1	"PUBLIC OPINION" PUBLIC OPINION
2	Questions When can you first remember thinking t hat your were a Democrat or Republican? What are characteristics of each party?
3	Vietnam War and the Public U.S. fought communists in Vietnam American public knew little about the guerilla war People willing to go along when told that action needed for Containment of communist
4	Gulf of Tonkin Incident 1964 – LBJ announced that North Vietnamese PT boats had attacked U.S. ships Tonkin Gulf Resolution - President to take “all necessary measures
5	Antiwar Sentiment Tet offensive President Johnson announced that he would limit the bombing of North Vietnam / seek negotiated settlement Withdrew from election
6	Nixon Elected in 1968 By 1969 – Most Americans favored reducing troops in Vietnam Peace agreement signed in 1973
7	About Public Opinion Government officials sometimes manipulate public opinion Press influences public opinion
8	Public Opinion Public opinion - political attitudes of ordinary citizens Public opinion - part of democratic government Abraham Lincoln - democracy is “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”
9	Public Opinion Trustworthy? Doubts about quality of public opinion Public ignorance, lack of interest in politics
10	What People Know About Politics Gauging what people think Early attempts to determine public opinion did not work Media voices not representative of whole public
11	Development of Modern Surveys Opinion polls – Have become more accurate Scientific polling techniques became believable after rocky start
12	Individuals’ Ignorance Most Americans know little about politics Public opinion is relevant even if public knows little
13	Collective Knowledge Americans’ beliefs / policy preferences change little over time
14	Dissatisfaction With Government Presidential popularity fluctuates more than party loyalties Evaluations of Congress not surveyed as regularly as president / but Congress often even more unpopular
15	Party Loyalty / Party Decline Party identification - sense of belonging to a party
16	Basic Values and Beliefs Basic values are more fundamental than opinions There is consensus about basic values Freedom Capitalism Equality Democracy
17	Trends Trends concerning civil rights and civil liberties Public opinion changes often / rapidly
18	Sources of Political Attitudes Political socialization - learned behavior about politics (Saluting the American flag / standing when national anthem is played) Process begins when a person is very young
19	Agents of Political Socialization Family Schools Workplace and home Events Economic and social structure
20	Regional Differences Region — substantially different Social class — less political conflict among people of different incomes than in rest of world
21	Major Decision Factors Educational - strongest predictor Income level – Also strong Gender – not much difference Age — young and old differ on certain matters such as the draft in wartime or the drinking age