – Women vote for the Democratic candidates at higher rates than Republican candidates.

16. Political Ideologies Based on Personal and Economics Issues Pure Liberal – Economic regulation, ensure individual liberties – Tend to be young, college-educated, Jewish or secular Pure Conservative – No economic regulation, regulate morality – Tend to be older, high incomes, white, Midwest Libertarians – No economic regulation, ensure individual liberties – Tend to be young, college-educated, white, higher incomes, secular, West Populists – Economic regulation, regulate morality – Tend to be older, poor education, low-income, religious, female, South/Midwest

17. Political Identity

18. The American People The Graying of America – Fastest growing group is over 65 – Potential drain on Social Security by 2020 Why? – “Gray Power” – What is one advantage that no other group has besides old people? we are all going to get older Entitlements have been the fastest growing portion of the federal budget since the 1960s

19. Political Ideologies A few examples: Liberals – More domestic spending (social security, education, Medicare/ACA) – Pro-choice – Favor affirmative action – Favor progressive taxation – Pro gay marriage Conservatives – More military spending – Pro-life – Oppose affirmative action – Keep taxes low – Support traditional marriage

20. What Do You Believe? Your Philosophy? Is the death penalty inhumane or a deterrent? Are you pro-choice or pro-life? Do you believe prayer in public school shouldn’t be allowed or should be as long as no one is forced to participate? Is global warming man-made or a natural cycle? Should we have gun rights or gun controls? Do believe in free trade or fair trade? Do you believe in equal opportunity or equal outcomes? Should we have a large federal government to enforce civil liberties or should we allow for states’ rights? Should healthcare be single payer or up to the free market? Should taxes be minimal on all groups or should we tax those with the means to pay? Should immigration be based on blood or skills? Should affirmative action be used to make up for past wrongs? Should we downsize our military or keep it the size that ensures protection from abroad? Should we tax & regulate coal, oil, and natural gas while we subsidize alternative energies or let the markets function? Do you believe in American exceptionalism (America is the best country with a culture that is superior to what the world has ever known)? Should the government take a role in stimulating the economy during economic downturns or just let it be? Should the federal government determine same-sex marriage or should the states? Should social security remain as a government safety net or should it be privatized? Should the government regulate our economy or allow for the free market? Do you believe “white privilege” exists?

21. ISSUELIBERALCONSERVATIVE Scope of GovernmentLarge government to enforce liberties and equality Limited government; states’ rights TaxesIncrease for businesses and upper-classTax cuts for businesses and all classes Government SpendingIncrease to stimulate economyDecrease to avoid debt; austerity policies Defense Spending and MilitaryDecrease bureaucracy and spendingIncrease for national security Affirmative ActionSupport and expandReduce or eliminate; “reverse racism” AbortionPro-choice; include as part of health carePro-life; allowed only in cases of rape, incest, health of mother EconomyIncreased regulation; support Federal Reserve Free enterprise and free market economy Global WarmingMan-made consequenceNatural global cycle Same-Sex MarriageSupport equality of marriageMarriage between a man and woman; states decide Global AffairsSupport the United NationsAmerican exceptionalism EnergyAlternative and cleaner resourcesSubsidies for natural gas, oil, coal Social SecurityPreserve the safety netNeeds reform; privatization Health CareGovernment-controlled low-cost care; single-payer option Free market and private-run health care Death PenaltyInhumaneCrime deterrent ImmigrationEasier path to citizenship; multiculturalSecure the borders; English at official language Prayer in SchoolsViolates separation of church and state; secular government Official practice; teach intelligent design Global MarketFair tradeFree trade 2 nd Amendment (Right to bear arms)Gun controlGun rights EqualityFair chanceEqual opportunity