BIOL 1001 Chapter : Ch 9 Page 3 Filled Out
Document Summary
Public opinion is the broad term that is used to describe the values, ideological perspectives, and attitudes held by individuals about issues, events, people, and institutions. Political values are "central and enduring predispositions" that "reflect abstract, prescriptive beliefs about humanity, society, and public affairs" (goren 2005). A set of values might include equal opportunity, liberty, limited government, traditional family values, moral tolerance, consent of the governed. For some values, there is near-consensus within the population (for example, most people would say that the values of "equal opportunity" or "tolerance" are important); for others (such as limited government) there may be more debate. Likewise, values tend to be much more persistent--individuals are more likely to change their mind about specific issues than about the fundamental values that they hold. Alexis de tocqueville travelled throughout the united states during the early 19th century, and his observations of the young nation were captured n democracy in america.
