Which is the fourth agent of political socialization that could differ by generation?
2a. Compare and contrast various American political ideologies and attitudes about the role and scope of government
Political ideology describes a belief system about how leaders should manage or administer government policies. Some use a political spectrum to differentiate political ideologies. For example they may say certain political viewpoints are liberal or lean to the left, are moderate or lean to the center, or are conservative or lean to the right. Show
Liberal ideologies typically oppose economic and social inequalities. They envision government as a tool to eliminate inequality, such as by implementing public programs that fight discrimination and reduce the negative effects of wealth inequality. Democrats represent the liberal party in the United States. Conservative ideologies prefer to preserve the existing social order and maintain individual freedoms by restricting government activities, in opposition to policies they might describe as "income distribution." Conservatives tend to support strong internal policing and national defense to preserve the status quo. Many conservatives support religious teachings and traditional ideas about morality. Republicans represent the conservative ideology in the United States. Moderate ideologies blend elements of liberalism and conservatism. Most Americans identify as moderate, rather than purely liberal or conservative. Both Democratic and Republican parties have members who are close to the political center. In other words, each party has members who are to the left and right of center, and whose views are more moderate. Review the article Political Ideology. 2b. Describe public opinion, how it is measured, and how it has evolved in American politics
Public opinion refers to the collective preferences that a group of people, usually citizens or residents, have on government matters. It can be difficult to obtain an accurate reading of public opinion. When political scientists determine what the majority of the general public thinks (the sum of individual opinions), they describe the public opinion on an issue. Political leaders, the news media, interest groups, business marketing, and other national organizations can play a large role in shaping public opinion. We can segment public opinion into different groups. For example, the attentive public pays close attention to the general issues of politics. Issue publics follow specific issues, such as the environment, defense spending, or healthcare. These individuals may not be as concerned about broader political issues, because they may have a personal relationship with their issue of interest, such as a healthcare activist who has a close family member with a medical condition. Public opinion polls measure public opinion by asking questions about individual preferences on certain political issues. Politicians use this data as evidence to support why the government should take certain actions. For example, liberal politicians often point to public opinion polls on gun control policies to support creating new laws to restrict gun sales. Democratic governments that aim to reflect the will of the people pay attention to public opinion so politicians can learn whether their policies match the preferences of the majority of their constituents. However, some argue that politicians should disregard public opinion polls when deciding certain issues, because the public is less informed about an issue, such as when public policy matters involve confidential information. Others complain that the polls ignore minority groups who also deserve a voice. Democratic governments have an ethical duty to protect all of their constituents, including the minority. Straw polls conducted in the early days of the United States were often inaccurate. By the 1920s, researchers began using more scientifically-rigorous polling methods, by gathering samples that reflected the population more accurately. Researchers continue to refine the polling process by introducing techniques, such as probability sampling. They are also experimenting with alternative ways of measuring public opinion, such as public judgment and deliberative polling. Review descriptions of public opinion and polling methods in the chapter Public Opinion, and the essay Political Polls by John Zogby. 2c. Define the major factors of political socialization in American society
Political socialization refers to how individuals form their political opinions, such as through their interactions with others. Agents of political socialization, such as parents, teachers, friends, coworkers, and media figures, often play a large role in influencing others. However, political engagement is far from uniform and agents often conflict, such as when your friends and family have different political opinions. We can base political ideologies on an individual's political generation, where groups share similar political beliefs because they lived through similar social, economic, or political experiences. For example, consider those who lived through the Great Depression (1929–39), the Vietnam War (1955–75), or the World Trade Center attack in 2001. Political events can occur during the most formative and impressionable years of the political socialization process (late adolescence to early adulthood), when a new generation of voters confronts new political and economic realities. Today, the news and social media play a major role in our political socialization. For example, entertainment and media depictions of different social groups can greatly impact how we think about others and the world around us, and influence how we engage in politics. Positive and negative depictions can shape American attitudes toward politics and government. Review the chapter Political Culture and Socialization and the lecture Public Opinion by Patrick Scott. 2d. Discuss how public opinion polling influences electoral outcomes
Public opinion polls can give political candidates a sense of how their constituents feel about certain issues so they can craft a political message that is relevant and appealing. This allows them to shape a platform that is responsive to the desires of the people they represent. The intensity of an interest group's policy preferences can be critical. For example, a small number of constituents who care deeply about an issue may organize and convince other voters to follow them, while a large group that has a passing interest may lack the motivation to act or show up on election day. Public opinion polls measure public opinion on a given topic during a certain time period. For example, new circumstances and facts can cause individuals to change their opinion frequently. Pollsters are also limited because they do not have the time or resources to talk to everyone. Consequently, they must rely on representative samples to gauge what a group of potential voters thinks. For example, if you take a poll that includes female voters, you may obtain a different response when you conduct a later poll that excludes them. While sampling methods have improved, they do not reflect the population perfectly. Pollsters and those who take polls should also be aware that questions can be worded in ways that prompt respondents to choose a response that may misrepresent their position. Review the article Political Polls: Why We Just Can't Live without Them by John Zogby. 2e. Explain American political culture and values and their connection to social and demographic characteristics
