Social Context of American Politics Chapter 3 Learning Objectives:Key Changes in American SocietyWho Are Americans? Key Changes:The American Populace- Summary:Slide 5Population Growth & DensityDomestic MigrationRace and Ethnicity=> Growing diversity:Asian AmericansImmigration (Figure 3-3)LanguageAging US PopulationAge: Political & Economic ImplicationsChanging HouseholdsSocial and Economic Characteristics:Religion- OverviewEducation- Trends & OpportunitiesWealth and Income (Figure 3-5)Poverty in American (Figure 3-6)Poverty: Race & ethnicity correlationsHome Ownership- Haves & Have NotsOccupation- OverviewOccupation: Women in WorkforceUnemployment- Rates & TrendsDiversity and Social HarmonyPolitical Power in the United StatesKey TermsSocial Context of American PoliticsSocial Context of American Politics Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Learning Objectives:Learning Objectives:•(1). Describe changing profile(s) of America's (1). Describe changing profile(s) of America's population: population: –(race, ethnicity, language, age, family make-up).(race, ethnicity, language, age, family make-up).•(2). Analyze social and economic (2). Analyze social and economic characteristics of America's population:characteristics of America's population:–(religion, education, wealth & income, home (religion, education, wealth & income, home ownership, occupation).ownership, occupation).•(3). Discuss America's diversity & social (3). Discuss America's diversity & social harmony, & the role of harmony, & the role of cross-cutting cross-cutting cleavagescleavages. . •(4). Discuss who really wields political power (4). Discuss who really wields political power in America, and the role of in America, and the role of pluralismpluralism. .Key Changes in American Key Changes in American SocietySociety•Average age of America’s population Average age of America’s population •Ratio of men and women.Ratio of men and women.•Differences in household income.Differences in household income.•Advances in conveniences & Advances in conveniences & technologies.technologies.Who Are Americans?Who Are Americans? Key ChangesKey Changes::•A Growing and Changing PopulationA Growing and Changing Population–Average American: 1900 => 2000 (Table 3-1)Average American: 1900 => 2000 (Table 3-1)•Population has grown much olderPopulation has grown much older•About equal number of men and womenAbout equal number of men and women•Large difference in household incomeLarge difference in household income•Dynamic people on the moveDynamic people on the move–Rust BeltRust Belt (NE)(NE) => => Sun BeltSun Belt (S, SW. & W)(S, SW. & W)–Major advances in modern conveniences and Major advances in modern conveniences and technologiestechnologies (Transportation & Communication) (Transportation & Communication)•Modern conveniences now taken for granted Modern conveniences now taken for granted (Katrina)(Katrina)The American Populace- Summary:The American Populace- Summary:CharacteristicCharacteristic1900190020002000Race and EthnicityRace and EthnicityWhiteWhiteWhiteWhiteSexSexMaleMaleFemaleFemaleAge Age 22.922.935.835.8Marital StatusMarital StatusUnmarriedUnmarriedMarriedMarriedEducationEducation8.2 years8.2 yearsSome collegeSome college(but no degree)(but no degree)Household incomeHousehold income$651$651$42,148$42,148Home OwnershipHome OwnershipRenterRenterOwnerOwnerGrowth in the U.S. Population Since 1790In 1790 there were 4.5 people per square mile.In 2000: 79.6 people per sq/ mile.Population Growth & DensityPopulation Growth & Density•Growing US population (Figure 3-1)Growing US population (Figure 3-1)–4 million => 295 million 4 million => 295 million •Population density growthPopulation density growth–4.5 persons/square mile => 79.6+/square mile4.5 persons/square mile => 79.6+/square mileRuralPopulation distribution, 1790UrbanPopulation distribution, 1900-1960sSuburban1960s to presentDomestic MigrationDomestic MigrationRace and Ethnicity=> Growing Race and Ethnicity=> Growing diversity:diversity:• White (European)White (European) => 71% => 71%•African AmericanAfrican American => 12.8% => 12.8%–Unique history & its implications => Unique history & its implications => Civil rightsCivil rights•Hispanic Americans Hispanic Americans => 13+% & growing=> 13+% & growing–Area concentrationsArea concentrations–Political leanings & trends Political leanings & trends •Asian AmericansAsian Americans => almost 4% (Figure 3-2) => almost 4% (Figure 3-2)•American IndiansAmerican Indians =>1% (ties to =>1% (ties to government)government)•Multicultural Multicultural trends & future implicationstrends & future implicationsAsian AmericansAsian Americans• Area concentrations?• Political leanings & trendsImmigration (Figure 3-3)Immigration (Figure 3-3)•Problems of control (legislation)Problems of control (legislation)•Lack of documentation & overstaying Lack of documentation & overstaying visavisaLanguageLanguage•Role of Role of English English language in Americalanguage in America–Achieving national goalsAchieving national goals–Facilitating Facilitating assimilation assimilation into cohesive societyinto cohesive society•Conflicting Objectives: Conflicting Objectives: –National National goals vs. goals vs. Ethnic minorityEthnic minority goals goals–Uniting Uniting a Nation vs. a Nation vs. preservingpreserving ethnic ethnic traditionstraditions–AssimilationAssimilation vs. vs. DiversityDiversityAging US PopulationAging US Population• Political & Economic implications?Age: Political & Economic Age: Political & Economic ImplicationsImplications•Age=> Age=> who gets what when who gets what when –Depends on: Depends on: who votes?who votes? •““GrayingGraying” of the ” of the baby boomersbaby boomers (figure 3-(figure 3-4)4)–political implications => voting bloc interestspolitical implications => voting bloc interests–Economic impact: social securityEconomic impact: social security •Potential political division: Potential political division: young vs. oldyoung vs. old–More demand on diminishing supply More demand on diminishing supply •($$$ zero/sum)($$$ zero/sum)–Future support & viability of Future support & viability of Social SecuritySocial Security–Impact of the rules=> Impact of the rules=> winners vs. loserswinners vs. losersChanging HouseholdsChanging Households•Family Households => recent trends:Family Households => recent