Political IdeologyPolitical Ideology

Chapter 7, Theme BChapter 7, Theme B

Pop Quiz 7Pop Quiz 7

►Check even item numbers on “How do Check even item numbers on “How do we vote?” Sheet.we vote?” Sheet.

Origins of Political Origins of Political SocializationSocialization

►Schooling/Education- Schooling/Education- The more educated, the more The more educated, the more

politically involvedpolitically involved College has a liberalizing effect for College has a liberalizing effect for

lifelife Why? (Personal traits, Information, Why? (Personal traits, Information,

Profs.)Profs.) Effect growing as numbers increaseEffect growing as numbers increase Are students more conservative Are students more conservative

today? today?

Origins of Political Origins of Political SocializationSocialization

►Media- Media- Bernard Cohen said that the Bernard Cohen said that the

media is “stunningly successful media is “stunningly successful in telling their audience what in telling their audience what to think about.”to think about.”

Do you agree? Or not?Do you agree? Or not? Recent Examples?Recent Examples?http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7387762n

►Do sheet to discuss which Do sheet to discuss which factors shape which issue.factors shape which issue.

Cleavages in SocializationCleavages in Socialization►Social ClassSocial Class

Less important in the US than EuropeLess important in the US than Europe Class voting has sharply declined Class voting has sharply declined

since 1940s in Western Worldsince 1940s in Western World Why?Why?

►Liberalizing effect of higher educationLiberalizing effect of higher education►Non-economic issues define liberal & Non-economic issues define liberal &

conservativeconservative►Moral, symbolic, & foreign policy issues Moral, symbolic, & foreign policy issues

do not divide social classes the same way.do not divide social classes the same way.

Cleavages in SocializationCleavages in Socialization►Race & EthnicityRace & Ethnicity

Complex differences between Complex differences between white & black Americans; some white & black Americans; some narrowing, some wideningnarrowing, some widening

Generational differences among Generational differences among African Americans surfacing. Ex?African Americans surfacing. Ex?

Disparity between black leaders Disparity between black leaders and black citizensand black citizens

Asians and Latinos are diverse Asians and Latinos are diverse within their ethnic groups as well. within their ethnic groups as well. Exs.?Exs.?

Cleavages in Cleavages in SocializationSocialization

►Region Region White southerners more conservative White southerners more conservative

on social issues such as aid to on social issues such as aid to minorities, legalizing marijuana, minorities, legalizing marijuana, busing and rights of the accused.busing and rights of the accused.

Similar to others on economic issues.Similar to others on economic issues. Political views today are less Political views today are less

regionally distinct.regionally distinct. Southerners are less attached to the Southerners are less attached to the

Democratic Party today.Democratic Party today.

Defining The TermDefining The Term►What is What is Political Political IdeologyIdeology??

►Coherent & consistent set Coherent & consistent set of political beliefs about of political beliefs about who ought to rule, the who ought to rule, the principles the rulers ought principles the rulers ought to obey, and what policies to obey, and what policies the rules ought to pursue.the rules ought to pursue.

Consistent AttitudesConsistent Attitudes►In what terms do political scientists In what terms do political scientists

measure a person’s ideology?measure a person’s ideology? Frequency of describing choicesFrequency of describing choices Consistency of preferences over timeConsistency of preferences over time

►People can have strong dispositions People can have strong dispositions even without these criteria.even without these criteria.

►Plurality crosses traditional borders…Plurality crosses traditional borders…considers themselves “moderate.”considers themselves “moderate.”

Liberal vs. Liberal vs. ConservativeConservative

►Early 1800s:Early 1800s: Liberals favored Liberals favored personal & economic freedom from personal & economic freedom from the gov’t. Conservatives favored the gov’t. Conservatives favored restoration of power to traditional restoration of power to traditional sources.sources.

►New Deal Metamorphosis:New Deal Metamorphosis: Liberals Liberals favored an activist gov’t. favored an activist gov’t. Conservatives favored reaction & Conservatives favored reaction & prevention to this activism with prevention to this activism with states’ rights individual economic states’ rights individual economic choice.choice.

Liberal vs. Liberal vs. ConservativeConservative

►Today’s meanings are Today’s meanings are imprecise and changing.imprecise and changing.

►Three useful categories in Three useful categories in gauging political ideologies:gauging political ideologies: Economic Policy: Exs. Of each?Economic Policy: Exs. Of each? Civil Rights: Exs. Of each?Civil Rights: Exs. Of each? Public & Political Conduct: Public & Political Conduct: Exs.?Exs.?

Consistent Consistent CategoriesCategories

►Ideology Charts►Discuss trends and Discuss trends and

demographics to frame demographics to frame “How do I Vote?” Sheet.“How do I Vote?” Sheet.

PopulationPopulation Breakdown Breakdown

Activity & DiscussionActivity & Discussion►Take the first quiz on the blog.Take the first quiz on the blog.►Group yourselves based upon Group yourselves based upon

your ideology.your ideology.►As the statement is read, stand As the statement is read, stand

if you agree; sit if you disagree.if you agree; sit if you disagree.►You may switch corners if you You may switch corners if you

feel you are misplaced!feel you are misplaced!

Political ElitesPolitical Elites►Definition?Definition?

Those with a disproportional Those with a disproportional amount of a valued resourceamount of a valued resource

►Other Characteristics?Other Characteristics? Display greater ideological Display greater ideological consistencyconsistency

Have access to more info. & Have access to more info. & have more interest in politicshave more interest in politics

Peers reinforce this Peers reinforce this consistencyconsistency

““New Class” of Political New Class” of Political ElitesElites

►Those advantaged by the Those advantaged by the power, resources, and power, resources, and growth of governmentgrowth of government

►How is this different? How is this different? ►Examples of elites outside of Examples of elites outside of

government? Ideology? government? Ideology? Source of power?Source of power? Directly benefit from the gov’t.Directly benefit from the gov’t. High levels of schoolingHigh levels of schooling

Influencing Public Influencing Public PolicyPolicy►Elites influence public policy 2 Elites influence public policy 2

ways:ways: Raise and Frame political issuesRaise and Frame political issues State State normsnorms to settle issues & to settle issues & define policy optionsdefine policy options

►Limits of influenceLimits of influence Don’t define econ., crime & other Don’t define econ., crime & other problems of pers. Experienceproblems of pers. Experience

Elites contradict & limit ea. otherElites contradict & limit ea. other

V.O. Key’s V.O. Key’s Responsible Responsible ElectorateElectorate

►Read the VO Key essay. After each Read the VO Key essay. After each paragraph, summarize the main idea.paragraph, summarize the main idea.

►Create an acrostic poem using key Create an acrostic poem using key vocabulary or main ideas. Due vocabulary or main ideas. Due WEDNESDAY!WEDNESDAY!

►Read pp. 182-187. Take notes on voter Read pp. 182-187. Take notes on voter demographics, vocabulary, and voter demographics, vocabulary, and voter turnout.turnout.