Social Context of American Politics Chapter 3 Learning Objectives 1 Describe changing profile s of America s population race ethnicity language age family make up 2 Analyze social and economic characteristics of America s population religion education wealth income home ownership occupation 3 Discuss America s diversity social harmony the role of cross cutting cleavages 4 Discuss who really wields political power in America and the role of pluralism Key Changes in American Society Average age of America s population Ratio of men and women Differences in household income Advances in conveniences technologies Who Are Americans Key Changes A Growing and Changing Population Average American 1900 2000 Table 3 1 Population has grown much older About equal number of men and women Large difference in household income Dynamic people on the move Rust Belt NE Sun Belt S SW W Major advances in modern conveniences and technologies Transportation Communication Modern conveniences now taken for granted Katrina The American Populace Summary Characteristic 1900 2000 Race and Ethnicity White White Sex Male Female Age 22 9 35 8 Marital Status Unmarried Married Education 8 2 years Some college but no degree Household income 651 42 148 Home Ownership Renter Owner Growth in the U S Population Since 1790 Population Growth Density Growing US population Figure 3 1 4 million 295 million Population density growth 4 5 persons square mile 79 6 square mile In 1790 there were 4 5 people per square mile In 2000 79 6 people per sq mile Domestic Migration Rural Population distribution 1790 Urban Population distribution 1900 1960s Suburban 1960s to present Race and Ethnicity Growing diversity White European 71 African American 12 8 Unique history its implications Civil rights Hispanic Americans 13 growing Area concentrations Political leanings trends Asian Americans almost 4 Figure 3 2 American Indians 1 ties to government Multicultural trends future implications Asian Americans Area concentrations Political leanings trends Immigration Figure 3 3 Problems of control legislation Lack of documentation overstaying visa Language Role of English language in America Achieving national goals Facilitating assimilation into cohesive society Conflicting Objectives National goals vs Ethnic minority goals Uniting a Nation vs preserving ethnic traditions Assimilation vs Diversity Aging US Population Political Economic implications Age Political Economic Implications Age who gets what when Depends on who votes Graying of the baby boomers figure 34 political implications voting bloc interests Economic impact social security Potential political division young vs old More demand on diminishing supply zero sum Future support viability of Social Security Impact of the rules winners vs losers Changing Households Family Households recent trends Changing make up single women w kids Social political implications of above Sexual Orientation growing controversy Political power and the numbers game 3 vs 10 political implications Gay marriage the Constitution Social and Economic Characteristics Religion Linked Characteristics Education Wealth Income Home ownership Occupation Socio economic status Religion Overview 66 of Americans formal denominations 40 regularly attend Church Formal denomination breakdown Christians 95 Jewish 2 Muslims 1 Other 2 Political implications power of belief Extent of influence on political behavior mixed Freedom of religion Core American value Education Trends Opportunities Trends toward higher education Steady advance over generations Educational opportunities correlation with race ethnicity correlation with higher paying jobs Increased opportunities for women Title 9 Wealth and Income Figure 3 5 Class politics and the role of the middle class Poverty in American Figure 36 Poverty Race ethnicity correlations s Another growing concern the Feminization of poverty Why Home Ownership Haves Have Nots Historical trends of the American Dream 69 Tax break encouragement Mortgage interests Race ethnicity correlations for home ownership 76 whites vs 48 African Americans vs 49 Hispanic Older 82 vs younger 43 Americans Homelessness its costs 3 5 million total homeless with 1 35M of them Children Single men 41 Families w children 40 Single women 14 unaccompanied children 5 The mentally ill 23 drug dependent 30 Political Consequences tax policy benefits Political outlook of the Homeless Any political impact Survival is first priority Occupation Overview Major changes over past century 1880 Farming 44 1997 2 2000 1 of Farms 4m in 1880 2 1m in 2002 Key sector shifts Farming manufacturing Service jobs Fortune 500 corporations now less than 10 Growth of small businesses the political implications Impact on private vs public oriented labor unions Decline of public sector Unions Text Figure 3 8 From 32 1955 to 17 1983 in under 10 2004 Political impact on Democratic Party s power why Occupation Women in Workforce Growth of women in workforce Has doubled since 1950 Unemployment Rates Trends Unemployment rates for both men women fluctuated between 3 10 since 1975 Unemployment major disturbing trend High rate for many young African American males Major social economic impact Urban crime street gangs prison population Diversity and Social Harmony The role of Cross cutting cleavages Definition Divisions that split society into small groups so that people have different allies and opponents in different policy areas and no group forms a majority on all issues Political implications Lines dividing rich poor somewhat blurred Cut across social ethnic and racial groups Impact on political power Two theories Political Power in the United States Two competing views and theories evident Power elite Atlanta study of 1950s Single political elite wields most power who Relevance today Pluralism New Haven study of 1960 Political power is spread widely Different groups exercise power on different issues but power is not equally shared competing elites Compare Contrast to cross cutting cleavages Key Terms Baby Boomers The generation of Americans born between 1946 and 1964 Cross cutting cleavages Divisions that split society into small groups so that people have different allies and opponents in different policy areas and no group forms a majority on all issues Feminization of poverty The trend in the United States in which families headed by women account for a growing share of the people who live below the poverty line Pluralism The theory that