Student Political Perceptions Survey Research

Professor James DavenportRose State College

Project Description Survey research designed to:

Identify student perceptions about various issues in American politics

Identify the general ideological framework students possess entering into college (or at least entering American Government courses)

Identify how well students understand the ideological labels used in American Politics

Scope of Project Survey of 600 students across three separate institutions This Presentation

308 Completed Surveys Rose State – 128 OCCC – 180

Methodology Survey Instrument

49 Questions Average time to complete is approximately 30 minutes Delivered to students in American Government courses

By Professor Davenport Non-Random Selection

Covers: Ideological Framework questions (freedom, equality, social

justice, role of government, etc.) Voter/Party Registration Asks students to self-identify their ideological preference

(liberal, conservative, libertarian, communitarian) Perceptions about specific issues

Demographics of Participants Age

25 and below – 80.5% 26 and above – 19.5%

Employment Employed Full-time – 32.9% Employed Part-time – 43.2% Unemployed, seeking work – 11.3% Unemployed, not seeking work – 8.6%

Student Status Full-time at 2-year institution – 58.5% Part-time at 2-year institution – 28.4%

Demographics Continued Household Income

Below $65,000 per year – 63.3% Above $65,000 per year – 20.2% Unknown – 16.5%

Sex Female – 48.9% Male – 51.1%

Race White – 55.9% Black/African American – 10.2% Hispanic/Latino – 9.9% Two or More – 9.9% Native American/Alaskan – 5.3% Asian – 5.6% Other – 3%

Demographics Continued Year in College

Freshman – 63.9% Sophomore – 27.2% Junior – 3.9% Senior - .7% Non-Traditional/Transfer – 4.3%

Institution Rose State College – 41.6% OCCC – 58.4%

Demographics Continued Ideological Self-Identification

Liberal – 42.3% Conservative – 40% Libertarian – 11.3% Communitarian – 6.3%

Registered to Vote Yes – 49.5%

Democrat – 29.8% Republican – 39.8% Independent – 28.2%

No – 46.3% Unsure – 4.2%

Ideological Statements “Government should be in complete control of economic and

moral behavior.” 2.6%

“Government should extensively regulate economic and moral behavior.” – 14.8%

“Government should extensively regulate economic behavior, but minimally regulate moral behavior.” – 40.3%

Liberals – 46.8% Conservatives – 31.1% Libertarians – 38.2% Communitarians – 57.9%

Government should extensively regulate moral behavior, but minimally regulate economic behavior.” – 11.5%

Ideological Statements “Government should have few restrictions on economic or moral

behavior.” – 25.9% Liberals – 23% Conservatives – 30.2% Libertarians – 38.2% Communitarians – 5.2%

“Government should not regulate either economic or moral behavior.” – 4.9%

Defining “Freedom” “Freedom is the absence of external restrictions on the

opportunity to achieve my goals.” – 53.4% Liberals – 50.4% Conservatives – 58.3% Libertarians – 58.8% Communitarians – 31.6%

“Freedom means having the necessary elements of success provided to me.” – 29.2%

“Freedom means the absence of certain societal conditions that could interfere with my success.” – 17%

Defining “Equality” “Equality means that everyone has the same opportunity.” -

26.9

“Equality means that everyone has the same rights/freedoms.” – 61.8%

Liberals – 59.2% Conservatives – 73.1% Libertarians – 50% Communitarians – 44.4%

“Equality occurs when everyone has the same outcomes.” – 7.9%

Defining “Social Justice” “Social justice means that individuals enjoy a minimal share of

the benefits of society.” – 3.3% “Social justice means that individuals share a responsibility for

the well-being of others.” – 16.2% “Social justice means each individual’s fundamental rights

are respected and protected.” – 59.4% Liberals – 58.9% Conservatives – 57.6% Libertarians – 67.6% Communitarians – 63.2%

“Social justice means that rules are applied equally without guarantee of a particular outcome.” – 21.1%

Attitudes Towards Marriage “The national government should create uniform marriage

laws for all U.S. citizens.” – 14.1% Conservatives – 21% Communitarians – 26.3%

“States should be able to make their own marriage laws reflecting the values and opinions of their citizens.” – 18.6%

