Chapter 10, 11, and 6 Notes
10.1 Public Opinion
Public opinion: a mechanism that quantifies the various opinions held by the population or by subgroups of the population at a particular point in time
The Relationship between Public Opinion and Public Policy
Public opinion should either= a great amount of involvement or a very little
Elitism: the idea that a select few – better educated, more informed, more interested – should have more influence on government
Historical Views: Founders diminished the connection between the broad public and the government; didn’t care about women or blacks, said they had no political power
Saw the government as our guardian protecting us from ourselves
Contemporary Considerations
Pluralism: idea that citizens should be informed and should participate in democratic decision making to ensure the health and vitality of the system
Public participation is the basis for a healthy democracy
Public polls are an example of pluralism
Pluralism does not have an effect on gun control laws but it does on drug regulations
The Relationship between Public Opinion and Fundamental Laws
Personal liberties: broad agreement is the protection of personal liberties. “from” and “to” liberties allow us to be protected from things and be allowed to do things
Individualism: an idea that citizens are able to take care of themselves with limited government assistance individual interests win out over community interests
Equality
Equality of opportunity: idea that each person should have a chance at success
Equality of outcome: using government to ensure equality; government must work to diminish differences between individuals in society so that everyone is equal
Equal Pay Act of 1963 required employers to pay men the same as they pay women
10.2 Stability of Political Beliefs
Political Culture: the norms, customs, and beliefs that help citizens understand appropriate ways to act in a political system; also shared attitudes of how the government should operate
Shifts
Public opinion: a mechanism that quantifies the various opinions held by the population or by subgroups of the population at a particular point in time
The Relationship between Public Opinion and Public Policy
Public opinion should either= a great amount of involvement or a very little
Elitism: the idea that a select few – better educated, more informed, more interested – should have more influence on government
Historical Views: Founders diminished the connection between the broad public and the government; didn’t care about women or blacks, said they had no political power
Saw the government as our guardian protecting us from ourselves
Contemporary Considerations
Pluralism: idea that citizens should be informed and should participate in democratic decision making to ensure the health and vitality of the system
Public participation is the basis for a healthy democracy
Public polls are an example of pluralism
Pluralism does not have an effect on gun control laws but it does on drug regulations
The Relationship between Public Opinion and Fundamental Laws
Personal liberties: broad agreement is the protection of personal liberties. “from” and “to” liberties allow us to be protected from things and be allowed to do things
Individualism: an idea that citizens are able to take care of themselves with limited government assistance individual interests win out over community interests
Equality
Equality of opportunity: idea that each person should have a chance at success
Equality of outcome: using government to ensure equality; government must work to diminish differences between individuals in society so that everyone is equal
Equal Pay Act of 1963 required employers to pay men the same as they pay women
10.2 Stability of Political Beliefs
Political Culture: the norms, customs, and beliefs that help citizens understand appropriate ways to act in a political system; also shared attitudes of how the government should operate
Shifts