6Pump Primer

List some of the political views likely to be taken by liberals and conservatives.

6Public Opinion and Political Action

6Biblical Integration

Government’s God—given functions and boundaries

The Christian and propagandaChristians need to weigh the origins, influence, and purpose of most opinion polls. (John 12:42-43)

There are times when public opinion may not be the best for the overall good of society (Ex. 32:19-24; Matt. 27:17-24)

Video: The Big Picture

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch06_Public_Opinion_Seg1_v2.html

6

6Learning Objectives

Identify demographic trends and their likely impact on American politics

Outline how various forms of socialization shape political opinions

6.1

6.2

6Learning Objectives

Explain how polls are conducted and what can be learned from them about American public opinion

Assess the influence of political ideology on Americans’ political thinking and behavior

6.3

6.4

6Learning Objectives

Classify forms of political participation into two broad types

Analyze how public opinion about the scope of government guides political behavior

6.5

6.6

Video: The Basics

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg2_PoliticalOpinion_v2.html

6

The American People

Immigrant Society

American Melting Pot

Regional Shift

Graying of America

6.1

NASCAR and Census advertising 6.1

In an attempt to get more people to fill out their Census forms, the Census Bureau advertised heavily in 2010. One controversial allocation of money was $1.2 million to sponsor NASCAR driver Greg Biffle.

Critics said this was a ridiculous use of taxpayer money. In response, Census director Robert Groves argued that millions of Americans followed NASCAR races and that an increase in the initial response to the Census of just 0.1 percent could cut the cost of conducting the Census by $8.5 million.

Do you think this was a good idea or a waste of taxpayer money?

Immigrant Society

A nation of nations 1 million legal immigrants/year 500,000 illegal immigrants/year 12% of residents foreign-born

Waves of immigration Northwest Europe (English, Irish, Scottish, Germans,

Scandinavians) Southern and Eastern Europe (Italians, Jews, Poles,

Russians) Hispanics (Cuba, Central America, Mexico) Asians (Vietnam, Korea, Philippines, India)

6.1

Immigrant Society

Restrictions on Immigration Open door policy

Anyone could immigrate from anywhere. Laws limiting undesirable immigrants (1875)

Criminals, prostitutes, lunatics, diseased Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)

First ban on immigration by a specific race or ethnicity Johnson-Reid Immigration Act (1924)

Congress established quotas based on national origin Hart-Celler Immigration and Nationality Act (1965)

Quotas were scrapped Family integration – good or bad idea?

6.1

American Melting Pot

Melting Pot Immigrants from all over the world assimilate into

American culture

Minority majority Estimated by 2050, minority groups combined should

pass 50 percent

Hispanic population fastes growing minority group

6.1

Video Clip: Schoolhouse Rock - Melting Pot

6.1

FIGURE 6.1: The coming minority majority

6.1

American Melting Pot

Reluctant immigrants – African Americans 13% of population 26% still live in povertyPolitical power increasing

Simpson-Mazzoli Act (1986) Forbids employers from knowingly employing

illegal immigrants

6.1

Border fence 6.1

As of 2012, the number of illegal immigrants in the United States was estimated to be at least 11.5 million, 76 percent of whom were from Mexico. Here, a border patrol car patrols along the fence between Arizona and Mexico.

American Melting Pot

Political culture and assimilation There’s always concern

that new groups will not assimilate. This concern has been unfounded in the past, but it remains a persistent fear that leads to negative attitudes toward immigrants.

6.1

Regional Shift

Northeast most populous

West and South growing since WWIISun Belt migration

Arizona, Texas, Florida Political power of these areas increasing

Reapportionment practice of reallocating House seats after

each census Every 10 years

6.1

Graying of America

Over-65 fastest growing age group

People living longer

Fertility rate lower

Implications for Social Security Ratio changing

By 2040, there will be only about two workers per retiree

Politically-sensitive

6.1

6.1 What kind of regional population shift is America experiencing?

a. From Northeast to Southwest

b. From Northwest to Southeast

c. From Southwest to Northeast

d. From Midwest to Northeast

6.1

6.1 What kind of regional population shift is America experiencing?

a. From Northeast to Southwest

b. From Northwest to Southeast

c. From Southwest to Northeast

d. From Midwest to Northeast

6.1

Video: In Context

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_PoliticalParticipation_v2.html

6.1

How Americans Learn About Politics: Political Socialization

Process of Political Socialization

Political Learning over a Lifetime

6.2

Process of Political Socialization

Civics class tip of iceberg The most influential learning is informal, through

attitudes you pick up and absorb.

