UNIT 1-INTRO TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT amp POLITICAL BELIEFS

AND BEHAVIORS

What are you Political Quizzes

Tonight take two of these surveys and bring in the results

bull httpwwwpeople-pressorgtypology bull wwwpoliticalcompassorg bull httpself-govorgquizhtml bull httpwwwgotoquizcompoliticspolitical-

spectrum-quizhtml bull httpontheissuesorgquizengxPartyMatch

startasp

What are you Political Quizzes

Tonight take two of these surveys and bring in the results

bull httpwwwpeople-pressorgtypology bull wwwpoliticalcompassorg bull httpself-govorgquizhtml bull httpwwwgotoquizcompoliticspolitical-

spectrum-quizhtml bull httpontheissuesorgquizengxPartyMatch

startasp

American Political Culture

bull What is political culture

bull Alexis de Tocqueville

- why are we so unique

bull Elements of American political belief (economic and otherwise)

bull Sources

bull Letrsquos talk about the ldquoCulture Warrdquo

bull ldquoAmerica is the only nation in the world that is founded on a creedrdquo -GK Chesterton

American Political Culture

bull Political ideology in the US

bull 3 major theories of political philosophy (big picture) read Justice-Michael Sandel (Harvard professor of Political Philosophy)

American Political Culture

bull The Political Spectrum

bull Conservatism vs Liberalism and change over time

bull 4 classifications of voters ndash Ideologues (12)

ndash Group benefits voters (42)

ndash nature of the times voters (24)

ndash No issue content voters (22)

it appears the ldquoideologuerdquo group is increasingrdquo

Ideology (size of government)

bull Conservatism - small government on economic matters

- large government on moral matters

bull Liberalism - small government on moral matters

- large government on economic matters

bull Libertarianism

ndash Small government on moral matters ndash Small government on economic matters

WHICH IS LOGICALLY CONSISTENT

American Political Culture

bull Political ideology in the US

bull 3 major theories of political philosophy (big picture) read Justice-Michael Sandel (Harvard professor of Political Philosophy)

American Political Culture

bull The Political Spectrum

bull Conservatism vs Liberalism and change over time

bull 4 classifications of voters ndash Ideologues (12)

ndash Group benefits voters (42)

ndash nature of the times voters (24)

ndash No issue content voters (22)

it appears the ldquoideologuerdquo group is increasingrdquo

Ideology (size of government)

bull Conservatism - small government on economic matters

- large government on moral matters

bull Liberalism - small government on moral matters

- large government on economic matters

bull Libertarianism

ndash Small government on moral matters ndash Small government on economic matters

WHICH IS LOGICALLY CONSISTENT

American Political Culture

bull The Political Spectrum

bull Conservatism vs Liberalism and change over time

bull 4 classifications of voters ndash Ideologues (12)

ndash Group benefits voters (42)

ndash nature of the times voters (24)

ndash No issue content voters (22)

it appears the ldquoideologuerdquo group is increasingrdquo

Ideology (size of government)

bull Conservatism - small government on economic matters

- large government on moral matters

bull Liberalism - small government on moral matters

- large government on economic matters

bull Libertarianism

ndash Small government on moral matters ndash Small government on economic matters

WHICH IS LOGICALLY CONSISTENT

Ideology (size of government)

bull Conservatism - small government on economic matters

- large government on moral matters

bull Liberalism - small government on moral matters

- large government on economic matters

bull Libertarianism

ndash Small government on moral matters ndash Small government on economic matters

WHICH IS LOGICALLY CONSISTENT

The issues

Democrats

bull Liberal

bull Pro spending on social programs

bull Pro choice

bull Gay rights

bull Secular

bull Relax immigration rules

bull Gun control

bull Affirmative Action

bull Campaign regulations

bull Anti death penalty

bull More Federal government power

bull Proactive on environment

bull Embrace change

Republicans

bull Conservative

bull Pro spending on military

bull Pro life

bull Pro traditional marriage

bull Allow religion in public life

bull Border control

bull Second Amendment rights

bull Individualism

bull Economic freedom on campaigns

bull Pro Death Penalty

bull More State government power

bull Environmental regs hurt businesses

bull EmbraceTradition

The issues

Voting Coalitions of the Two Parties

Democrats

bull Young (18-21)

bull Women

bull African American

bull Jewish

bull North Eastern amp Western Regions

bull Urban

bull Union

Republicans

bull Upper Income

bull Protestantchurch going

bull Military families

bull South

bull Midwest

bull Rural

American Political Culture

bull Some terms you might hear

Socialism Populism Libertarianism Neo-conservatives Theo-cons (Bible Belt conservatives) Dixiecrats (extinct) New Deal liberals Greens Rust Belt

