Socialization, Public Opinion & Political Action

Transcription

1 Socialization, Public Opinion & Political Action

2 The American Population! Demographics: The science of population changes! We follow changes in the demographics of the United States through the United States Census which is mandated by the Constitution to be taken every 10 years and through public opinion polls and statistical research.

3 Demographic trends of American Society! First Wave of Immigration from England, Ireland, Germany & Scandinavian countries! Second wave (c1880 to 1920) Ellis Island immigrants consisting of Italians, Jews, Poles, Russians, and other southern and eastern Europeans.! Recent immigrants are predominantly from Mexico, Cuba, other Central American nations; Vietnam, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines.! 1980 s the second largest decade for immigration in American history

4 America Today! Coming of the majority minority. This is defined as the emergence of a non-caucasian majority. By 2060 it is estimated that a majority of the population of the United States will be African-American, Asian- American & Hispanic-Americans.! Fasted growing group of citizens in United States is 65+ years of age.! Population is moving west and south! Results in changing and shifting of political power

5 Representation 1960

6 Representation today

7 Chart of US Presidents 1789 to 1960! 6 Virginia! 6 New York! 6 Ohio! 4 Massachusetts Since 1964! 3 Texas! 2 California! 1 Georgia! 1 Arkansas! 1 Michigan (President Ford never elected)

8 Process of Political Socialization! Political socialization defined as the process through which an individual acquires his/her political orientations-his/her knowledge, feelings. And evaluations regarding his/her political world. Richard Dawson! Informal learning is much more important that formal. We learn by the world around us.! The older we get the more clear our orientation becomes that is why most indoctrination efforts are aimed at the young!

9 The Role of the Family! The most important factor in political socialization is the family! The family has ownership of your time (especially first years of life)! The family makes an emotional commitment to you! The family earns your loyalty and exerts influence on you

10 Mass Media in America

11 Children spend more time with mass media than with their parents or in school Media is now called the new parent Media shapes attitudes (what's acceptable, morality, importance of issues) Young people least informed generation of Americans Average viewing age of NBC,ABC, CBS nightly news cast is 60

12 Schools! Schools serve as a continual place of political socialization! Each day begins with the Pledge of Allegiance! Text books & classrooms highlight various patriotic themes! Schools are mostly regulated by government, teachers are licensed by government, and curriculum is developed by government agencies and controlled by publicly elected school boards.! Schools attempt to mold good citizens

13 Measuring Public Opinion Basic Definitions! Sample: A relatively small proportion of people who are chosen in a survey to be representative of the whole! Random Sampling: Technique in which every member of the target group has an equal chance of being selected! Sampling error: The level of confidence in the poll. This is expressed by + or - %. The more people polled the less the margin of error (MOE)! Random Digit dialing: Method in which phone numbers (listed & unlisted) are selected for a sample

14 Measuring Public Opinion! Poll reliability depends on the margin of error! Polls never measure how strongly a person feels about something! Polls have become an important part of politics due to the increased number of available polls! A poll with no scientific methodology is a straw poll! A poll of people leaving a polling location is an exit poll! A tracking poll is a poll taken every day to measure average opinion over time

15 Let s look at a real poll

16 Polls Both Good and Bad Good Points! Helps bring true democracy! Governmental officials can correct bad policies! Allows public to be heard other than on election day Bad Points! Creates bandwagon effect! Anti democratic because it enables politicians to craft messages rather than alter policy! Exit polls allow networks to declare winners before polls are completely closed! Wording can create desired response

17 What do polls tell us about ourselves?! We have less knowledge about politics and government than is desirable in a democratic system! We don t have faith (trust) in government! This translates into less programs for the poor and vulnerable. Before Vietnam, Watergate etc. people supported programs created by government. Today they mistrust anything created by government.! Why?! Vietnam, Watergate, Assassinations, Iran Hostage, Iran- Contra, impeachment all create negative attitude! Politicians run against government

18 The Gallup Poll! Today, can be found at gallup.com! The company was founded by George Gallup, an American statistician! George Gallup is considered the father of modernday public opinion polling! Said that polls speed up the process of democracy.

19 Political ideologies! Political ideology- A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political events, personalities, and policies! Conservative, Liberal, or Moderate?! Conservatives believes that government should Not be involved in economics but should be involved with issues of personal morality! Liberals believe that government should be involved with economic policy but Not personal morality! Americans tend to be slightly more conservative

20 Conservative or Liberal? Spend more money on military More likely to intervene with military Pro-life on abortion Oppose affirmative action Free market economy Likely to support death penalty Wants to cut taxes Less money for the military Less willing to commit troops to foreign action (like Iraq) Pro-choice on abortion Support affirmative action Government regulates economy in the public interest Likely to oppose death penalty Wants to raise taxes on the rich

21 Gender Gap! Gender Gap- A term demonstrating a regular pattern in which women are more likely to support Democrats than men. Women are more likely to support social issues.! Soccer Mom A term used to describe the average woman who drives her kids to soccer practice in a mini van or suv

22 Other Demographic Notes! African-Americans more likely to vote Democratic! Protestants more likely to vote Republican! Jewish voters more likely to vote Democratic (Most liberal demographic in USA)! Christian Right Protestant and Catholic born again Christians tend to be heavily Republican! People who practice no affiliated religion tend to vote more Democratic