Transcript Linking Public Officials to the Public: Public Opinion & Voting

Chapter 4: Linking Public
Officials to the Public: Public
Opinion & Voting
Opinion
Attitude
Public Opinion
Political Socialization
• Political culture: certain values and
traditions transmitted though socialization
or politicization.
–Formal
–Informal
–Passive virtues v. Active virtues
Politically Relevant Learning
•
•
•
•
•
•
Family
Schools
Peer groups
Mass media
Significant emotional events
Demographic factors
Cross Pressure
• Cross-pressure hypothesis holds that the
behavior of individuals under consistent
pressure is different from that of those
under cross pressure.
– Individuals subject to consistent pressure are
more likely to vote a straight ticket/high
interest/consistent attitude
– Individuals subject to cross pressures are
move likely to vote split tickets/low
interest/conflicting attitudes.
Intensity of Preference
• Trustee Representative: acts on the basis
of calm deliberation and enlightened self
interest
• Faction: Stronger reaction/risk
Voting & Voters: How wellinformed?
• Educated
• Interest in politics
• Consistency
• Data is conflicting
Anticipated Reactions
• Carl Friedrich coined phrase to describe
how even uninformed voters exercise
some control over elected officials.
– Attention to public officials
– Polls/Opinion leaders
– Examination of potential voters, opposing
candidate’s record
– Media
How Active are American Voters?
Turnout levels
Off-year congressional elections
1. Presidential = high stimulus
2. Other elections = low stimulus
Coat tail effect
American Voters
• Right to vote --- states’ roles
• Colonial times – white male property
owners
• Disenfranchised
• Literacy tests ended with The Voting
Rights Act of 1965
American Voters
• 1920– 19th Amendment: Women can vote
• 1971– 26th Amendment: 18 year olds can
vote
State laws and regulations still exist
(example: felons and voting rights)
Demographics
•
•
•
•
•
•
Socioeconomic status (SES)
Gender
Race
Religion
Ethnicity
Age
Who Votes?
• See Table 4.4
• Whites are more likely to register and vote
than blacks are.
• Blacks are more likely to register and vote
than Hispanics are.
• Differences in registration and turnout
between men and women is slight.
• 18-20 years olds are least likely to show
up at the polls– Numbers highest after 35.
Why Do Americans Choose not to
vote?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Weather
Peers
Candidate choice
Apathy
Frustration
Alienation
Not registered
Too busy
Cost-benefit analysis
Why Should Americans Vote?
• A right
• Obligation
• Promote your ideals
• Offset ideals you dislike
• Express views
• “Vote or Shut Up”
*****Local elections can be very close*****
1993 Motor-Voter Law
• Citizens can register when they get
driver’s license
• Registration forms available at military
recruitment offices
• Permits registration by mail
• Allows citizens to register at welfare and
disability offices
Chapter 5: Collective Links to
Public Officials
Political Parties: U.S. has week 2-party
system
• Democrats
• Republicans
Liberals v. Conservatives
Liberals
1. Favor Change
2. Advocate Equality
3. Social services
Liberals v. Conservatives
Conservatives
1.
2.
3.
4.
Promote traditional values
Advocate freedom from regulation
Limited Social role
Smaller government
Independents
• Dealignment?
• Message?
• 1/3 vote for Democrats, 1/3 vote for
Republicans, rest unpredictable
• Tend to skew younger
Voting
• Split-ticket voting
• Cross-cutting political issues
• Traditional political issues
Party Organization/Function
1.
2.
3.
4.
Recruit Candidates
Train & Assist candidates
Raise $ (soft v. direct)
Attract voters—phone banks,
mailings, grassroots campaigns
Party Organization/Function
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Streamline process
Link party to people to government
Take positions on issues (label=cue)
Conflict resolution
Interest representation
Party Structure
• National Party Conventions
Every 4 years
Approve positions/platforms
Make rules
National Committees
• Day-to-day operations
• Win presidency
• National Party chair (often appt’d by
Presidential nominee)
• Senatorial Campaign Committee
• Congressional Campaign Committee
State & Local Political Party
Organizations
•
•
•
•
State Chair
State Laws regulate
County Committee
Precinct Committee
Why US has 2-party system?
•
•
•
•
Flexibility of current parties with times
Winner v. proportional representation
Campaign finance law
Access to ballots
Interest Groups
1.
2.
3.
4.
Economic
Ideological
Public
Government
Effectiveness of Interest Groups
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Positions
Competition
Interest in subject matter
Size
Geography
$$$
Prestige
Motivation levels
Duration of existence
Objectives
11.ORGANIZATION
How do interest groups participate?
•
•
•
•
•
Campaign $$$
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Public Relations
Influence on Appts.
Lobbying