Chapter 6 Public Opinion Learning Objectives 1 Define public opinion explain its role describe how it shapes political process 2 Examine political knowledge and its distribution and sources 3 Examine issue politics and the people who possess political knowledge 4 Define political socialization and state how political values beliefs are formed 5 Define ideology and explain how it influences public opinion 6 Compare and contrast the main ideas behind modern liberalism and conservatism 7 Outline how ideology has changed over time and examine its roots sources 8 Examine contradictions in the public s opinion on major economic and social issues 9 Contrast abstract symbols with concrete policies 10 Examine how the public maintains its opinions changes them over time and why 1 People s Limited Knowledge of Politics American Opinions vs informed opinion What do Americans really know about political issues 2 Public s Knowledge of Politics and Issues Year Item of Knowledge Percent Who Know 1998 Which party was the majority in the U S Senate 56 1980 Definitions of liberal and conservative 42 1996 What the federal minimum wage was 42 1991 What majority is needed to override a presidential veto 37 2000 Who the Prime Minister of Great Britain was 29 2000 Vladimir Putin was president of Russia 18 1989 What percentage of Americans live below poverty line 18 1991 Canada was America s largest foreign trading partner 8 2000 Who the Chief Justice of the United States was 8 3 Finding out what the Public Thinks How do we know what America thinks What method is used Public Polling Public Opinion is measured by taking a poll of public s attitudes on various issues How does it work 4 Methods for Public Polling 1 Large enough sample 1000 2 Representative of the population all have equal chance of selection A good survey result 3 Properly worded question 5 The Distribution of Political Knowledge Basis of political knowledge Prerequisites to learning about politics 1 Opportunity 2 Capacity 3 Interests In addition to the above prerequisites what are the other important traits closely related to those necessary for gaining political knowledge 6 Basis Traits of Political Knowledge Opportunity to learn Capacity to learn Interest in learning Political Knowledge Demographic characteristics Social characteristics Psychological characteristics 7 Important Related Traits of Political Knowledge Demographic Characteristics Socioeconomic status Education Occupation Income Social Characteristics Membership participation in activities clubs Psychological Characteristics Interest Active participation in politics Political efficacy 8 Most Important Tool in Acquiring Political Knowledge Education Most important factor in political knowledge Why is education so important 9 Literacy Political Knowledge Percentage of population Why is this a major concern What kind of government does the US have Constitutional Democracy Percentage of population who are illiterate or functionally illiterate 10 Sources of Political Knowledge School teach information on the basics American values Democracy Capitalism News media Cover current political issues TV vs Newspapers Growing decline in political knowledge why Entertainment interest vs content depth Who are the people with political knowledge what are they called 11 Attentive or Issue Publics What are Issue Publics People who follow a particular issue closely are well informed about it and have strong opinions on it Attentive or Issue Publics vs general public How do they compare in political influence Major influence on elected officials Favorable Demographic Characteristics High Socioeconomic status 12 Forming Values Opinions What process forms values and opinions So what does this process shape and Opinions What are the major socializing influences 13 Socializing Influences The major socializing influences Family Media School Let s examine in more detail 14 Shaping learning attitudes values Family and Friends Major impact shape basic value judgments Parents Party labels basic political attitudes School Promote patriotism basic democratic values Civics classes promote support for political system University courses offer diverse political views to consider The Media especially television programs Influence impressions of acceptable social behavior The Politically correct society Finally Lifetime Learning Socialization continues Party ID stable w some exceptions Independents 15 Ideology What is Ideology An elaborate set of with overarching abstract that provide coherent Help focus on agreement disagreement about issues What are the two major political ideologies 16 Liberalism versus Conservatism General agreement on Basics Democracy Capitalism Freedom Disagreement at Margins Government plays expansive role Government protects weaker citizens and promotes equality Democracy Capitalism Freedom Government plays a minimal role Government to ensure citizens economic freedom Democracy equality vs Traditional values freedom 17 Liberalism general profile Wealthy should pay more taxes to fund government programs Regulate business protect environment Guarantee minimum levels of social security medical care Prevent discrimination Assist poor nations 18 Conservatism general profile Uphold traditional values Flatten or reduce tax rate for all Limit government regulations on business Limit social welfare Support private health care insurance Favor laws limiting or outlawing abortion Pursue foreign policy with military aid or action 19 Ideologies may change over Time Adjustments in response to changes in society itself Industrialization urbanization Technological development Immigration population growth Economic social trends changes Examples Social impact of Industrial Revolution Society demanded Social reforms Great Depression Public distress FDR s New Deal Reaction Expansion of the Federal Government role Civil Rights movement LBJ s Great Society of 1960s 9 11 2001 Patriot Act trade off freedom vs security What are the sources of Ideology 20 Sources of Ideology their Impact Values and abstract ideas All Connected Examples Real life political situations 21 Abstract Ideals their Impact Some examples Conservative support for CA energy de regulation Reversed position during summer black outs high bills Liberal penchant to cut defense budget unless The cuts affect jobs at a base or factory in their district or state Influence of racial ethnic religious groups Impact of lobbying Congress laws affecting