Public Opinion Flashcards
public opinion
opinions held by private citizens which governments find prudent to heed.
self-interest
foundations of preferences
individuals want government to take actions that will benefit them economically or improve their overall wellbeing
values
foundations of preferences
individuals have values about what is right or wrong, and these values affect their preferences about governmental policies
socialization
foundations of preferences
individuals learn opinions and attitudes from their family, friends, teachers and religious leaders, ansd others in their social groups and networks
political ideology
foundations of preferences
most Americans describe themselves as conservative or liberal. these political ideologies include beliefs about the role of government, public policies, and which groups in society should properly exercise power. your lens, or the way you see the world.
identity politics
foundations of preferences
individuals identify with groups- including racial, religous, and gender groups. policies that are beneficial to the group as a whole are viewed as good, while those harmful to the group are viewed as bad.
socialization
process in which infividuals take on their communities’ perspectives and preferences through social interactions.
liberal
believes that the government should play an active role in supporting social and political change and generally supports a strong role for the government in the economy, the provision of social services, and the protection of civil rights.
conservative
believes that social institutions (such as churches and corporations) and the free market solve problems better than governments do, that a large and powerful government poses a threat to citizens’ freedom, and that the appropriate role of government is to uphold “traditional” values
gender gap
voting
a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the difference in views between men and women, emerged in the 1980s
2 ways widespread inattention to politics weakens american democracy:
- those who lack political information do not know where their interests lie, thus not effectively defending them.
- the large number of politically ignorant people makes the political process more easily manipulated
government’s influence on public opinion
political leaders try to present their initiatives and accomplishments in a positive light to generate positive media coverage
private groups’ influence on public opinion
interest groups work to draw attention to issues and ideas that will further their cause
the media’s influence on public opinion
mass media is american’s main source of information about the government and politics. they influence information by bringing attention to particular issues, priming the public to take a certain view of a political actor, and framing issues and events in a certain way
equal time rule
FCC requirement that broadcasters provide candidates for the same political office an equal opportunity to communicate their messages to the public
