Question

slide # 93 reading questions for chapter four

1. what are the elements that the book identifies with our political culture? what is the difference between a political culture and a political ideology?
2. what is the difference between equality of opportunity and equality of results?
3. be familiar with the differences between american political culture and other countries’ political cultures? (when i say “be familiar” with something in a question – you don’t have to write anything, just understand the concepts. if you want you may take notes) skim through the section on the “sources of political culture” and be familiar with what those sources are.
4. summarize (you can use bullet points) what the book says about the “culture war” in america.
5. what is the difference between internal and external efficacy? look at figure 4.2 on p. 88 and decide if you agree or disagree with these statements.

reading questions for chapter seven

1. what was the founders’ attitude towards public opinion? give examples of how we see that attitude reflected in how they wrote the constitution.
2. identify three problems in assessing public opinion.
3. the book gives four factors that affect political attitudes. identify those four factors and summarize the conclusions about how those factors affect people’s political attitudes. memorize this list.
4. the book discusses cleavages which may divide various demographic groups ideologically. the authors give three factors that divide people’s political beliefs. identify those three factors and summarize the conclusions about the correlation between these factors and people’s political opinions. memorize this.
5. what were the meanings of the words “liberal” and “conservative” in the 19th century and how did these meanings change in the 20th century?
6. summarize the four ideological labels the authors describe on pp. 163 - 167. feel free to use a chart or bullet points for your summary.

7 what are the two reasons the book gives why activists or the political elite tend to have more ideological consistency than those who aren’t active? what effect does this ideological consistency have on the difference ideologically between politicians and voters?
8 how do elites influence public opinion? what are the limits to their ability to shape public opinion?

Explanation:

1. Political culture elements vary by book but may include values, beliefs, and attitudes. Political culture is a broader set of shared values and norms, while ideology is a more systematic set of political - related beliefs.
2. Equality of opportunity ensures everyone has the same starting point and access to resources, while equality of results aims for similar end - outcomes for all.
3. American political culture has unique aspects like individualism and a strong emphasis on democracy compared to other countries. Sources of political culture can include history, religion, and social institutions.
4. The "culture war" in America often refers to deep - seated divisions over values such as religion, social issues, and politics.
5. Internal efficacy is the belief in one's own political competence, while external efficacy is the belief that the political system will respond to the people.

For Chapter Seven:

1. The Founders had a complex view of public opinion, often fearing its volatility, which was reflected in features of the Constitution like the Electoral College.
2. Problems in assessing public opinion include sampling errors, question - wording effects, and non - response bias.
3. Factors affecting political attitudes can include education, family, media, and social groups.
4. Cleavages that divide political beliefs can be based on race, class, and religion.
5. In the 19th century, "liberal" often meant support for free markets and individual liberties, while "conservative" was more about maintaining traditional social and political order. In the 20th century, these meanings evolved with the rise of new social and economic issues.
6. Four ideological labels could be liberal, conservative, libertarian, and socialist, each with distinct views on government size, economic policies, and social issues.
7. Activists and political elites may have more ideological consistency due to their greater engagement and ideological self - selection. This can widen the ideological gap between them and non - active citizens and influence public opinion, but their ability is limited by public resistance and competing interests.
8. Elites can influence public opinion through media, campaigns, and policy proposals, but are limited by public skepticism and the diversity of public views.

Answer:

1. Political culture elements vary; political culture is broader than ideology.
2. Equality of opportunity is about starting points, equality of results about end - outcomes.
3. American political culture has unique aspects; sources include history etc.
4. The "culture war" involves value - based divisions.
5. Internal is self - competence belief, external is system - response belief.

For Chapter Seven:

1. Founders had complex view, seen in Constitution features.
2. Sampling errors, question - wording effects, non - response bias.
3. Education, family, media, social groups.
4. Race, class, religion.
5. 19th - century meanings and 20th - century evolutions.
6. Liberal, conservative, libertarian, socialist with distinct views.
7. More consistency due to engagement; affects public opinion with limitations.
8. Through media etc., limited by public skepticism.