Opinions and Politics Public Opinion Public Policy Public

Opinions and Politics

Public Opinion & Public Policy • Public Opinion – the attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics • Public Policy – All of the many goals that a government pursues in all the many areas of human affairs (school, warfare, trade) • If politicians want to be re-elected, they make public policy based on public opinion as much as possible

Public Opinion • There are many Publics of people – Publics refer to a group of people who share a common attitude on a matter – Membership of groups shift from topic to topic – Public opinion is specific to attitudes on Public Affairs • • Politics Public issues Legislation Enforcement

Public Opinions • Opinions are formed through a combination of differing agents of socialization – Family – School – Media – Peers – Opinion Leaders – History

Measuring Public Opinion • Public opinion polls – Devices that attempt to collect information about people’s attitudes on public affairs • Straw votes – Ask huge numbers the same question – Not scientific – Not reliable because the sample group is too narrow

Measuring Public Opinion • Public opinion polls – Devices that attempt to collect information about people’s attitudes on public affairs • Scientific polling – Five step process » Define the population (group) you want to study » Construct a sample of about 1, 500 people (yeah, that small works!) » Create carefully worded questions » Interview the sample group » Analyze the findings – Fairly reliable at the national level

Political Parties Linking People to Politics • The goal of political parties is to try to influence government through getting members elected to office • There are two strong political parties in the USA – Democrats • Left wing • Liberal – Republicans • Right wing • Conservative – Most people in the USA are MODERATES; in between far left wing and far right wing

Political Parties Linking People to Politics • There are four reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA – History • Not mentioned in the Constitution • Started almost immediately after Constitution was signed • Tend to moderate, not alienate – Tradition • It is important because it’s always been important • Distrust of a third party

Political Parties Linking People to Politics • There are four reasons we have a history of the two-party system in the USA – Electoral System • Winner take all system • Favors the major players • Third party vote is “wasted vote” – Close political ideology • No large communist element • No large fascist element • Mostly all center-right republican element

Political Parties Linking People to Politics • There are five basic activities parties do 1. Nominating candidates 2. Informing and Activating members • • Campaigning Getting out the vote! 3. “Bonding” Agent • • Guaranteeing the actions of elected officials Makes sure they “do the right thing” 4. Governing • Organization of legislatures to pass the “right” laws 5. Watchdog • Pointing out the mistakes of the other party

Elections Linking People to Politics • Mandate – When a political party wins a lot of the elections – When an individual wins by a lot of points – Politicians claim that the people DEMAND that they carry out their versions of public policy

Elections Linking People to Politics • Cool things other states have that PA doesn’t – Initiative • The PEOPLE can introduce laws, not just the legislature – Referendum • The PEOPLE can pass laws, not just the legislature – Recall • The people can demand new elections to get rid of elected politicians, not just wait until the next election day

Elections Linking People to Politics • Voter turnout in USA is low compared to most other democratic nations – Mostly because of lack of interest – Even lower in the years we don’t elect a president – People get disappointed in politics • Nothing changes • Only the rich can afford to run for office

Mass Media Linking People to Politics • Mass Media – communication that reaches a large audience. • This includes: ü the Internet, ü television, ü radio, ü advertising, ü movies ü newspapers, ü magazines ü and so forth. • Goals of the mass media – Inform the public – Entertain the public (so they buy the medium and the company makes money)

Mass Media Linking People to Politics • Media play large roles in – Setting public agenda What the public feels is a big problem that needs immediate attention • Focus on certain news items, downplay others • – Doesn’t often change opinions on the solutions to the problems – Doesn’t often change opinions on voting – More informed people tend to not be influenced as much

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics • Interest Group – an organization which tries to influence public policy by influencing those people who get elected to office, NOT by getting themselves elected to office

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics • Interest Groups are different than political parties – IG do NOT nominate candidates – they support them – IG are concerned with influencing policy, not controlling government – IG have a narrow focus on issues – Private organizations

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics • Types – Economic • Business groups • Labor groups – (Special) Issue-oriented • Devoted to a special cause • Examples – Saving endangered species – Rights to use medical marijuana – Rights to own guns

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics • Types – Public Interest • Special interests of the members • To benefit all people – Political Action Committees (PACs) • Private interest groups • Raise money • To influence the results of elections

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics • Types – Group Organizations • Segments of the population • Examples – AARP (retired people) – Veterans groups

Interest Groups Linking People to Politics • Working the system – Lobbyists • People who try to persuade politicians to favor their cause • Most are professionals – Try to influence politicians • At all levels of government – National – State • All branches of government – Legislative – Executive – Judicial