Sun Belt Farm Belt West Coast liberal Southern strategy Big Tent party Yellow Dog Democrat Blue Dog Democrat RINO

American Political Culture

bull What is the ldquoculture warrdquo and are we in one

bull Trust (or mistrust) in Government

- Why did Americans lose trust in Government

bull Political Efficacy

bull Political tolerance

- why do unpopular groups and ideas survive more easily in the US than in other countries

American Political Culture

bull What is the ldquoculture warrdquo and are we in one

bull Trust (or mistrust) in Government

- Why did Americans lose trust in Government

bull Political Efficacy

bull Political tolerance

- why do unpopular groups and ideas survive more easily in the US than in other countries

What Influences Individual Political Attitudes (Political Socialization)

American Political Culture

bull What is the ldquoculture warrdquo and are we in one

bull Trust (or mistrust) in Government

- Why did Americans lose trust in Government

bull Political Efficacy

bull Political tolerance

- why do unpopular groups and ideas survive more easily in the US than in other countries

American Political Culture

bull What is the ldquoculture warrdquo and are we in one

bull Trust (or mistrust) in Government

- Why did Americans lose trust in Government

bull Political Efficacy

bull Political tolerance

- why do unpopular groups and ideas survive more easily in the US than in other countries

What Influences Individual Political Attitudes (Political Socialization)

American Political Culture

bull What is the ldquoculture warrdquo and are we in one

bull Trust (or mistrust) in Government

- Why did Americans lose trust in Government

bull Political Efficacy

bull Political tolerance

- why do unpopular groups and ideas survive more easily in the US than in other countries

What Influences Individual Political Attitudes (Political Socialization)

What Influences Individual Political Attitudes (Political Socialization)

American Political Culture

bull Political SocializationAttitudes

bull Political Cleavages

Demographics amp Political Behaviors

bull ldquoVital Statistics in American Politicsrdquo by CQ httpwwwcqpresscomproductVital-Statistics-on-American-Politics-6html

bull Race ndash African American Hispanic Asian

bull Gender

bull Region ndash South Mid West West North East

bull Socioeconomic ndash highlow

bull Age ndash (18-21)

bull Religion ndash Catholic Jewish Protestant

bull UrbanRural

bull Union

Demographics amp Political Behaviors

bull ldquoVital Statistics in American Politicsrdquo by CQ httpwwwcqpresscomproductVital-Statistics-on-American-Politics-6html

bull Race ndash African American Hispanic Asian

bull Gender

bull Region ndash South Mid West West North East

bull Socioeconomic ndash highlow

bull Age ndash (18-21)

bull Religion ndash Catholic Jewish Protestant

bull UrbanRural

bull Union

Demographic Groups and Political BeliefsBehaviors

bull ldquoAll the African Americans who voted for Bush ended up on his Cabinetrdquo

ndash - Jay Leno After the 2000 Election Returns

African American voters in the 2004 Election

Race in 2010 Mid Terms

Trust in Government a story on NPR

bull Do Americans trust the government

bull How has trust in government changed over the years

bull What factors impact trust in government

bull What occurred in trust immediately after 911 amp why

Race in 2010 Mid Terms

Trust in Government a story on NPR

bull Do Americans trust the government

bull How has trust in government changed over the years

bull What factors impact trust in government

bull What occurred in trust immediately after 911 amp why

Trust in Government a story on NPR

bull Do Americans trust the government

bull How has trust in government changed over the years

bull What factors impact trust in government

bull What occurred in trust immediately after 911 amp why

American Political Culture bull Political Culture ndash Widely or commonly held beliefsattitudes within a society bull Political Socialization ndash The process by which citizens acquire their political beliefs

(what are the 4 agents) -family -schools -religious institutions - media (be carefulhellipselective perception)

bull Political Ideology ndash A set of principles that provides guidance on the proper

behavior of government

What is unique about American political culture bull Efficacy ndash citizenrsquos belief in their ability to impact government - 2 types

bull Legitimacy- citizenrsquos belief that the government has the right to rule

bull Individualismlimited governmentAmerican dream ndash the individual is responsible for finding prosperity

bull Patriotism ndash

Rally around the flag

The Nature of Politics

bull What is political power

bull ldquoDemocracyrdquo vs the American form of Democracy

So What is Democracy

Trends in US Political Culture

bull Patriotism and ldquorally around the flagrdquo

Trends in US Political Culture (Unit II)

bull Support of Congress

Interactive Web Site

bull Change in statersquos party loyalty over time

bull httpamericanpastrichmondeduvoting

bull What changes have occurred in support of the DemocratRepublican parties in voting for President

