Public Opinion and Political Behavior       

A. exploration of the political environment
   1. what type of citizens does it produce?
   2. How is public opinion formed & changed?  What is persuasive?
   3. How can social change occur most effectively?
   4. What is the role/obligation of each citizen operating in this context?

B. Interaction between govt and public

    1. crucial for representative democracy
    2. explore "crisis of representation"
    3. citizen dis-connect/distrust of government  & processes
   
    4. paradox
       a. more expensive, longer, more elaborate campaigns
       b.  more sources of political information available  

D. voting , usually about 50% in presidential election
   1. varies by age group  
   2. under 30, lowest    (23% in 2000, 13% in '02)  
   3. 2004- much higher than normal, 18% voted
   4.2008- 60%
        a. response  to all-out voter mobilization effort
     b. specifically targeting <30 voters    HipHop Summit Action Network       New Voter project      

   4. political knowledge of workings of govt/ candidates very low
       a. what does this mean?
       b. how did/do ppl make voting decisions?

E. Implications are serious:
    1. government works best with responsive, involved electorate
        a. rewards statesmanship, punishes bad decisions
        b. public understands issues & trade-offs involved
  
  2. forces "transparency" of processes and accountability of actions
       a. foundation of trust required
       b. challenged in last election- voter fraud, voter suppression

  3. vanishing mandate for politicians to launch programs
      a. public attention necessary to get govt action
         1. ex. govt corruption legislation, ending earmarks
         2. grassroots groups clamor for pressure

Two conceptions of democracy:

Elite Democracy :  (citizen as 'shareholder")

         1. logical, inevitable occurrence-less involvement
         2.  as govt becomes more technical & arcane, fewer ppl w/ knowledge
         3. wise outcome is better than mass public involvement
         4.  majority of citizens- spectators
             a. get involved only when directly affects them
             b. low turnout = satisfaction w/ status quo

 Participatory Democracy:  (citizen as "stakeholder")
    1. if process isn't representative, outcome not democratic
    2. all viewpoints represented for policy to be legitimate
          a. must represent  consensus
          b. non-involvement sign of discontent  (problem)

    3. only w/ civic involvement will you have civil society
           a. groups & institutions that mediate between ind. & govt
           b. best protection of citizen

   4. w/ participation comes expertise & judgment     

What are causes of  lessening involvement?  (traditional view)

       a. Failure of traditional institutions of socialization
       b. impact of the poor coverage by media
       c.  increase of money in political process
       d. cynicism in culture and breakdown in community

Alternative view:
    a. irrevocable changes in culture and communication technology lead to new ways of acting politically
    b. we need new standards to understand/judge politics

     1. What is public opinion?
       a. how is it measured?
       b. how is it formed?
       c. Can 'public' opinion exist in the absence of a 'public" identity?
   2. Is the public as divided as its presented as being?
      a.   polarized as "red' vs 'bluemap' quiz
      b. Is there the possibility of compromise- or just political opinion war?

  3. what is the impact of the blurring of boundaries between traditionally separate realms?
         a.constitution (1789) implemented in technological, mediated world
         b. breakdown of  traditional divisions

                    --politics/culture
                     --public/private
                    --market/political
                    --entertainment/information  24  ex

4. impact of mediated politics
            
  a. Campaigns
           1. moving away from personally-based parties
           2. differences between persuasion & propaganda  
           3. marketing techniques/polling to produce "candidate", issue positions
            
  b.  ex. inauguration-  (political Theatre)
             1. ritualized, wedding ceremony
             2. everything scripted, "impression management"

 5. political movements much more merged w/ popular cultural forms than before
        a. impact of documentaries on political discourse  con  
        b. importance of symbolismbr   Detroit Projects ads  
       c. creates narrative understanding over objective logic
         1. often deteriorates into propaganda
         2. spin and style dominate over substance

     d. most geared towards voters under 30  satire
       1. impact of Jon Stewart/Colbert -primary source of political news for <30  cc
            2. Sarah Palin, Tina fey  clip

  6.  What methods of acting politically are most effective in current context?

     1. de-centralization of internet  creates new democratic forms
           a. alternative source of info
           b. useful  in organizing citizen movements- campaigns
               1. MoveOn  primary unique "net roots"
               2.  2004 first internet run campaign season  meet-up
               3. 2008, first "youtube" election, facebook, blogs

    2. challenge to traditional institutions
        a. bypass political parties
           1. more third party movements, "third way"
           2. pressure to challenge parties from outside
           3. more challenges of objectivity of mainstream media, FOX vs CNN  

  3. Implications:
     a. recognize need for new kind of political literacy   spin
     b. new kind of political action
     c. must use the power of symbolism & popular culture     Granny D

 4. expanded definition of the political beyond traditional ways