Political Socialization, Political Behavior, and Public Opinion

Role of Public Opinion in Democracies

• Learning Objective 9.1: Identify the role of public opinion in democracies and the stability of core values.

  • Social Contract Theory: Government legitimacy is derived from the consent of the governed, emphasizing the government's role in preserving natural rights.

  • Alexis de Tocqueville: Claimed that public opinion is the dominant force in America, shaping democracy.

  • James Madison: Suggested that conflict and disagreement are inherent in the political system.

  • Debate on Public Opinion: The extent of public opinion's influence on policymaking remains a subject of ongoing debate.

Stability of Core Values

• Learning Objective 9.1.2: Recognize the stability of key democratic values.

  • Core values widely supported include:

    • Republican government structure.

    • Free and competitive elections.

    • National Pride.

    • Majority rule with minority rights protection.

    • Personal liberty and individualism.

    • Political equality and equality of opportunity.

• Shifts in Public Opinion: Factors causing changes include:

  • Cohort Replacement: Generational shifts in values.

  • Technological Changes: Influence of new technologies on public opinion.

  • Geographic Mobility: Movement of people affecting regional opinions.

  • Foreign Policy Issues: Rapid public opinion changes tend to concentrate on foreign matters.

Formation of Political Values and Opinions

• Learning Objective 9.2: Explain how views and political ideologies develop.

  • Political Ideology: A consistent set of beliefs about government purpose.

    • Liberals: Favor social and cultural reforms.

    • Conservatives: Uphold traditional views on social and economic issues.

    • Populists: Advocate for the rights of the common people.

    • Libertarians: Prioritize individual freedoms.

• Political Socialization: Mechanism of transmitting culture and values across generations.

  • Key agents influencing socialization include:

    • Family: Primary source of early political beliefs.

    • Schools: Formal education shapes civic understanding.

    • Peers: Influence social norms and political behavior.

    • Media: Impacts perceptions and awareness of issues.

    • Religion: Shapes moral and ethical viewpoints.

    • Significant Events: Cultural and historical events mark shifts in political perspectives.

Group Membership and Public Opinion

• Learning Objective 9.3: Explore how demographics impact political opinions in Texas.

  • Demographic Factors: Diverse elements such as race, income, education, etc., shape political behavior.

  • Crosscutting Cleavages: Social divisions leading to varied group politics.

  • Intersectionality: The interplay of multiple demographic factors influences opinions.

Political Party Influences

• Party allegiance affects public opinion predictors, including demographic variables (socioeconomic status, education level).

• Within parties, factions such as the Tea Party showcase variances in opinions.

Gender Differences

• Gender Gap: Differences in political preferences and voting patterns by gender.

  • Women: Generally lean liberal, favor social programs and equality initiatives.

Race & Ethnicity Trends

• Anglo Voters: Typically assimilated into mainstream politics with diverse views.

• Ethnic Minorities: African Americans and Hispanics tend to support Democrats more, reflecting shared interests.

Education's Role

• Voter attitudes vary significantly by educational attainment, influencing views on freedoms, social issues.

Religion's Impact

• Majority of Texans (69%) believe in God, with evangelical Protestants comprising the largest faith group influencing policy views.

Age Influence

• Age predicts political engagement, with middle-aged individuals actively participating while young voters lag behind in turnout.

Political Participation

• Learning Objective 9.4: Discuss how public opinion translates into political action.

  • Conventional Participation: Voting, running for office, campaign contributions, and lobbying.

  • Unconventional Participation: Engaging in protests, boycotts.

Voting Patterns

• Factors affecting participation include age, income, education, and demographic identities.

• Texas is noted for lower voter turnout rates relative to national averages, particularly among youth.

Public Opinion Polling

• Learning Objective 9.5: Understand public opinion measurement and its interpretation.

• Types of Polls: Include benchmark, tracking, and exit polls, with variations in methodology impacting results.

• Controversies: Misinterpretation by media and overreliance by politicians can skew public discourse.