What is unique about American political culture bull Efficacy ndash citizenrsquos belief in their ability to impact government - 2 types

bull Legitimacy- citizenrsquos belief that the government has the right to rule

bull Individualismlimited governmentAmerican dream ndash the individual is responsible for finding prosperity

bull Patriotism ndash

Rally around the flag

The Nature of Politics

bull What is political power

bull ldquoDemocracyrdquo vs the American form of Democracy

So What is Democracy

Trends in US Political Culture

bull Patriotism and ldquorally around the flagrdquo

Trends in US Political Culture (Unit II)

bull Support of Congress

Interactive Web Site

bull Change in statersquos party loyalty over time

bull httpamericanpastrichmondeduvoting

bull What changes have occurred in support of the DemocratRepublican parties in voting for President

The Nature of Politics

bull What is political power

bull ldquoDemocracyrdquo vs the American form of Democracy

So What is Democracy

Trends in US Political Culture

bull Patriotism and ldquorally around the flagrdquo

Trends in US Political Culture (Unit II)

bull Support of Congress

Interactive Web Site

bull Change in statersquos party loyalty over time

bull httpamericanpastrichmondeduvoting

bull What changes have occurred in support of the DemocratRepublican parties in voting for President

So What is Democracy

Trends in US Political Culture

bull Patriotism and ldquorally around the flagrdquo

Trends in US Political Culture (Unit II)

bull Support of Congress

Interactive Web Site

bull Change in statersquos party loyalty over time

bull httpamericanpastrichmondeduvoting

bull What changes have occurred in support of the DemocratRepublican parties in voting for President

Trends in US Political Culture

bull Patriotism and ldquorally around the flagrdquo

Trends in US Political Culture (Unit II)

bull Support of Congress

Interactive Web Site

bull Change in statersquos party loyalty over time

bull httpamericanpastrichmondeduvoting

bull What changes have occurred in support of the DemocratRepublican parties in voting for President

Trends in US Political Culture (Unit II)

bull Support of Congress

Interactive Web Site

bull Change in statersquos party loyalty over time

bull httpamericanpastrichmondeduvoting

bull What changes have occurred in support of the DemocratRepublican parties in voting for President

Interactive Web Site

bull Change in statersquos party loyalty over time

bull httpamericanpastrichmondeduvoting

bull What changes have occurred in support of the DemocratRepublican parties in voting for President

What does it mean to have a ldquobig tentrdquo party

Obama attempts to build a big tent

bull httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=LweI9U6ePPU

Glenn Beck Criticizes the big tent

httpwwwhuffingtonpostcom20100220glenn-beck-cpac-2010-spee_n_470356html

bull Blue Dog Democrat

bull RINO

bull Tea Party

Religion in 2010 elections httppewresearchorgpubs17912010-midterm-elections-exit-poll-religion-

vote

httponfaithwashingtonpostcomonfaithundergod201011with_election_results_in_debate_over_religious_factor_beginshtmlcommentshp

id=talkbox1

A Brief History of Polling

bull Straw Polls

bull The Literary Digest fiasco

bull ldquoDewey Defeats Trumanrdquo

bull Scientific sampling- George Gallup and Elmo Roper

Steps in Scientific Polling

1 Define the universe or population to be surveyed

2 Construct a sample

3 Carefully construct unbiased questions

4 Conduct the poll

5 Analyze and report the data

Polls The Good Bad and Ugly

bull A Tool for Democracy public can express its opinion political leaders can gain an understanding of constituent beliefs and implement them

bull Transforms leaders into followers

bull manipulation

bull Proves how uninformed electorate is

Public Opinion Polling

bull Methods

ndash Random sample

ndash Random digit dialing

ndash Focus Groups

ndash Importance of wording of question

bull Accuracy

-margin of error

Steps in Scientific Polling

1 Define the universe or population to be surveyed

2 Construct a sample

3 Carefully construct unbiased questions

4 Conduct the poll

5 Analyze and report the data

Polls The Good Bad and Ugly

bull A Tool for Democracy public can express its opinion political leaders can gain an understanding of constituent beliefs and implement them

