What factors account for our political

beliefs and the extent to which we

participate in politics?

Political Culture
an overall set of values widely shared within a society that shapes political behavior.
It includes moral judgments, political myths, beliefs and ideas about what makes for
a good society.
Aspects of American political culture:
Mistrust of Government
--limited government
--laissez-faire (free market)
Work Ethic
Belief in God (but sep. of church and state)
Patriotism

What do we agree on?

Americans support for fundamental values

Equality of Opportunity

Liberty

Democracy

95% of Americans
agreed:

89% of Americans
agreed:

95% of Americans
agreed:

Our society should do

whatever is necessary
to make sure that
everyone has an equal
opportunity to
succeed.

I believe in free
speech for all no
matter what their
views might be.

Public officials should

be chosen by majority
vote.

*From American National Election Studies

How does political

socialization occur?

Family as an agent of political socialization

Perhaps the most important agent of political

socialization
Instills partisanship (political bias/favoratism for a
particular party/ideology) and long-term attitudes about
government (ie. is it the solution or the problem?)
Role models
filter information
shape political opinions and biases

Schools/education as agents of political socialization

Much of early childhood education is instills nationalism

(even high school - ie. Pledge of Allegiance)

How and what is taught at schools is influential

- ie. school board attempts to shape curriculum for
political purposes (ie. weakening the teaching of
evolution; calling slaves workers, (ie. the recent
incident in Georgia), removing textbook mentions of the
concept of separation between church and state

Also, level of education affects voting behavior (the

more education, the higher voter turnout)

media as agents of political socialization

media provides political information to the masses

interpret events and policies
set the national agenda
provide a forum for political conversations
socialize children to the political culture

(see more on media influence later)

Daily Show clip on political socialization, politicized
childrens books:
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/am0s4x/the-daily-show-withjon-stewart-one-state--two-state

Demographic factors influencing political ideology

MORE LIKELY TO BE
REPUBLICAN (right):

older
males
white
fundamentalist
Christians*
higher social
class/economic status*

MORE LIKELY TO BE DEMOCRAT

(left):

younger
women
ethnic/racial minorities
working class*
non-Christians*

*Religion and social class are no longer so predictable as determining

factors indicating political ideology.

Who Votes??? (and who doesnt?)

Demographic factors
associated with voter
turnout/political
participation

factors that may explain lower voter turnout

Distrust of government/lack
of confidence in the
political system/process
Lack of political knowledge
-

More Americans known their astrological

sign than who their Congressperson is
11% of young Americans cant find the
US on a map
only 17% could accurately place
Afghanistan on a map after 9/11

Why is relatively low voter turnout problematic?

Debates and outcomes would likely be substantially

different if people of all age groups and income levels
participated equally

ie. if young people participated, more politicians might

have incentive to find ways by which government could help
young people get the training necessary to get good jobs
ie. if more lower income Americans participated, perhaps
more programs to alleviate/address poverty would be
implemented

Why young people say they dont vote: