American Political Culture, Socialization, and Public Opinion
Core Ideals of American Political Culture and Beliefs
Definition of Political Culture: Political culture consists of the collective values, principles, and standards—such as liberty, equality, and democracy—that constitute the foundation of a society's culture. It encompasses the attitudes and opinions held by individuals concerning public issues and leaders, as well as the overarching belief system that includes commitments to capitalism and active participation in democracy.
Core American Values: * Individualism: The belief that individuals are primarily responsible for themselves, their own well-being, and their personal success. * Equality of Opportunity: The principle that individuals should not be discriminated against based on race, religion, gender, or family wealth. * Free Enterprise: An economic system driven by the profit motive, where businesses operate to generate profit with minimal interference. * Rule of Law: The principle that laws apply equally to all citizens. This includes the guarantee of Due Process, which ensures that set procedures are followed for every person and that individuals have the right to defend themselves. It also includes the presumption of innocence (innocent until proven guilty). * Limited Government: The general belief in the United States that less government intervention is better for society and the individual.
Political Socialization
Definition: The process by which individuals obtain their political values and beliefs. This process is generally continuous and passed from one generation to the next as part of growing up.
Agents of Socialization: * The Family: Historically considered the most important agent of political socialization. While many students view themselves as independent, most align with the political leanings of their parents. Approximately of voters identify with the same political party as their parents. * Education: Schools and social studies courses teach key values such as liberty, equality, individualism, and democracy. Peer groups and school activities also contribute. Notably, college graduates demonstrate a higher level of political participation than other Americans. * Social Groups: * Race: Black and white Americans often differ on issues like affirmative action and race relations. * Religion: Religious groups show variations in opinions on same-sex marriage, school prayer, and abortion. * Gender: Men and women often hold divergent views on healthcare reform and defense budget support. * Media: The internet and social media have a massive impact on the socialization of young people.
Voter Participation and Trends
Age and Turnout: Voter turnout increases with age. Older citizens vote in the highest numbers, which often leads politicians and officeholders to treat their interests more favorably.
Political Efficacy: This is the belief that an individual's political participation actually matters and can impact the political system. A high sense of political efficacy encourages participation.
Distrust of Government: A decline in trust in the government is directly linked to a corresponding decline in political efficacy. When people do not trust the government, they are less likely to participate in the system.
Generational Voting Patterns: * The Greatest Generation: People who lived through the Great Depression. They tend to be more liberal because they saw the necessity and benefit of government assistance during that era. * Millennials and Generation Z: Mentioned as distinct groups with varying views, though specific details vary by individual.
Forms of Political Participation and Ideology
Conventional Participation: Utilizing established institutional channels to influence politics. Examples include: * Voting. * Running for public office. * Collecting signatures for petitions.
Unconventional Participation: Methods designed to achieve policy change through dramatic or non-traditional techniques. Examples include: * Protest. * Civil Disobedience: Purposely breaking laws that are perceived as unjust. * Violence (noted as appearing in various contexts over recent months).
Political Ideology: A cohesive set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and the role of government. Interestingly, research shows only about of Americans vote strictly along ideological lines.
The American Political Spectrum
Liberals (The Left): * Symbolized by the Donkey (Democratic Party). * Make up approximately of the population. * Central concern is protecting and enhancing individual freedom. * Believe the national government should be expanded to solve societal problems (poverty, minority rights, women's rights). * Support: Reproductive rights (abortion), universal healthcare, government regulation (economic and environmental), voting rights, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. * Oppose: Increases in military spending, committing troops to foreign wars, and prayer in public schools.
Moderates (The Middle): * Voters who are not extreme in their views and generally do not identify with either major political party.
Conservatives (The Right): * Symbolized by the Republican Party. * Make up approximately of the population. * Philosophy often referred to as traditionalism. * Believe individuals are better off solving problems for themselves; government intervention often makes things worse. * Support: Traditional social institutions, less government spending, debt reduction, military power expansion, the death penalty, and free-market solutions. * Oppose: Expansion of the national government, social welfare programs (viewed as ineffective), national healthcare systems, and abortion (on moral grounds).
Independents: * Represent the majority of Americans, roughly of the population. * Voters who prioritize issues over party loyalty or ideology. They do not have long-standing identification with one party and do not consistently vote for the same party from election to election.
Libertarians: * Advocate for minimal government involvement in personal, family, and business decisions. They believe people should be free to live as they wish as long as they do no harm to others.
Demographic and Geographic Influences
The Gender Gap: A trend observed since roughly where women have gravitated away from the Republican Party.
Microtargeting: A research technique where data (race, gender, religion, age, education, location) is analyzed to target specific individuals based on their likelihood of supporting a candidate.
Geography: * Liberal Strongholds: The West Coast and the Northeast (specifically the Pacific states and New England). These areas tend to support environmental protection, alternate lifestyles, and higher tax rates. The Northeast was the first region to legalize gay marriage. * Conservative Strongholds: The Midwest and the South (the Bible Belt). These regions often have more religious views and higher support for Second Amendment (gun) rights.
Case Study: The Presidential Election: * Hillary Clinton: Won the popular vote by approximately votes. Her support was concentrated on the East Coast and West Coast. * Donald Trump: Won the presidency by securing electoral votes (where were required). His support was concentrated in the Midwest and the South.
Economic Philosophies
Keynesian Economics (Liberal/Left): * Advocates for increased government control over the economy and increased government spending to stimulate growth. * Associated with Democratic presidents like Barack Obama.
Supply-Side Economics (Conservative/Right): * Suggests economic growth is best achieved by lowering taxes and decreasing government regulation. * Associated with Republican presidents like Donald Trump, who worked to reverse Keynesian policies.
Public Opinion Polling
Definitions: Public opinion refers to how people feel about issues or policies. Polling is the method used to assess this opinion.
George Gallup: Known as the father of modern public opinion polling.
Polling Methods and Terms: * Sample Polling: Selecting a small group to represent a larger population. A sample as small as can represent the views of Americans if done correctly. * Random Sampling: Choosing respondents randomly to ensure accuracy. * Sampling Error: Error in statistical analysis resulting from unrepresentative samples. * Random Digit Dialing: A method for telephone surveys that includes unlisted numbers. Problems include the generational divide (elderly use landlines; young people use cell phones). * Internet Polling: Often unreliable due to the specific demographics of internet users. * Robocalls: Computerized autodialers. Regulated by federal law to identify the caller and provide contact info. * Straw Polls: Unofficial votes to gauge popular opinion. Example: In , Barack Obama masks outsold Mitt Romney masks by , which some used to predict the winner. * Exit Polls: Conducted at polling places as people leave. Can be unreliable if people lie (e.g., in , some were hesitant to admit voting for Donald Trump). * Push Polls: Polls that use loaded or manipulative questions to sway voters. Example (McCain): "Would you be more or less likely to vote for John McCain if you knew he fathered an illegitimate child?"
The Impact of Polling on Democracy
Successes of Polling: Provides a way for the public to express opinions to officials and helps leaders understand public preferences.
Criticisms of Polling: * Leaders into Followers: Politicians might follow the poll results rather than doing what is right. * Manipulation: Polls can be used to influence people. * Bandwagon Effect: People joining a cause because it seems everyone else is in agreement. * Bradley Effect: Voters telling pollsters they are undecided or supporting a non-white candidate when they actually intend to vote for a white candidate (due to perceived controversy).
Questions & Discussion
The Influence of Views: What do you think was the greatest influence on your political views or political beliefs? (Socialization context).
Activity on Socialization: The lecture prompts a pause to find visual representations of political socialization.
Activity on Spectrums: The lecture prompts students to draw the American political spectrum and place themselves on it.
Negatives of Polling: What are a couple of the negatives associated with public opinion polls? (Answer: Potential for inaccuracy and the risk of manipulating rather than measuring opinion).