Political CultureA set of basic values and beliefs about a country

or government that is shared by most citizens and that influences political opinions and behaviors

Political culture Political socialization Opinion leaders Public opinion Straw polls Sampling/ sampling errors Ideology Political ideology

◦ radical/liberal/moderate/conservative/reactionary

Key Terms

Chapter 6: Public Opinion-due Monday Chapter 7: Mass Media-due Monday Chapter 10: Interest Groups –discuss

Monday and Tuesday—notes check after break

Friday Discussion◦ Page 205 chapter 6

Immigrants as a Percentage of State Populations Prepare thoughtful answers to the Questions for

discussion

Reading and Discussion Assignments

Majority rule/minority rights◦ Although democracy is based upon majority,

minority rights must be guaranteed Equality

◦ Equality of every individual before the law and in the political process

Private property◦ Ownership of property is protected by law and

supported by the capitalist system Individual freedoms

◦ Guarantees of civil liberties and protections of infringements upon them

American Democratic Values

Process where citizens acquire a sense of political identity

Allows citizens to become aware of politics, learn political facts, form political values and opinions

Combination of Influences◦ Family and home◦ Schools teach patriotism◦ Group affiliations◦ Demographics◦ Mass media◦ Opinion Leaders

Public Socialization

A collection of shared attitudes of many different people in matters relating to politics, public issues, or the making of public policy

Consensus◦ General agreement on an issue

Diverse opinion◦ When public opinion is strongly divided between very different

views Can be analyzed

◦ Distribution Physical shape of responses when graphed

◦ Intensity How strongly the opinions are held

◦ Stability How much the opinion changes over time

Public Opinion

Straw Polls◦ an unofficial vote taken to obtain an indication of the general trend of opinion on

a particular issue.◦ Iowa Republican Caucus

Ames straw poll Iowa GOP should drop straw poll

Gallup Polls (1930’s)◦ George Gallup started polling reader interest in news print◦ Asked by mother-in –law to predict how she would do in Iowa race after her

husband ( a party man) died She won as Iowa’s first Secretary of State

◦ 1935 established the American Institute of Public Opinion◦ "If the 1936 election performance of scientific polls [correctly picking the

Roosevelt victory against conventional wisdom] gave the fledgling industry considerable credibility with the U.S. public, their performance in the 1948 election threatened to undo everything... As long as public opinion is important in this country, and until someone finds a better way of appraising it -- I intend to go right ahead with the task of reporting the opinions of the people on issues vital to their welfare.“

George Gallup on polling

Measuring Public Opinion

◦ Sampling Chosen participants must be representative of the general population and

chosen at random◦ Valid questions

Clear, fair and unbiased◦ Controlling how poll is taken

Respondent has to have some knowledge of the issues addressed in the poll Pollster’s appearance and tone don’t influence respondents Survey methods may include telephone, mail and in-person interviews

◦ Analyzing and reporting results Sampling errors

Reporting results of polls without providing information about how the poll was conducted

“ “ about when the poll was conducted

Both can lead to misinformation and error

gallup and evolution 2007 job approval rating and midterm elections

The scientific Gallup Poll

Political Ideology◦ A set of beliefs about politics and public policy that creates the structure for looking at

government and public policy/can change over time Political Spectrum

◦ Radical Favors rapid, fundamental change in existing social, economic or political order/may be

willing to resort to violence/revolution Extreme change to create an entirely new social system

◦ Liberal Supports active government in promoting individual welfare and supporting civil

rights/accepts peaceful promotion of change within existing political system◦ Moderate

Usually thought of as tolerant of others’ political opinions and not likely to hold extreme views on issues/ political ideology that falls in between liberal and conservative

◦ Conservative Promotes limited government role in helping individuals economically, support traditional

values and lifestyles, favors more active role for govt. in promoting national security, approaches change cautiously

◦ Reactionary Advocates a return to a previous state of affairs, often a social order or government that

existed earlier in history (may be willing to go to extremes to achieve their goals)

Ideology –a consistent set of beliefs