american gov and politics chapter 8 on public opinion
complicating factors that go into democratic theory
1. the us is not a pure or direct democracy 2. the nature of public opinon- is it cause or effect?
socialization
All the ways that people acquire attitudes, values, beliefs, and orientations. Agents of socialization include family, friends, teachers, etc
The trustee Model
Allows gov officials more freedom of choice to decide what is in the public interest
the nature of public opinions
life experiences education geography race and ethnicity gender the media the government
biases in polling
Nonresponse bias Response bias Question wording Coverage bias
The delegate model
Public opinion is the principal source of government legitimacy because government power is properly exercised when it is based on public opinion. strong linkage between public opinion and public policy
the marketplace of ideas
The political marketplace of ideas refers to the ability to pick and choose from among the competing ideologies and parties the way that consumers are able to pick and choose from sellers of goods and services.
democratic theory
assumes that public opinions drive the political machine
pluralists
Argue that supporters or modern democracy and say that it works the way it's supposed to
polling
First known opinion poll was conducted by the Harrisburg Pennsylvanian in 1824 and showed andrew jackson leading quincey adams in the race for president. It has changed from TAKING the pulse of democracy to MAKING the pulse of democracy
the founders intentions
Founders created a republic where the public selects individuals to represent their interest and were afraid of majority rule
is public opinion a cause or effect?
rhetoric dynamic the marketplace of ideas nurture
public opinion
the aggregate of public attitudes or beliefs about government or politics