Transcript Public Opinion and Political Behaviors

Public Opinion and Political
Behaviors
Unit 2B
Public Opinion
Public Opinion
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The attitudes, perceptions, and viewpoints
individuals hold about government and
politics
Influenced by political culture and political
socialization
Skewed by limited political education and
efficacy
Shaped by government, interest groups, and
mass media
Measurement of Public Opinion
Development of Polls
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Straw Polls
– Asked same question to large number of people
– Unreliable due to no cross-section of general population
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George Gallup’s Ideas
– Sampling
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Represent general population and randomized
– Valid questions
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Clear, fair, unbiased, not misleading
– Control of poll
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Tone of question, basic knowledge of issues
– Analysis
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Provide sampling errors, show time and place of poll
Exit Polls
– Public opinion surveys to determine electoral winners
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Push Polls
– Misleading poll questions to push a certain choice/candidate/issue
Measuring Public Opinion
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Public opinion polls are most reliable measurement of
public opinion
Measured Qualities
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Intensity of beliefs
Real wants and needs
Constant or changing opinions
Consensus or polarized over issues
Reliable?
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Who conducts the poll?
What is the sample size? Large sample size? Small sample size?
Population sample? Randomized sample? Representative sample?
Time of poll? Relevant to current issues?
Methodology? Consistent measures?
Sampling error? Low margin of error? Within -/+ 3%?
Clarity of questions? Unbiased? Unambiguous?
Sample Poll Examples
Do you favor or oppose taxes?
 Do you favor or oppose taxes as a means to
national security?
 Do you favor or oppose Senator Smith, who
voted to raise taxes last session?
 Do you favor or oppose a state income tax of
7%?
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Political Trust
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Government is a
“necessary evil”
Major shifts in
public opinion with
major events
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Pearl Harbor
Vietnam
9/11
Hurricane Katrina
Great Recession
Confidence in Institutions
Political Ideologies
A consistent set of political beliefs
 Develop based on economic, political,
and social issues
 Political ideologies may change over
time
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Political Ideologies
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Radical
– Rapid fundamental changes; extreme methods such as revolution
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Liberal
– Supports political and social reforms; government regulations; minority
support; equality
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Moderate
– More tolerant; shares liberal and conservative beliefs
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Conservative
– Support social and economic status quo; reluctant for change, and only
gradual change; less government; liberty
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Reactionary
– Return to previous or historical system; extreme methods for
accomplishment
On American Issues
ISSUE
LIBERAL
CONSERVATIVE
Scope of Government
Large government to enforce liberties and
equality
Limited government; states’ rights
Taxes
Increase for businesses and upper-class
Tax cuts for businesses and all classes
Government Spending
Increase to stimulate economy
Decrease to avoid debt; austerity policies
Defense Spending and Military
Decrease bureaucracy and spending
Increase for national security
Affirmative Action
Support and expand
Reduce or eliminate; “reverse racism”
Abortion
Pro-choice; include as part of health care
Pro-life; allowed only in cases of rape, incest, health
of mother
Economy
Increased regulation; support Federal
Reserve
Free enterprise and free market economy
Global Warming
Man-made consequence
Natural global cycle
Same-Sex Marriage
Support equality of marriage
Marriage between a man and woman; states decide
Global Affairs
Support the United Nations
American exceptionalism
Energy
Alternative and cleaner resources
Subsidies for natural gas, oil, coal
Social Security
Preserve the safety net
Needs reform; privatization
Health Care
Government-controlled low-cost care; singlepayer option
Free market and private-run health care
Death Penalty
Inhumane
Crime deterrent
Immigration
Easier path to citizenship; multicultural
Secure the borders; English at official language
Prayer in Schools
Violates separation of church and state;
secular government
Official practice; teach intelligent design
Global Market
Fair trade
Free trade
2nd Amendment (Right to bear arms)
Gun control
Gun rights
Equality
Fair chance
Equal opportunity
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