Transcript Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Political Beliefs and
Behaviors
Public Opinion

The public’s attitudes toward a given government policy
vary over time.

Public opinion places boundaries on allowable types of
public policy.

Citizens are willing to register opinions on matters
outside their expertise.

Governments tend to react to public opinion.
The Origins of Political
Attitudes

Role of the family

Schooling & information

Ideology

Job (Income)

Race & ethnicity

Religious tradition

Gender

Region
Political Ideology

A coherent and consistent set of beliefs about who
ought to rule, what principles rulers ought to obey and
what policies rulers ought to pursue.

Most citizens display little “ideology”, i.e. liberal,
conservative, radical; except for activists.
Political Parties
Voluntary associations of people who seek to control the government
through common principles based upon peaceful and legal action.
Functions of Political Parties

Make policy preferences

Set agendas

Help select candidates for office

Run campaigns

Educate the electorate

Organize the government

One of the access points of special interests and
individuals seeking help from the system.
Party Coalitions

The Republican Party appeals to rural and suburban
dwellers, New Englanders (except Massachusetts), Midwesterners, Westerners, white collar workers, older
voters, WASPs, high income, high educated, the
religious right, anti-abortion, conservatives.

The Democratic Party appeals to urban dwellers, African
Americans, Jews, *Catholics, other minorities, bluecollar workers, union members, lower educated, lower
income, intellectuals, gay rights, women, pro-choice.

Catholics and Southerners used to be Democrats, but
are increasingly Republican.
Structure and Organization of
Political Parties

National Convention

National Committee

National Chairperson

Congressional campaign Committee

State and Local Organization
Elections and Campaigns
Presidential Elections

Exploration

Announcement/Press Conference

Money, Organization, Strategy and Themes

Primary Elections and caucuses: closed, open and
blanket primaries

Nominating Conventions

Campaigning and the General Election

The Electoral College (270 electoral votes needed to
win)
Voting
The Rise of the American
Electorate

1789 – white, male property owners

1850 – nearly all white adult males

1870 – 15th amendment, all men over 21

1920 – 19th amendment, all men and women over 21

1971 – all men and women over 18
Voter Turnout

Americans vote less, but participate more than people
in other countries in other forms of political behavior.

Younger voters are the least likely to vote.

Restrictive laws and the burden of individual
registration contribute to low voter turnout.

Americans may be happy with the “system” and less
likely to feel the need to vote.
The Media
Roles of the Media

Print – magazines,
newspapers

Electronic – cable,
satellite, network
(“free”), radio, internet

Mass Media

Group Media

Social Media

Reporting the news

Interpreting the news

Influencing public
opinion

Setting the political
agenda

Socialization

Providing a link between
citizens and government
Rules Governing the Media

The Federal Communications Commission was
established in 1934

Rules relating to ownership, equal access air time, libel,
slander

First Amendment protects freedom of the press

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 deregulated the
media

“self” censorship
Types of Interest Groups

Economic Interest Groups – business groups, trade
associations, labor groups, agricultural groups,
professional groups

Groups that promote causes – ACLU, National Right to
Life Committee, National Rifle Association, Sierra Club

Groups that promote the welfare of certain groups –
AARP, NAACP, Christian Coalition

Public Interest Groups – League of Women Voters,
Common Cause, MADD
Interest Groups

Interest groups are private organizations that try to
persuade public officials to respond to the shared
attitudes of their members

Interest groups have been viewed with suspicion

James Madison warned against the dangers of “factions”
in Federalist # 10

Interest groups raise awareness in public affairs and
allow members to achieve a common goal

Represent their members

Provide information to government
Techniques of Interest Groups

Influencing public opinion

Propaganda

Lobbying

Influencing elections – campaigning and contributing
money through PACs

Litigation