bull Transforms leaders into followers

bull manipulation

bull Proves how uninformed electorate is

Public Opinion Polling

bull Methods

ndash Random sample

ndash Random digit dialing

ndash Focus Groups

ndash Importance of wording of question

bull Accuracy

-margin of error

Polls The Good Bad and Ugly

bull A Tool for Democracy public can express its opinion political leaders can gain an understanding of constituent beliefs and implement them

bull Transforms leaders into followers

bull manipulation

bull Proves how uninformed electorate is

Public Opinion Polling

bull Methods

ndash Random sample

ndash Random digit dialing

ndash Focus Groups

ndash Importance of wording of question

bull Accuracy

-margin of error

Public Opinion Polling

bull Methods

ndash Random sample

ndash Random digit dialing

ndash Focus Groups

ndash Importance of wording of question

bull Accuracy

-margin of error

Political Behaviors

bull Forms - voting - protest -grass roots -boycott - joining an interest group or party

- working on a campaign

-donating money

-etc

Voter Turnout - Obstacles

bull Voter Registration

bull Absentee Ballots

bull Single Day Tuesday Voting

Demographic Groups

bull Young (18-21)

bull Low income

Reasons for decline in voter turnout

bull Expansion of suffrage

bull Apathy

What is the impact of low turnout

Voter Turnout

bull What is an average turnout in a Presidential election

bull In a ldquomid termrdquo election

bull Off year

bull Primary Closed primary

bull What types of voters vote in low turnout elections

Political Behavior

Political Participation

American Political Culture

bull Formal Blocks (Institutional Restrictions) on voting

bull Informal voting blocks

American Political Culture

bull Efforts to increase voter turnout

ndash Motor Voter

ndash Online voting (Why and why not)

bull Voter turnout trends

American Political Culture

bull Participation ndash Inactive (15)- donrsquot participate in any way

ndash Voting specialists- vote only

ndash Campaigners- strong positions vote and campaign

ndash Communalists- far more nonpartisan than campaigners ldquocommunityrdquo activists

ndash Parochials- rarely vote but contact politicians about specific issues (often personal)

ndash Activists- (19)- highly educated participate in all forms of government political geeks

6 Terms Most Likely To Appear on the AP EXAM

bull Political culture

bull Political socialization

bull Public opinion

bull Political ideology

bull Political efficacy

bull Split-ticket voting

Tea Party vs Occupy Movement

Impact of Tea Party on Recent Republican Primaries

bull Tea-party backed Republicans have beaten ldquoRINOrdquo Republicans in Primaries sometimes to lose in the General Election

bull Example Christine OrsquoDonnell who ran for US Senate in Delaware won in Republican primary against Mike Castle (RINO) but lost in general election to Democrat Chris Coons

Political Participation

American Political Culture

bull Formal Blocks (Institutional Restrictions) on voting

bull Informal voting blocks

American Political Culture

bull Efforts to increase voter turnout

ndash Motor Voter

ndash Online voting (Why and why not)

bull Voter turnout trends

American Political Culture

bull Participation ndash Inactive (15)- donrsquot participate in any way

ndash Voting specialists- vote only

ndash Campaigners- strong positions vote and campaign

ndash Communalists- far more nonpartisan than campaigners ldquocommunityrdquo activists

ndash Parochials- rarely vote but contact politicians about specific issues (often personal)

ndash Activists- (19)- highly educated participate in all forms of government political geeks

6 Terms Most Likely To Appear on the AP EXAM

bull Political culture

bull Political socialization

bull Public opinion

bull Political ideology

bull Political efficacy

bull Split-ticket voting

Tea Party vs Occupy Movement

Impact of Tea Party on Recent Republican Primaries

bull Tea-party backed Republicans have beaten ldquoRINOrdquo Republicans in Primaries sometimes to lose in the General Election

bull Example Christine OrsquoDonnell who ran for US Senate in Delaware won in Republican primary against Mike Castle (RINO) but lost in general election to Democrat Chris Coons

American Political Culture

bull Formal Blocks (Institutional Restrictions) on voting

bull Informal voting blocks

American Political Culture

bull Efforts to increase voter turnout

ndash Motor Voter

ndash Online voting (Why and why not)

bull Voter turnout trends

American Political Culture

bull Participation ndash Inactive (15)- donrsquot participate in any way

ndash Voting specialists- vote only

ndash Campaigners- strong positions vote and campaign

ndash Communalists- far more nonpartisan than campaigners ldquocommunityrdquo activists

ndash Parochials- rarely vote but contact politicians about specific issues (often personal)

ndash Activists- (19)- highly educated participate in all forms of government political geeks

