Ch. 06 - Public Opinion

Question 1

Public Opinion

Answer 1

The array of beliefs and attitudes that people hold about political and related affairs

Question 2

What do Americans hold in common?

Answer 2

• Americans are proud of their country, 85% of Americans are extremely proud or very proud to be an American, 11% identify as moderately proud, and only 5% say they are a little or not at all proud.
• Americans are positive about their country’s political, social, and economic institutions.
• Majority of Americans support equality, freedom, consent of the governed, and capitalism and the free enterprise system.

Question 3

Where do Americans differ?

Answer 3

• The meaning of equality
• Limits of freedom
• Political Ideology (Liberals and conservatives)

Question 4

Political Ideology

Answer 4

The set of underlying ideas and beliefs through which we come to understand and interpret politics

Question 5

Liberal

Answer 5

Refers to those who generally support social and political reform, government intervention in the economy, more economic equality, expansion of federal and social services, and greater concern for consumers and the environment

Question 6

Conservative

Answer 6

Refers to those who generally support the social and economic status quo and are suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulas and economic arrangements; conservatives believe that a large and powerful government poses a threat to citizens freedom

Question 7

Socialist

Answer 7

Is someone who generally believes in social ownership, strong government, free markets, and reducing economic inequality

Question 8

Libertarian

Answer 8

A person who supports individual liberty over government authority in economic, personal, and social realms

Question 9

Populist

Answer 9

A person who believes that the government can be a positive agent to protect the “common people” against the moneyed elite

Question 10

Political Socialization

Answer 10

The process through which these underlying political beliefs and values are formed

Question 11

6 Most important agents of socialization

Answer 11

• Family
• Membership in social groups
• Education
• Political environment
• Religion
• Party affiliation

Question 12

Public-opinion polls

Answer 12

Polls used to help decide whether to run for office, what policies to support, how to vote on important legislation, and what types of appeals to make in their campaigns

Question 13

4 Methods used to conduct public-opinion polls

Answer 13

• Random sample
• Random digit dialing
• Internet surveys
• Face to face surveys