1. Chapter 7 Public Opinion

2. Why Does Government Policy Often Appear At Odds With Public Opinion? Copyright © 2013 Cengage The Framers of the Constitution did not try to create a government that would do from day to day “what the people want.” The Framers of the Constitution did not try to create a government that would do from day to day “what the people want.” They created a government for the purpose of achieving certain substantive goals. They created a government for the purpose of achieving certain substantive goals.

3. How Polling Works Poll- survey of public opinion Poll- survey of public opinion Straw poll was firstStraw poll was first Good polling: Good polling: Pose reasonable questions & worded fairlyPose reasonable questions & worded fairly They have some basis to form an opinionThey have some basis to form an opinion Bad polling: Bad polling: Poorly worded questionsPoorly worded questions Poorly trained interviewersPoorly trained interviewers Unrepresentative samplesUnrepresentative samples Respondent’s lack of knowledge or interestRespondent’s lack of knowledge or interest Scientific sampling: Scientific sampling: Gallup Organization & Pew ResearchGallup Organization & Pew Research Random sampling: Random sampling: Reasonably accurate measure of how the entire population thinks or feelsReasonably accurate measure of how the entire population thinks or feels Sampling error: Sampling error: Reflects the difference between the results of two surveys or samplesReflects the difference between the results of two surveys or samples Exit polls: Exit polls: Interview conducted on election day at polling places. Proven to be quite accurateInterview conducted on election day at polling places. Proven to be quite accurate Copyright © 2013 Cengage

4. Political Socialization Political socialization – process by which background traits influence one’s political views Political socialization – process by which background traits influence one’s political views Genes and the Family Genes and the Family Children grow up learning, but not always following, their parents’ political beliefs.Children grow up learning, but not always following, their parents’ political beliefs. Most high school students know & share their parent’s party affiliation.Most high school students know & share their parent’s party affiliation. Genetic background explains some of our political ideologyGenetic background explains some of our political ideology Age differences – “red-diaper babies”Age differences – “red-diaper babies” Religion Religion Social issuesSocial issues Age generationAge generation The Gender Gap The Gender Gap Difference in political views between men & womenDifference in political views between men & women From 1920-1980 women voted lessFrom 1920-1980 women voted less Since 1980 women have voted slightly higher then menSince 1980 women have voted slightly higher then men Women are more likely to support Democratic candidatesWomen are more likely to support Democratic candidates Look over chart on pg. 160Look over chart on pg. 160 Democratic Party places greater emphasis on issues that women believe matter mostDemocratic Party places greater emphasis on issues that women believe matter most Copyright © 2013 Cengage

5. Young Adults on Politics and Politicians Copyright © 2013 Cengage Source: Institute of Politics, The 17th Biannual Youth Survey on Politics and Public Service, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Spring 2010.

6. Copyright © 2013 Cengage Opinions by Four Christian Groups on Four Issues Opinions by Four Christian Groups on Four Issues Source: Adapted from Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, American Views on Religion, Politics, & Public Policy, 2010, pp. 37, 41, and 46, and “Faith-Based Programs Still Popular, Less Visible,” November 16, 2009, p. 2.

7. Worship Service Attendance and the Probability of Voting Democratic (2000–2008) Worship Service Attendance and the Probability of Voting Democratic (2000–2008) Copyright © 2013 Cengage Source: Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, American Views on Religion, Politics & Public Policy, 2010, p. 85.

8. Copyright © 2013 Cengage Source: Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, Gen Dems: The Party’s Advantage Among Young Voters Widens, April 28, 2008.

9. Cleavages in Public Opinion Social Class Social Class Hard to define in the U.S., recognized in specific cases Less important in U.S. than in Europe Class differences on political views and voting patterns narrowed during 1940-1960 Blue-collar workers in U.S. think of themselves as middle-class though can be labeled as working class Unskilled workers more likely to be Democrats Noneconomic issues now define liberal & conservative Race and Ethnicity Race and Ethnicity African Americans: Overwhelmingly Democratic Younger blacks identify with Republican party with school vouchers to pay for education Sharp differences between black and white attitudes on public policy questions Blacks support affirmative action, criminal justice system is biased against them Oppose use of military force, doubt we should be willing to fight for our country Region -Southerners are less Democratic than most of the 20 th century Region -Southerners are less Democratic than most of the 20 th century No Democratic presidential candidate has won a majority of white southern votes since Lyndon Johnson in 1964 Copyright © 2013 Cengage

10. Political Ideology Political Ideology - A more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government ought to pursue. Political Ideology - A more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government ought to pursue. Mass Ideologies: A Typology pg.165 Mass Ideologies: A Typology pg.165 Liberal and Conservative Elites Liberal and Conservative Elites Copyright © 2013 Cengage

11. Source: Adapted from “Profiles of the Typology Groups: Beyond Red and Blue,” Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 2005.

12. Political Elites, Public Opinion, and Public Policy Political elites – persons with a disproportionate share of political power. Political elites – persons with a disproportionate share of political power. Elites raise and frame political issues. Elites raise and frame political issues. Elites state the norms by which issues should be settled. Elites state the norms by which issues should be settled. Elites are better informed on political issues Elites are better informed on political issues Copyright © 2013 Cengage