Conservatives – 29.4% Communitarians – 21.1%

Attitudes Towards Marriage “Other than health or safety issues, neither the national

government nor state governments should be involved in marriage.” – 32%

Liberals – 37% Conservatives – 22.7% Libertarians – 50% Communitarians – 21.1%

“Consenting adults should be able to enter into whatever relationships they choose, and marriages should be governed by existing contract laws.” – 35%

Liberals – 44.1% Conservatives – 26.9% Libertarians – 29.4% Communitarians – 31.6%

Attitudes Towards Marriage “I am not morally opposed to same sex marriage and

believe it should be legal.” – 63.8% Liberals – 80.8% Conservatives – 42.5% Libertarians – 63.6% Communitarians – 84.2%

“I am not morally opposed to same sex marriage but believe it should be banned.” – 5.3%

“I am morally opposed to same sex marriage and believe it should be banned.” – 15.8%

Conservatives – 30% “I am morally opposed to same sex marriage but believe it

should be legal.” – 15.1% Conservatives – 23.3% Libertarians – 21%

Attitudes Towards Abortion “I am strongly pro-choice.” – 25.9%

Communitarians – 42.1%

“I am somewhat pro-choice.” – 28.9% Liberals – 33.1% Conservatives – 22.5% Libertarians – 41.2%

“I am somewhat pro-life.” – 13.4%

“I am strongly pro-life.” 31.5% Conservatives – 51.7% Libertarians – 26.5% Communitarians – 26.3%

Attitudes Towards Abortion “I am not morally opposed to abortion and believe it should

be available at any time during a pregnancy for whatever reason a women chooses.” – 15.7%

Liberals – 22.2% Communitarians – 21.1%

“I am not morally opposed to abortion and believe it should be available in the first six months of a pregnancy for whatever reason a woman chooses.” – 17%

Liberals – 23.8% Communitarians – 21.1%

“I am not morally opposed to abortion and believe it should be available anytime during a pregnancy but only for cases of rape, incest, or life/health of the mother.” – 17.4%

Libertarians – 27.3%

Attitudes Towards Abortion “I am morally opposed to abortion and believe it should

only be available prior to the viability of the fetus and only in cases of rape, incest, or the life/health of the mother.” – 23.3%

Conservatives – 35% Communitarians – 31.6%

“I am morally opposed to abortion and believe it should only be available in the first six months of pregnancy and only for cases of rape, incest, or the life/health of the mother.” – 8.9%

“I am morally opposed to abortion and believe it should be illegal at all stages of pregnancy with no exceptions.” – 17.7%

Conservatives – 25.8% Libertarians – 21.2%

Attitudes Towards Poverty “The majority of the poor are in that situation because of

their own decisions.” – 46.5% Liberals – 37.1% Conservatives – 57.7% Libertarians – 53.1% Communitarians – 26.1%

“The majority of the poor are in that situation because they are lazy.” – 8.1%

“The majority of the poor are in that situation because the wealthy hoard their resources.” – 10.1%

“The majority of the poor are in that situation due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control.” – 35.4%

Liberals – 46% Conservatives – 26.7% Libertarians – 28.1% Communitarians – 26.3%

Attitudes Towards Poverty “Public assistance programs are successful at reducing poverty.”

– 16.1% Liberals – 20.6% Communitarians – 26.3%

“Public assistance programs would reduce poverty if they were properly funded.” – 13.8%

Communitarians – 31.6% “Public assistance programs are unsuccessful at reducing

poverty because they encourage dependency on the government.” – 63.5%

Liberals – 59.5% Conservatives – 70.1% Libertarians – 76.5% Communitarians – 36.8%

“Public assistance programs are unsuccessful at reducing poverty because they are wasteful and inefficient.” – 6.6%

Attitudes Towards Poverty “Wealth redistribution is necessary to correct the failure of the

free market to provide a more equal distribution of incomes.” – 24.1%

Communitarians – 68.4% “Wealth redistribution is an inefficient but necessary approach to

reducing poverty.” – 22.8% Liberals – 30.7%

“Because of issues such as inefficiency, unintended consequences, and dependence on government, wealth redistribution does not reduce poverty.” – 41%

Liberals – 35.6% Conservatives – 43.3% Libertarians – 52.9% Communitarians – 21%

“Wealth redistribution slows economic growth and negatively impacts the poor.” – 12.1%

Attitudes Towards Poverty “The best system to reduce poverty is one in which

households must qualify for various benefits based on household size, income, and other factors and in which benefits are restricted for specific uses.” – 57.8%

