Political Beliefs and Behaviors Traditions of Citizen Behaviors

Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Traditions of Citizen Behaviors • Why has the 2 party system dominated? • Where do the ideas behind conservative and liberal viewpoints come from? – Hint: Think broad, not specific policy views. What do they want, and where did those ideas start?

Viewpoint Origins • When did the idea of limited government start? • Mid 1800 s: • Post CW: • Late 1800 s: • Mid 1900 s to current:

Participation and Voting • Voter turnout trends down, with occasional peaks

Participation and Voting • What does “participation” include? • Registration has gotten simpler/quicker – Turnout among registered voters is stable • What influences whether people vote? • What has helped people get more involved in the past 10 years?

Participation and Civic Responsibility • Civic participation; civic groups are vehicles for change • Various groups assist and lobby; religious, education, medical, business, environmental, etc • More single-issue groups have emerged • All trying to access funds and get attention • Polls show faith in individual power is dropping, why?

Shifts in Political Labels in the U. S. • Liberal and conservative have always been around; goals have changed – Early con = strong nat gov – Early lib = strong state gov and individual liberties – Mid-1800 s = libs dominate, cons focused in NE • New Deal changed focus to scope of gov – Lib = gov intervention in econ, promote social progress – Con = opposed New Deal programs, believed individuals, families and charities should meet needs, not gov • Another big shift was 1960 s with civil rights movements

Political Efficacy and Participation • Political efficacy – • Factors that influence political beliefs:

Factors Influencing Voting 1. Party identification is biggest predictor of who people will vote for 2. Influenced by appeal – In the past, who has made for most popular candidates? 3. Voters’, and candidates opinions are third most influential – What is traditionally the most important issue? • Running mates, media and debates are least important factors – “lesser of two evils”, but typically stick w/ party – Those who don’t care about issues worry about image and personality

Other influences of turnout • Crisis/war: What causes people to turn out most often? • Age: Who votes most often? • Income: How does this effect • Region: Rural = high and cons but has little national outcome, why? • Electoral power = Think about Texas • Apathy = How does this apply to voting?