Questions to Consider and Answers

What are the 5 “core values” of American political culture, and how do different ideologies interpret them differently?

• The core values are: Liberty, Equality, Democracy, Individualism, and Unity.

  • Conservatives value liberty and individualism but emphasize limited government and traditional social norms.

  • Liberals emphasize equality and democracy, advocating for government intervention to ensure social justice.

  • Libertarians prioritize individual liberty and minimal government interference.

  • Socialists focus on equality and democracy, advocating for wealth redistribution and collective ownership.

What are the basic beliefs of each major American political ideology?

• Conservatism: Limited government, free-market economy, traditional values, and personal responsibility.

• Liberalism: Government intervention in the economy to address inequality, protection of civil liberties, and social welfare programs.

• Libertarianism: Maximum individual freedom with minimal government intervention.

• Socialism: Government control of key industries and wealth redistribution to promote equality.

What are the 6 primary agents of socialization?

• Family

• Schools

• Peer Groups

• Media

• Religion

• Government

How do the following demographic factors influence whether someone will vote Democrat/Republican?

• Political Party Identification: Individuals often vote for the party they identify with (e.g., Democrats or Republicans).

• Race/Ethnicity: Minority groups, especially African Americans and Hispanics, tend to vote Democrat, while White voters often vote Republican.

• Sex/Gender: Women tend to vote more Democratic, while men are more likely to vote Republican.

• Geographic Location: Urban areas lean Democrat, while rural areas lean Republican.

• Religion: Religious individuals, particularly Evangelicals, tend to vote Republican; secular individuals often vote Democrat.

How do the following demographic factors influence whether someone will go out and vote?

• Age: Older individuals are more likely to vote than younger ones.

• Income Level: Higher-income individuals are more likely to vote due to greater political engagement and access to resources.

If presented with a voter profile (e.g., this person is a white millennial woman who lives in New York), how are they likely to vote?

• This person is likely to vote Democratic, given the combination of age, gender, and urban location (New York).

How can public opinion polling influence policymakers?

• Polling helps policymakers understand public opinion on various issues, guiding their policy decisions to align with public preferences and maintain electoral support.

What are some of the limitations to polling?

• Sampling Bias: If the sample isn't representative of the entire population.

• Question Wording: Poorly worded questions can skew responses.

• Nonresponse Bias: When certain groups are underrepresented because they don’t respond.

How do modern campaigns work?

• Modern campaigns rely on a mix of media outreach, digital advertising, political parties, and interest groups. They use polling and data analytics to target specific voter demographics and tailor messages.

What role do third parties and minor parties play in political participation?