Liberals – 55.4% Conservatives – 64.1% Libertarians – 55.9% Communitarians – 42.1%

“The best system to reduce poverty is one in which a guaranteed minimum income is provided by the government to all citizens over the age of 21 and established at the poverty line.” – 22.3%

Communitarians – 42.1%

Attitudes Towards Poverty “The best system for reducing poverty is one in which

those whose household incomes fall below a certain amount would receive a cash benefit through the tax code based on household size and income.” – 19.9%

Attitudes Towards Poverty “The minimum wage ensures that people earn a decent

income for their work.” – 50.3% Liberals – 48.8% Conservatives – 53.8% Libertarians – 38.2% Communitarians – 55.6%

“The minimum wage increases to total amount of wealth within society.” – 7.9%

“The minimum wage has no real impact on economic growth or wealth creation.” – 18.8%

Libertarians – 32.4%

Attitudes Towards Poverty

“The minimum wage reduces employment opportunities for the least educated and least experienced employees.” – 18.1%

Liberals – 22% Libertarians – 32.4%

“The minimum wage encourages employers to find ways to replace human labor with technology.” – 4.9%

Attitudes Towards Economics “Economic growth benefits the most people when there are

few restrictions placed on businesses or on the voluntary exchanges between individuals.” – 49.3%

Liberals – 41.6% Conservatives – 58% Libertarians – 58.8% Communitarians – 33%

“Economic growth benefits the most people when government actively regulates businesses and limits the types of exchanges that can occur between individuals – 39.1%

Liberals – 47.2% Conservatives – 32.8% Libertarians – 29.4% Communitarians – 33%

Attitudes Towards Economics “Economic growth benefits the most people when

government determines what should be produced, for whom it should be produced, and sets prices.” – 11.5%

Communitarians – 33%

Attitudes Towards Economics “Capitalism is the most powerful force for widespread

wealth creation and economic growth and should be interfered with as little as possible.” – 18%

Conservatives – 25.8% Libertarians – 20.6% Communitarians – 21%

“Capitalism has been a positive overall force for wealth creation and economic growth but must be regulated to ensure an equitable distribution of its benefits.” – 40.5%

Liberals – 36.2% Conservatives – 47.5% Libertarians – 41.1% Communitarians – 31.6%

Attitudes Towards Economics “Capitalism tends to result in large differences in wealth,

with the majority of people not benefiting from it and needs extensive regulation and correction.” – 29.4%

Liberals – 40.9% Conservatives – 18.3% Libertarians – 29.4% Communitarians – 26.3%

“Capitalism creates widespread poverty, benefits only a very few individuals, and reduces total economic growth.” – 12.1%

Communitarians – 21%

Attitudes Towards Economics

“A household income between $100,000 and $249,999 annually for four people is ‘wealthy’”. – 26.1%

Liberals – 28% Conservatives – 26.1% Libertarians – 26.5%

“A household income between $250,000 and $499,999 annually for four people is ‘wealthy’”. – 29.4%

Liberals – 28.8% Conservatives – 27.7% Libertarians – 35.3% Communitarians – 33.3%

Attitudes Towards Economics “A household income between $500,000 and $749,999

annually for four people is ‘wealth’”. – 20.1% Liberals – 20% Conservatives – 21.8%

Attitudes Towards Economics “Wealthy households should pay between 20% and 25% of

their income in federal income taxes.” – 13.2% Wealthy households should pay between 26% and 30% of

their income in federal income taxes. – 11.9% “Wealthy households should pay between 31% and 35% of

their income in federal income taxes.” – 14.9% “The percentage of income paid in federal income taxes

should be the same regardless of household income.” – 34.7%

Liberals – 21.6% Conservatives – 50% Libertarians – 29.4% Communitarians – 31.6%

Attitudes Towards Economics “I prefer a tax system in which wealthier people pay a

higher percentage of their incomes in taxes than others do.” – 42.6%

Liberals – 54.4% Conservatives – 27.5% Libertarians – 41.1% Communitarians – 63.2%

“I prefer a tax system in which all taxpayers pay the same percentage of their income in taxes.” – 41%

Liberals – 27.2% Conservatives – 55.8% Libertarians – 41.1% Communitarians – 36.8%

“I prefer a tax system in which people pay taxes when they purchase goods and services.” 16.4%

Attitudes on Health Care “Health care would be more affordable, more accessible,

and of higher quality of there were less regulation of health care providers and insurers.” – 31.1%