Family The most influential learning is informal, through

attitudes you pick up and absorb. Central role Time and emotional commitment

6.2

Process of Political Socialization

Mass media The new parents (and teachers) Age gap in following politics

Public School Forming civic virtue Educated to have a positive view of the U.S. political

system, and to value free enterprise and democracy. More educated citizens are, the more likely they are to

vote and to be tolerant of opposing opinions.

6.2

Political Learning over a Lifetime

Increasing participation with age

Party identification strengthens

Political behaviour is learned

6.2

FIGURE 6.2: Turnout increases with age

6.2

6.2 What is the most important agent of political socialization in the U.S.?

a. Government

b. Family

c. School

d. Profession

6.2

6.2 What is the most important agent of political socialization in the U.S.?

a. Government

b. Family

c. School

d. Profession

6.2

Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_PublicOpinion_v2.html

6.2

2008 Uncut: Polling 101” Youtube.com 13 June 2008. Web. 2 Sept. 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2j9SnkIAV4

6.3

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information

How Polls Are Conducted

Role of Polls in American Democracy

What Polls Reveal About Americans’ Political Information

Decline of Trust in Government

6.3

How Polls Are Conducted Sample

Expensive and time-consuming Small sample of the population

Random sample Random digit dialing Cell phones Accurate representation of the whole population Equal chance

Sampling error - certain amount of risk

Internet polling

6.3

“Hardball Discussion On NH Exit Polling” Youtube.com. 9 Jan 2008. Web. 2 Sept. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v

6.3

Roll of Polls in American Democracy

Polling as a tool for democracy: pros and consGauge opinion between elections Following rather than leading Pandering or shaping?Bandwagon effect

Exit polls Affect election results

Question wording

6.3

Exit Polls

In exit polls, voters are asked questions just after they have voted. The media uses these polls to predict winners, as well as to understand the sorts of people who voted for particular candidates.

Video: In the Real World

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_PublicOpinion_v2.html

6.3

What Polls Reveal About Americans’ Political Information Americans are uninformed

Jeffersonian faith in wisdom of common people unfounded

Young people most uninformed

Who is responsible for the ill-informed electorate? Is it the schools’ fault? Is it the media’s fault?

Paradox of mass politicsSingle-Issue votersLike-minded Candidate

6.3

Decline of Trust in Government The great slide

Vietnam War Watergate Economy/hostage crisis of 1970’s Brief uptick in public trust after 9/11

Is public cynicism good or bad for democracy? Politicians

Serving public interest? Keeps them on their toes

Negative effect on programs for poor Lack of support

6.3

FIGURE 6.4: Decline of trust in government, 1958-2012

6.3

This graph shows how people have responded over time to the following question: How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right—just about always, most of the time, or only some of the time?

Why is “never” missing from the choices? How would you respond?

6.3 What is the problem with exit polls?

a. They are usually inaccurate

b. They don’t poll every voter

c. They influence election results

d. None of the above

6.3

6.3 What is the problem with exit polls?

a. They are usually inaccurate

b. They don’t poll every voter

c. They influence election results

d. None of the above

6.3

Explore the Simulation: You Are a Polling Consultant

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_longman_media_1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=11

6.3

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies

Who Are the Liberals and Conservatives?

Do People Think in Ideological Terms?

6.4

TABLE 6.1: How to tell a liberal from a conservative

6.4

Who Are the Liberals and Conservatives? Conservatives dominate

41% conservative/21% liberal Younger people less conservative Minorities less conservative Wealthy more conservative Gender gap

Men more conservative Single omen less conservative

Religious more conservative Regions

Rural area more conservative Metropolitan area less conservative

6.4

Do People Think in Ideological Terms? Types of voters

Ideologues Political ideology - a coherent set of values and beliefs about

public policy Republicans - favor lower taxes or smaller government Democrats - favor stronger regulations or liberal social policies

Group benefits Voters pick a party based on group identification

Nature of the times Party in power in good times Other party when times are tough

No issue content Routinely vote for the same party Candidate whose personality appeals to them.

6.4

Do People Think in Ideological Terms?

Ideology of limited importance Follow-up surveys have found fewer than a

quarter of voters using purely ideological criteria for voting.

Voters are not ideologically consistent a victory by one party or the other is not a mandate

for the ideological agenda of that party.

Seen as threat to family

6.4

Some commentators feel that America is in the midst of a culture war. Others disagree, saying that societal attitudes have warmed toward

gays and lesbians over the past 25 years.

Why do you think there is increasing acceptance of homosexuality in the U.S.?