Political culture refers to the attitudes, ideas, and actions that influence political participation and beliefs. For example, principles of egalitarianism and individualism are influential values in American political culture. Americans like to hear and tell stories about individuals who stand up for their rights and beliefs, and those who fight injustice. Needless to say, political culture can change based on life experiences and socialization processes. While Americans share many ideals and values, pockets of divergent political cultures exist. Consider how people of different ages and backgrounds adapt to cultural changes that take place at home, on a college campus, and in the workplace. For example, until recently white men were the most active participants in building American political culture since women and people of color were legally barred from voting and taking part in civic activities. While many laws have adapted, the process of changing political culture can be slow, ongoing, and fraught with animosity and tension. Review the chapter Political Culture and Socialization. 2f. Differentiate the various methods by which voters participate in politics
Americans participate in a wide range of civic activities beyond the ballot box. For example, many donate money to a certain political party or participate in pre-election activities, such as by making phone calls (phone banking) or visiting homes to encourage individuals to vote (canvassing). Americans engage with their elected officials by participating in rallies and demonstrations, attending local town hall meetings, writing letters, making phone calls, and sending emails and tweets to express their thoughts about the issues they consider important. We also contribute to political culture when we discuss political issues, candidates, and our voting plans with friends, family, and coworkers. When we go to vote, we set an example for our friends, family, and children that demonstrates we believe the electoral process is important to us and our community. Review the chapter Political Culture and Socialization. 2g. Explain the characteristics of voter turnout, party identification, and issue preferences on how people vote
Voter turnout refers to the number of people who submit a ballot, by going to a polling station or submitting an absentee ballot to vote. In this way we have the opportunity to express our opinions or preferences in an election. Voter turnout is a key element of representative democracy and helps ensure the government reflects the interests of its constituents. Politicians tend to pay more attention to populations who vote for or against them because their election depends on them. Voter turnout also tends to predict whether citizens will engage in other forms of civic engagement. Party identification or affiliation refers to the political party an individual tends to support, whether they are voting in an election, donating campaign funds, volunteering, or encouraging others to do the same. People who identify strongly with a political party are more likely to turn out to vote during the election. Issue preferences refer to how individuals choose to vote based on a specific issue of public policy. For example, an individual who feels strongly about an issue, such as gun control, climate change, or reproductive health, is more likely to turn up to vote during an election when one candidate has taken a strong position for or against the issue they support. In some cases, issue preferences can predict party identification, but an individual's views do not always neatly align with the entire party platform. Review the report America Goes to the Polls 2010 by George Pillsbury and Julian Johannesen, and the video Voting Behavior and Intensity. 2h. Determine the factors that explain why people choose not to vote
While voting can be a primary way for citizens to influence their democratic government, fewer eligible voters participate in elections than in the past. Perhaps citizens are complacent or disenchanted with the political system. They may not identify with the candidates or political parties; the issues do not seem compelling or relevant; the candidates seem to take similar positions; or the individual feels their one vote will make little, if any, difference. Many believe candidates only reward their big donors, lobbyists, and special interest groups anyway. Likewise, voters in safe districts, where an incumbent candidate or party is almost assured a win because they enjoy a majority, may be less inclined to vote. Some suggest adopting a ranked-choice voting system that would allow third-party candidates to participate in elections more easily, a system that is in place in many European countries. Nonpartisan redistricting could also make these safe districts more competitive, and force candidates to listen to those with opposing viewpoints. Others promote campaign finance reform to limit donations from wealthy individuals and companies, so less wealthy voters have more say in policy decision making. The media also needs to do a better job covering local elections, where smaller numbers can turn the tide on issues that affect the entire local community. Review the report America Goes to the Polls 2010 by George Pillsbury and Julian Johannesen, the video Voting Behavior and Intensity, and the lecture Political Participation and Voting by Patrick Scott. 2i. Describe how the media influences the American public and political behavior
Some refer to the media as the fourth estate or fourth branch of government (after the executive, legislative, and judicial branches) because it serves a vital link between politicians, government officials, and the public. The news media not only keeps people informed about political issues, but it can shape public opinion by the way it presents the news the editors consider important. In a democracy, the media can highlight policies that work and uncover deception and corruption so voters can make informed choices about political candidates, public policy, and public institutions. New forms of media, such as social media and blogging, have become important factors in American politics. The accessibility of these relatively new forms of media means anyone can report and share their interpretation of local, public, and civic events to a wide audience. On the one hand, this new accessibility allows individuals to distribute stories that traditional media outlets ignored in the past. On the other hand, authors are not bound to the same rigorous professional and ethical standards traditional journalists follow. Readers do not know whether the news stories reflect events accurately or were fabricated to support a particular hidden political agenda. Competition among so many media distribution outlets means stories are shared so quickly with readers that editors have less time to check facts and determine whether the stories are newsworthy or were designed to hide certain facts. The 24-hour news cycle means public figures also have less time to check for accuracy and craft thoughtful responses that will influence their policy making. For more on the media, review the chapter Communication in the Information Age, the video Elections: New Media, New Challenges, and the lecture The Media by Patrick Scott. Unit 2 Vocabulary
What are the 4 agents of political socialization?Agents of socialization, sometimes referred to as institutions, work together to influence and shape people's political and economic norms and values. Such institutions include, but are not limited to: families, media, peers, schools, religions, work and legal systems.
What are the agents of political socialization quizlet?What is Political Socialization? It is the learning process through which individuals acquire their political opinions, beliefs and values in any society. What are the 6 agents of political socialization? The Family, Schools, Mass Media, Peers, Churches and religion, Political Institutions and Leaders.
Which of these is not an agent of political socialization?Hence, it could be concluded that government is NOT an agent of socialization.
What is a political generation quizlet?A political generation is a group of individuals, similar in age, who share a general set of political socialization experiences leading to the development of shared political orientations that distinguish them from other age groups in society.
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