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