FIGURE 6.5: Changing attitudes toward gays and lesbians

6.4

6.4 Americans identify most with which political ideology?

a. Moderate

b. Liberal

c. Democrat

d. Conservative

6.4

6.4 Americans identify most with which political ideology?

a. Moderate

b. Liberal

c. Democrat

d. Conservative

6.4

How Americans Participate in Politics

Conventional Participation

Protest as Participation

Class, Inequality, and Participation

6.5

Conventional Participation

Conventional participation Voting Running for office Collecting signatures for a petition

Unconventional participation Protesting Civil disobedience Violence

6.5

Lunch counter sit-in 6.5

Nonviolent civil disobedience was one of the most effective techniques of the civil rights movement in the American South. Young African Americans and white supporters sat at “whites only” lunch counters to protest segregation.

Protest as Participation

Drawing attentionProtests attract the media Rare compared to contacting government

officials

Civil disobedience Breaking unjust laws peacefully

Civil rights activists

Violence■ Racists – Civil Rights■ Vietnam Protestors■ Wall Street Protestors

6.5

Kent State 6.5

In one of the best-known images of American political violence from the Vietnam War era, a Kent State student lies dead, one of four killed when members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed anti–Vietnam War demonstrators.

Class, Inequality, and Participation

Higher socio-economic status = higher participation rates African Americans would participate less than

whites Minorities vote at nearly equal levels

What are the policy implications of lower political participation?

6.5

6.5 What is the most common form of political participation?

a. Voting

b. Writing to elected officials

c. Working on campaigns

d. Protesting

6.5

6.5 What is the most common form of political participation?

a. Voting

b. Writing to elected officials

c. Working on campaigns

d. Protesting

6.5

Explore Public Opinion: How Are People Involved in Politics?

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_edwards_mpslgia_16/pex/pex6.html

6.5

Understanding Public Opinion and Political Action Public Attitudes Toward the Scope of

Government

Democracy, Public Opinion, and Political Action

6.6

Public Attitudes Toward the Scope of Government

Should government do more or less? In peacetime, most Americans say “less”

Many believe it tries to do too many things—some of which should be left up to individuals and businesses.

But public opinion is complex and inconsistent Ideological conservatives Operational liberals Policy gridlock

6.6

Democracy, Public Opinion, and Political Action Representative democracy

Citizens decide who governs Americans takes freedom of the vote for

granted

Is public fit to choose its leaders? Yes and No The public is undoubtedly not making the decisions it would

make if it were better informed The public has a general sense of whether things are going

well or poorly and holds politicians at least minimally accountable by voting them out when things are not going well.

6.6

6.6 Do a majority of Americans favor more or less government?

a. More

b. Less

c. About the same as we have currently

d. It is unclear what the public wants

6.6

6.6 Do a majority of Americans favor more or less government?

a. More

b. Less

c. About the same as we have currently

d. It is unclear what the public wants

6.6

Discussion Question

Why do we say that Americans are ideological conservatives but operational liberals?

What role does political ideology play in public opinion?

Would it be better or worse for the public interest if Americans were more ideologically consistent?

6

Video: So What?

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch06_Public_Opinion_Seg6_v2.html

6

6Political Culture/Media Unit

Advanced

Level

•Specific examples of political values and how these values are represented by the 2 political parties•Analyze the role of media and its impact on politics- specific examples of agenda setting, watchdog and scorekeeper roles.Intermediate Knowledge

Clear understanding of 5 political values in American Political CultureUnderstands at least 3 agents of political socializationComprehends how the media covers the 3 branches of governmentUnderstands why investigative journalism is controversial

Clear understanding of 5 political values in American Political CultureUnderstands at least 3 agents of political socializationComprehends how the media covers the 3 branches of governmentUnderstands why investigative journalism is controversial

Basic Knowledge

Basic understanding of the definition of Political Culture Basic understanding of how Americans are socialized to the values of American political cultureUnderstanding of what role media plays in American politics

Basic understanding of the definition of Political Culture Basic understanding of how Americans are socialized to the values of American political cultureUnderstanding of what role media plays in American politics

6

“2008 Uncut: Polling 101” Youtube.com 13 June 2008. Web. 2 Sept. 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2j9SnkIAV4

Excerpt from “Most Don’t Know What ‘Public Option’ Is,” August 27, 2009, http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/08/poll-most-dont-know-what-public-option.html. Used with permission.

“Great American Melting Pot, The” Youtube.com 27 Aug 2008. Web. 2 Spet 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32l3sTFRFX8

“Hardball Discussion On NH Exit Polling” Youtube.com. 9 Jan 2008. Web. 2 Sept. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v

US Census Bureau, http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/files/nation/summary/np2008-t4.xls.

Works Cited