Liberals – 23.8% Conservatives – 40.3% Libertarians – 35.3% Communitarians – 21%

“Health care would be more affordable, more accessible, and of higher quality if consumers had greater knowledge about the quality, prices, and treatment options provided by health care providers. – 28.2%

Liberals – 25.4% Conservatives – 32.8% Libertarians – 23.5% Communitarians – 21%

Attitudes Towards Health Care “The Affordable Care Act strikes the right balance between

free market principles and government regulation of health care.” – 11.1%

Health care should be provided by the government in order to ensure affordability, accessibility, and high quality.” – 29.5%

Liberals – 38.9% Conservatives – 18.5% Libertarians – 26.5% Communitarians – 42.1%

Attitudes Towards Education “To improve education government should increase

spending on schools.” – 36.8% Liberals – 40.5% Conservatives – 37% Libertarians – 26.5% Communitarians – 36.8%

“To improve education the national government should implement standards that students in all schools must meet in order to graduate.” – 15.1%

“To improve education government should focus on improving student test scores.” – 3.6%

“To improve education government should provide students and parents greater choices in where and how their children will be educated.” – 12.2%

Attitudes Towards Education

“To improve education schools should create individualized learning experiences that allow students to choose from various options.” – 30.9%

Liberals – 32.5% Conservatives – 24.4% Libertarians – 44.1% Communitarians – 36.8%

Attitudes Towards Government Provision “A living wage should be provided by some level of

government.” Yes + All of the Above – 60.7%

Liberals – 71.7% Conservatives – 51.7% Libertarians – 32.3% Communitarians – 89.5%

No – 39.3% “Adequate housing should be provided by some level of

government.” Yes + All of the Above – 54.8%

Liberals – 66.1% Conservatives – 42.5% Libertarians – 35.3% Communitarians – 89.5%

No – 45.2%

Attitudes Towards Government Provision “Health care should be provided by some level of

government.” Yes + All of the Above – 77.2%

Liberals – 91.3% Conservatives – 61.7% Libertarians – 64.7% Communitarians – 100%

No – 22.8% “A post-secondary education should be provided by

some level of government.” Yes + All of the Above – 68.8%

Liberals – 77.2% Conservatives – 59.2% Libertarians – 52.9% Communitarians – 100%

No – 31.2%

Attitudes Towards Government Provision “Adequate transportation should be provided by some level

of government.” Yes + All of the Above – 55.5%

Liberals – 63% Conservatives – 48.3% Libertarians – 38.2% Communitarians – 78.9%

No – 45.5% “The government should not provide any of the listed

benefits.” Agree – 11% Disagree – 89%

Preliminary Conclusions Entry-level college students are not familiar with the

meanings attached to current ideological labels Self-labels do not match ideological statements

Large plurality of each ideological label concentrated in the modern “liberal” ideology statement

Communitarians and conservatives did not select either statement that reflects the current understanding of those labels

Second largest plurality was centered in the “libertarian” ideological statement

Definitions of “Freedom,” “Equality,” and ‘Social Justice” do not reflect the intellectual divisions that have developed between the various ideological perspectives

Majority of ‘liberals” still identify with a definition of freedom that has been somewhat rejected by the thought leaders within that ideological framework

Communitarians equally divided among all three definitions of freedom

Preliminary Conclusions Entry-level college students do not appear to identify

the connections between issues/questions Over 60% said they want “some level of government” to provide a

living wage, but only 22% selected the option for a “guaranteed minimum income.”

Over 77% said they want “some level of government” to provide health care, but less than 30% said that health care should be provided by the government so it will be more “affordable, accessible, and higher quality.”

Over 49% said economic growth benefits the most people when there are few regulations on business or individual exchanges, but only 18% said capitalism “should be interfered with as little as possible.”

Just below 35% said “the percentage of income tax paid should be the same regardless of household income,” but 41% said they would prefer a tax system in which all taxpayers pay the same percentage in taxes.”

Preliminary Conclusions Further investigation is necessary

Project is only 50% complete Responses from UCO may change overall results – comparison

between entry-level students at a 4-year institution and 2-year institutions will be important to note

Follow-up research Identify what drives the ideological self-identification of

students What creates the apparent disconnect between answers to

similar questions Exploring the student understandings of various definitions

and those understandings’ impact on student responses to various policy questions