Essential Questions
1. How are political beliefs formed?
-People acquire their opinions through political socialization. Most people are exposed to the same sources of influence such as family, school, community, peers and the media. The extent of beliefs depends on the exposure and receptivity of the citizen.
2. How do political beliefs evolve?
-As political socialization continues through life citizens develop a greater importance in promoting political awareness and developing political opinions.
3. Know the process by which political beliefs are transmitted.
-Media is the main way politics are transmitted but also through neighborhood and community interactions, those who surround you have the greatest impact on your beliefs.
4. Know why US citizens hold certain beliefs about politics?
-Each individual experiences a unique process of political socialization and forms a unique set of political values. But people with similar backgrounds experience similar experiences. Many factors contribute to the diversity of beliefs, factors such as education, income, region, race and ethnicity, religion and gender. For example women are more likely to favor government actions to promote equality. These factors contribute to citizens socioeconomic status, which politicians are well aware of.
5. How do families, schools, and the media act to perpetuate or change
political beliefs?
Families: You always have family around you and they are the ones who raise you so they tend to play a big role in your beliefs because that is where it all starts from. It is possible to sway away from their beliefs but most of the time it will stay similar.
School: Schools too play a large role in beliefs because that is where you first start learning about politics and government. And from there you start to form your own beliefs.
Media: Media is very powerful because politicians take advantage of it first of all for themselves to show what they are about and why you should vote for them but also to most the time exploit their opponent to show you why you shouldn't vote for the other party. Media is a faster way to get information around and it can also be indirect like leaking a story to see what people will have to say about it.
6. Understand the ways in which political culture affects and informs political participation.
The most popular way nowadays to get information out is through media. News media provides free exposure so that is a politicians favorite use of media. But also through apps and the internet which are very convenient for the people running they can easily start a website and tell everyone what they are all about. There is a also commercials on television which have to be paid for but most time they will argue it is worth it.
7. Understand why individuals engage in various forms of political participation and how that participation may
affect the political system.
-Individuals engage in the political system because of the self-interest principle which states that people choose what benefits them personally. For instance tax payers prefer lower taxes and smokers appose bans on smoking in public. Different types of participation include conventional participation which is relatively routine like campaigning for candidates and voting in elections and unconventional participation which defies established institutions or the dominant culture. These motivations greatly effect the system as a whole in that they generally control the entire system. Unconventional participation goes as far back as the Boston Tea Party which regulated taxes on imports, this exemplifies how much of an impact the people have.
8. What leads citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs and behaviors and the political
consequences of these differences? (should focus on the demographic features of the American population
and the different views that people hold of the political process)
There are so many different demographics in the US we consist of one of the very diverse nations that can almost please everyone in one way or another.
One of our demographics is education for example and it plays a big role in voting. The higher educated tend to favor freedom over equality but the tolerate unpopular opinions and behavior. They are more likely to vote against government handout because they most likely have money and will be the ones offering up this money. Different demographics lead to such different beliefs and socioeconomic statuses.
9. What are the group differences in political beliefs and behavior?
Sharp differences emerge from all different groups of socioeconomic statuses. Education increases people's awareness of political issues. Higher education promotes tolerance of unpopular opinions, and because they tend to be wealthier they realize it is unrealistic to expect the government help all needy. Income follows similar opinions as education where both groups favor their freedom. Early in our country's history, regional differences were politically important, the south was almost completely democratic but now majority of southern congress men are now republican. People of different race and ethnicity have differed with respect to political values and opportunities. Today African Americans are more likely to support the Democratic Party. Religiosity has a powerful influence on attitudes about social order many different religions have very different views on government development. Gender plays a big role on political behavior , men and women have very different beliefs and women tend to identify with the Democratic Party.
10. How do changes in political participation affect the political system?
The political system greatly depends on participation by the citizens, without them and their participation we would not have a democratic government. It is the citizens responsibility to vote and pay taxes and know their roles. Without these active citizens the representatives would be unaware of what the constituents want.
11. What role is played by party organizations, PACs, and money generally in campaigns?
Specialists developed an analytical framework that emphasizes the political context of the campaign and the financial resources available for conducting the campaign. Campaigns are very important, it is easier to get elected when a party matches the electors' preference in part because raising the money needed to conduct a winning campaign is easier. However, the law imposed limits on contributions by individuals and organizations to campaigns for federal office.
12. What roles do the groups listed above play in the electoral process?
Campaign managers and workers provide information on the politician which is crucial to the to the winning of his election. They support the person running by finding donors and also swaying the voters who are unsure. Money is usually donated by strong supporters who are confident the politician will win. These donors are the life of the campaign.
