The widely-shared beliefs, values, and norms that citizens share about their government.
Rule of law
Make your own way!
Of Opportunity, not the result.
Progressive Era: Anti-Trust Laws (control corporations), Labor laws/regulations
HealthcareToday?
“I am not a crook” Vietnam
Watergate
Partisanship/Divided govt.
Cost of elections
Scandals
Political Efficacy
One’s own understanding and competence of government.
Has stayed steady through time
Belief one can have an impact on government
Has declined through time
• Abundant and fertile land• Countless opportunities to acquire land/make
living• Lack of feudal society• Independent spirit
Salient
Uses:• Inform the public• Inform candidates• Inform office holders• Exit polls
• Representative Sample
• Random Sampling• Respondent’s
Knowledge• Objective Wording• Accuracy: Straw
Poll
Early projections
Process in which people acquire their political beliefs
• Strongest• Fairly equal influence of mother and father• When differ, associate with closest parent• Impact of growing number of Independents
• Higher income More conservative and supportive of Republicans
• Lower incomes- More liberal and supportive of Democrats
2. Income
(ideology: conservative/liberal)
• Conflicting results• College students today v. past.
• College students more liberal than general population
• Most prestigious- most liberal
Whites: More conservative (more Republican)
Blacks: More liberal (strongest support of Democratic Party) >90%
Hispanics: Cubans v. Mexican Americans
Asians:
• Protestant: More conservative generally• Evangelicals more on social issues and econ• Catholic: Traditionally more liberal
(Economic) than on social issues (Abortion issue)
• Jewish: Most liberal (Strong support for the Democratic Party)
• 1900’sconservative• 1992 Year of the Woman• Clinton and Soccer Moms• Gender Gap: Sex sensitive issues, compare to past• Security Moms• NASCAR Dads
• Coastal Cities: environment• Urban areas: immigrants,
minorities• Solid South
• Rust Belt• Rural areas
(religion?)
Set of beliefs and values that shape a person’s view
• Limited role of govt.
• Govt. seen as chief threat to liberty
• Protect property rights
1. Classic Liberalism
• Expanded role of govt. (New Deal)
• Corporations seen as chief threat to liberty
• Need govt. to “smooth out the rough edges of capitalism”
• Role: protect people’s well being
Less likely to rely upon govt. to solve problemsNot as involved as “New Deal” liberals Edwards
• Reagan/Bush 41/ Bush 43• Strength in formally “Solid South”• Emphasis on private sector to solve
problems, not government• Strong support for tax cuts• More social control
• Prayer in school
• Anti-Gay Marriage
• Anti-Abortion
• Emphasis on “free market”• Free enterprise
In all casesFew regulations
Comparison with other countries
U.S. Europe
Why?
• Property restrictions (Andrew Jackson)
• Race: 15th Amendment• Women: 19th Amendment• Income: 24th Amendment• Literacy: Voting Rights Act of 1965• Minimum age of 21: 26th
Amendment
Impact of expansion
Less voting power per person
• Registration (motor voter Bill)• Long Ballot: Excessive number of
issues to vote on• Type of election: General, Primary,
midterm, state• Difficulty in obtaining absentee ballots• Too many elections: Ballot fatigue• Weekday, non-holiday voting
(Voting is a linkage institution)
• Lack of political efficacy• Dissatisfaction with candidates, parties, etc.• Weakness of parties’ ability to mobilize voters
Don’t like either, so why vote?
• Education: Level is highest predictor• Income: High vs. Low• Age: 18-24 lowest 45 and up highest• Race: White vs. minorities• Cross-cutting cleavages • Religious Involvement
Characteristics Of those likely to
Vote wealthEducation
RaceAge
In your opinion, what is the single most influential reason for not voting?
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