Monday October 21, 2013• OBJ: SWBAT understand

what Cross Cutting Cleavages are and how they can affect the way a politician may run for office.

• Drill: What does this cartoon represent? How does this relate to demographics and how a politician addresses them?

• HW: Read Wilson 471-476, 486-88 Cornell notes, Study for test Wednesday and Thursday.

Political socialization refers to:

A. Why a person identifies with a political partyB. How an individual’s political views are developedC. The measure of the public’s attitude on national

issuesD. A person’s position on social questions such as

abortionE. The role of government in promoting national

identity

The most significant agent of political socialization is:

A. ReligionB. EducationC. The MediaD. Race and ethnicityE. Family

Among the common set of fundamental political beliefs and opinions that Americans hold is a belief in:

A. Affirmative actionB. Freedom for the individualC. The value of government solutions over

private sector solutionsD. The status quoE. Deregulation of industry

What is a Cleavage?• a social science term that refers to the structure

of two (or more) cleavages, such as race, political, religious divisions etc., in society. Specifically, it is when groups on a first cleavage overlap among groups on a second cleavage. Formally, members of a group j on a given cleavage x belong to groups on a second cleavage y with members of other groups k, l, m, etc. from the first cleavage x. For example, if a society contained two ethnic groups that had equal proportions of rich and poor it would be cross-cutting

Reinforcing Cleavages

• If cleavages overlap with each other, this can heighten the conflict and be more divisive.

• The disagreements produced by one division (e.g. class), will reinforce the divisions produced by another (e.g. race).

• Finding agreement and compromise across groups in this situation can be that much more difficult.

Cross-cutting Cleavages

• If cleavages cut across each other, this can lessen the presence of conflict across groups

• Disagreements produced by one division can produce cross-pressures for individuals and mitigate the divisions they may experience by way of another cleavage

• Cross-pressures help produce "bridges" across the cleavages, making agreement and compromise more likely.

The table above supports which of the following conclusions?I. A plurality of the people has consistently supported the Democrats.II. Support for the two major parties increased slightly between 1952 and 1994.III. The largest percentage increase in political identification between 1952 and 1994 occurred among independents.

A. I only

B. II only

C. III only

D. I and II only

E. I, II, and III

Why Oprah?

Or in the case of Sarah Palin, why not?

Demographic

A group of people sharing a common characteristic(s) such

as age, gender, wealth, region, etc.

Look over the Cross-Cutting Cleavage Cheat Sheet:

?—Any thing you need clarified, does not make sense

!—Anything that surprised you

Similar Different

Choose 4 groups/regions that are similar and 4 that are different.

Bible Belt

Rust Belt

Sun Belt

In small groups move around the room• For each scenario– Decide which group/area would be the correct

answer.– Explain why this is the correct answer using your

cheat sheet to find evidence.

A liberal Democratic President wants to win

reelection. Where should he focus his efforts and where

shouldn’t he and why?

A Republican President is considering supporting law

eliminating a medical procedure called dilation and extraction (also called partial-birth abortion). Where will he

find most of his support and opposition? Why?

A governor of a northeastern state is considering rolling back the amount of money the state pays towards welfare. Where will most of the opposition be

found? Why?

Republican Senators are considering adding a plank to the Republican Party platform

calling for the reduction of federal interference in

environmental issues. Where will they find support and

opposition to this proposal? Why?

The war on terrorism has required the President to

support military intervention overseas and increased law

enforcement at home. Where will the president find

support and opposition to this policy? Why?

Senate Democrats are considering supporting an increase in federal spending on Medicare and Medicaid where

will they find support and opposition? Why?

The president is promoting a policy on faith-based

initiatives to provide federal money to religious

organizations that aid in dealing with social issues.

Where will the president find support and opposition? Why?

Wrap Up• Journal entry:– Pretend you are a politician and you are faced

with some of these issues, how would you try to overcome them to gain the vote of the specific demographic?

– Choose two scenarios and provide solutions based on things we have discussed/read in this class.

– How could these demographics be a disadvantage to you, how could they be an advantage?