{
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.