{

Call to

Order

Please answer the following in your notebooks

Why do politicians listen to some

people more than others?

Psssst! *mumble mumble mumble*

Hmmm… interesting.

Gov’t Requirement 3.1.1:The students will evaluate demographic factors related to political participation, public policy, and government policies.

Today’s ObjectiveStudents will be able to evaluate demographic and population factors on public policy decisions by

Examining the demographics of the USA and Baltimore

Examining how demographics reflect political participation

Analyzing the effect of demographics on policy issues

The number of people who live in a particular place.

Population

United States Population 308,745,538

Maryland

5,773,552

Baltimore City

620,961

1900

1910

1920

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

Population of Baltimore

What things did government need to provide more of between 1900 and 1950?

What things did government need to provide less of between 1950 and 2000?

As populations change, so do the governments of

those people.

Recall:

Reapportionm

ent

What states lost population?

What states gained

population?

Demographics

Statistical information about specific populations.

98% of Americans

have at least one TV set.

Our society has

changed over time..

What is the effect

of this type of

change on Americans

as a whole?

Demographics

Statistical information about specific populations.

80% of children age 12-17 have

a Facebook profile VS

.

This Chicago newspaper ran an incorrect headline after they conducted telephone polling to try and “forecast” the winner of the 1948 Presidential Election

• Back in 1948, only wealthier households had telephones.

• So the newspaper tried to predict who the winner was to get the story first, but was totally wrong!

Black63%

White31%

Hispanic3%

Asian2% Other

1%

Racial Demographics of Baltimore (2009)

What do the racial

demographics of

Baltimore say about it as a city?

Break it down and compare it to the rest of the US…

U.S

.A.

U.S

.A .

U.S

.A .Bal

tim

or e

Bal

tim

ore

How is the racial

composition of Baltimore

different from that of the

U.S.?

Look at this breakdown of Baltimore’s household income. What issues will

politicians have to focus on if they want to get elected in Baltimore City?

Education Levels in Baltimore

How does Baltimore’s education level influence

its government?

Examine the Demographics from the 2008 Presidential

Election  Which

group shown is

most likely to vote?

Why would this group be most likely

to vote?

What policy issues would

politicians focus on to appeal to

the most voters?

Why would politicians focus on this issue?

Graph 1:

Voter Turnout by Race

/ Ethnici

ty

White Black Asian Hispani

c

 

Affirmative Action

Civil Rights Internet

Censorship Unemployme

nt

 

Take a look at some of the other graphs and figure out what politicians are going to do in order to appeal to

the groups that are most likely to vote.

  Which group

shown is most

likely to vote?

Why would this group be most likely to

vote?

What policy issues would politicians focus on to

appeal to the most voters?

Why would politicians focus on

this issue?

Graph 2:Voter

Turnout by Education

Less than HS HS Grad / GED Some College Bachelor’s

Degree Advanced

Degree

Animal Rights Cost of College

Tuition Drop-Out Rates High Crime Rates

 

 

Which group shown is most likely to vote?

Why would this group be most likely to

vote?

What policy issues would politicians focus on to

appeal to the most voters?

Why would politicians focus on

this issue?

Graph 3:Voter

Turnout by Income

Less than $20,000$20,000 to $29,999$30,000 to $39,999$40,000 to $49,999$50,000 to $74,999$75,000 to $99,999$100,000 and Over

Climate Change Death Penalty Nuclear Power Tax Reform

 

 

Which group shown is most likely to vote?

Why would this group be most likely to

vote?

What policy issues would politicians focus on to

appeal to the most voters?

Why would politicians focus on

this issue?

Graph 4:Voter

Turnout by Age

18 to 24 Years 25 to 34 Years 35 to 44 Years 45 to 54 Years 55 to 64 Years 65 to 74 Years 75 and Over

Abortion RightsEnvironmental

PolicyHealth CareSocial Security

 

Social Security is a gov’t program started in 1935 that gives checks to elderly citizens who no longer work (retired)

Demographics can also help us to predict the future!

WHERE’S MY GOV’T MONEY?!

?

Baby Boom!But how could that be a problem?

World War II happens and

about 15 million

American men are

involved in the war effort

But when the men get

back home, the good times roll!

The birth rate in the United States

skyrockets as soldiers return

from the war and to their families. Americans now

feel like the world is a safer place to raise a

family and respond by having kids.

But how could that be a problem?

Eventually, those Baby Boomers are going to be ready to retire…

Social Security Costs will double

Too Many Elderly collecting benefits without enough taxes coming in from young workers.

Population of American over 65 Years old

One last thing…In the space provided on the back of your sheet,

create a drawing of the MOST LIKELY

voter looks like.