POLI 2052 Chapter : Chapter Three Notes Public Opinion
Document Summary
Public opinion is the term used to describe the values and attitudes that people have about issues, events, and personalities in politics. Tend to be pretty consistent and relatively unchanging over time. (freedom, the right to vote, equal opportunity, democracy) Ideology: a person"s complex set of beliefs that, as a whole, form a general philosophy about government. (may change over the years) Liberal: more government regulation in the economy, less government regulation in social issues. Conservative: more govt. regulation in social issues; less regulation of economy. Libertarian: constitutionalists, emphasis on bill of rights and limited government. Most people are not 100% liberal or conservative. People use the terms differently as well (candidates), no uniform definition. Attitudes: a specific view about a particular issue, person, or event. (often changed) about. Political culture: identifiable ideology/values/political traditions that might be associated with a particular region or state.
