POL_SC 1100 Study Guide - Rotten And Pocket Boroughs, Bill Brock, Michael Munger
Document Summary
In preparing for the second midterm examination (which will be given in class on monday, Public opinion is what we believe and it"s important in a democratic country. The founders wanted to limit the impact of public opinion on policy because they didn"t think the masses always knew what was good. Hamilton: vices of democracy, people are turbulent and rarely choose what is right. Madison: worried about what the public would do. Founders created a republic, didn"t want us making decisions. Most interested in fulfilling preamble: sociotropic view: general welfare of community, long term view. Placed numerous checks on public opinion: staggered elections, super majorities, bill of rights. Opinions come from family: what your mommy and daddy believe, you"re likely to also believe. Reference groups like churches affect opinions: jews have high ses (socioeconomic status) and are liberal, catholics have low ses, socially conservative and economically liberal, Protestants are the dominant tradition and are conservative.