-People acquire their opinions through political socialization. Most people are exposed to the same sources of influence such as family, school, community, peers and the media. The extent of beliefs depends on the exposure and receptivity of the citizen.
2. How do political beliefs evolve?
-As political socialization continues through life citizens develop a greater importance in promoting political awareness and developing political opinions.
3. Know the process by which political beliefs are transmitted.
-Media is the main way politics are transmitted but also through neighborhood and community interactions, those who surround you have the greatest impact on your beliefs.
4. Know why US citizens hold certain beliefs about politics?
-Each individual experiences a unique process of political socialization and forms a unique set of political values. But people with similar backgrounds experience similar experiences. Many factors contribute to the diversity of beliefs, factors such as education, income, region, race and ethnicity, religion and gender. For example women are more likely to favor government actions to promote equality. These factors contribute to citizens socioeconomic status, which politicians are well aware of.
5. How do families, schools, and the media act to perpetuate or change
political beliefs?
Families: You always have family around you and they are the ones who raise you so they tend to play a big role in your beliefs because that is where it all starts from. It is possible to sway away from their beliefs but most of the time it will stay similar.
School: Schools too play a large role in beliefs because that is where you first start learning about politics and government. And from there you start to form your own beliefs.
Media: Media is very powerful because politicians take advantage of it first of all for themselves to show what they are about and why you should vote for them but also to most the time exploit their opponent to show you why you shouldn't vote for the other party. Media is a faster way to get information around and it can also be indirect like leaking a story to see what people will have to say about it.
6. Understand the ways in which political culture affects and informs political participation.
The most popular way nowadays to get information out is through media. News media provides free exposure so that is a politicians favorite use of media. But also through apps and the internet which are very convenient for the people running they can easily start a website and tell everyone what they are all about. There is a also commercials on television which have to be paid for but most time they will argue it is worth it.
7. Understand why individuals engage in various forms of political participation and how that participation may
affect the political system.
-Individuals engage in the political system because of the self-interest principle which states that people choose what benefits them personally. For instance tax payers prefer lower taxes and smokers appose bans on smoking in public. Different types of participation include conventional participation which is relatively routine like campaigning for candidates and voting in elections and unconventional participation which defies established institutions or the dominant culture. These motivations greatly effect the system as a whole in that they generally control the entire system. Unconventional participation goes as far back as the Boston Tea Party which regulated taxes on imports, this exemplifies how much of an impact the people have.
8. What leads citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs and behaviors and the political
consequences of these differences? (should focus on the demographic features of the American population
and the different views that people hold of the political process)
There are so many different demographics in the US we consist of one of the very diverse nations that can almost please everyone in one way or another.
One of our demographics is education for example and it plays a big role in voting. The higher educated tend to favor freedom over equality but the tolerate unpopular opinions and behavior. They are more likely to vote against government handout because they most likely have money and will be the ones offering up this money. Different demographics lead to such different beliefs and socioeconomic statuses.
9. What are the group differences in political beliefs and behavior?
Sharp differences emerge from all different groups of socioeconomic statuses. Education increases people's awareness of political issues. Higher education promotes tolerance of unpopular opinions, and because they tend to be wealthier they realize it is unrealistic to expect the government help all needy. Income follows similar opinions as education where both groups favor their freedom. Early in our country's history, regional differences were politically important, the south was almost completely democratic but now majority of southern congress men are now republican. People of different race and ethnicity have differed with respect to political values and opportunities. Today African Americans are more likely to support the Democratic Party. Religiosity has a powerful influence on attitudes about social order many different religions have very different views on government development. Gender plays a big role on political behavior , men and women have very different beliefs and women tend to identify with the Democratic Party.
10. How do changes in political participation affect the political system?
The political system greatly depends on participation by the citizens, without them and their participation we would not have a democratic government. It is the citizens responsibility to vote and pay taxes and know their roles. Without these active citizens the representatives would be unaware of what the constituents want.
11. What role is played by party organizations, PACs, and money generally in campaigns?
Specialists developed an analytical framework that emphasizes the political context of the campaign and the financial resources available for conducting the campaign. Campaigns are very important, it is easier to get elected when a party matches the electors' preference in part because raising the money needed to conduct a winning campaign is easier. However, the law imposed limits on contributions by individuals and organizations to campaigns for federal office.
12. What roles do the groups listed above play in the electoral process?
Campaign managers and workers provide information on the politician which is crucial to the to the winning of his election. They support the person running by finding donors and also swaying the voters who are unsure. Money is usually donated by strong supporters who are confident the politician will win. These donors are the life of the campaign.