6 Terms Most Likely To Appear on the AP EXAM

bull Political culture

bull Political socialization

bull Public opinion

bull Political ideology

bull Political efficacy

bull Split-ticket voting

Tea Party vs Occupy Movement

Impact of Tea Party on Recent Republican Primaries

bull Tea-party backed Republicans have beaten ldquoRINOrdquo Republicans in Primaries sometimes to lose in the General Election

bull Example Christine OrsquoDonnell who ran for US Senate in Delaware won in Republican primary against Mike Castle (RINO) but lost in general election to Democrat Chris Coons

American Political Culture

bull Efforts to increase voter turnout

ndash Motor Voter

ndash Online voting (Why and why not)

bull Voter turnout trends

American Political Culture

bull Participation ndash Inactive (15)- donrsquot participate in any way

ndash Voting specialists- vote only

ndash Campaigners- strong positions vote and campaign

ndash Communalists- far more nonpartisan than campaigners ldquocommunityrdquo activists

ndash Parochials- rarely vote but contact politicians about specific issues (often personal)

ndash Activists- (19)- highly educated participate in all forms of government political geeks

6 Terms Most Likely To Appear on the AP EXAM

bull Political culture

bull Political socialization

bull Public opinion

bull Political ideology

bull Political efficacy

bull Split-ticket voting

Tea Party vs Occupy Movement

Impact of Tea Party on Recent Republican Primaries

bull Tea-party backed Republicans have beaten ldquoRINOrdquo Republicans in Primaries sometimes to lose in the General Election

bull Example Christine OrsquoDonnell who ran for US Senate in Delaware won in Republican primary against Mike Castle (RINO) but lost in general election to Democrat Chris Coons

American Political Culture

bull Participation ndash Inactive (15)- donrsquot participate in any way

ndash Voting specialists- vote only

ndash Campaigners- strong positions vote and campaign

ndash Communalists- far more nonpartisan than campaigners ldquocommunityrdquo activists

ndash Parochials- rarely vote but contact politicians about specific issues (often personal)

ndash Activists- (19)- highly educated participate in all forms of government political geeks

6 Terms Most Likely To Appear on the AP EXAM

bull Political culture

bull Political socialization

bull Public opinion

bull Political ideology

bull Political efficacy

bull Split-ticket voting

Tea Party vs Occupy Movement

Impact of Tea Party on Recent Republican Primaries

bull Tea-party backed Republicans have beaten ldquoRINOrdquo Republicans in Primaries sometimes to lose in the General Election

bull Example Christine OrsquoDonnell who ran for US Senate in Delaware won in Republican primary against Mike Castle (RINO) but lost in general election to Democrat Chris Coons

6 Terms Most Likely To Appear on the AP EXAM

bull Political culture

bull Political socialization

bull Public opinion

bull Political ideology

bull Political efficacy

bull Split-ticket voting

Tea Party vs Occupy Movement

Impact of Tea Party on Recent Republican Primaries

bull Tea-party backed Republicans have beaten ldquoRINOrdquo Republicans in Primaries sometimes to lose in the General Election

bull Example Christine OrsquoDonnell who ran for US Senate in Delaware won in Republican primary against Mike Castle (RINO) but lost in general election to Democrat Chris Coons

Tea Party vs Occupy Movement

Impact of Tea Party on Recent Republican Primaries

bull Tea-party backed Republicans have beaten ldquoRINOrdquo Republicans in Primaries sometimes to lose in the General Election

bull Example Christine OrsquoDonnell who ran for US Senate in Delaware won in Republican primary against Mike Castle (RINO) but lost in general election to Democrat Chris Coons

Impact of Tea Party on Recent Republican Primaries

bull Tea-party backed Republicans have beaten ldquoRINOrdquo Republicans in Primaries sometimes to lose in the General Election

bull Example Christine OrsquoDonnell who ran for US Senate in Delaware won in Republican primary against Mike Castle (RINO) but lost in general election to Democrat Chris Coons

videos

bull Miss teen usa South Carolina answers a question

bull SNL undecided voter skit

bull Teachers trained to take down killer

bull Brian Havig Occupy Wall Street-be mad at stuff