The Rational Public

The Rational Public PDF Author: Benjamin I. Page
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226644804
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 507

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Book Description
This monumental study is a comprehensive critical survey of the policy preferences of the American public, and will be the definitive work on American public opinion for some time to come. Drawing on an enormous body of public opinion data, Benjamin I. Page and Robert Y. Shapiro provide the richest available portrait of the political views of Americans, from the 1930's to 1990. They not only cover all types of domestic and foreign policy issues, but also consider how opinions vary by age, gender, race, region, and the like. The authors unequivocally demonstrate that, notwithstanding fluctuations in the opinions of individuals, collective public opinion is remarkably coherent: it reflects a stable system of values shared by the majority of Americans and it responds sensitively to new events, arguments, and information reported in the mass media. While documenting some alarming case of manipulation, Page and Shapiro solidly establish the soundness and value of collective political opinion. The Rational Public provides a wealth of information about what we as a nation have wanted from government, how we have changed our minds over the years, and why. For anyone interested in the short- and long-term trends in Americans' policy preferences, or eager to learn what Americans have thought about issues ranging from racial equality to the MX missile, welfare to abortion, this book offers by far the most sophisticated and detailed treatment available.

American National Election Studies Data Sourcebook, 1952-1986

American National Election Studies Data Sourcebook, 1952-1986 PDF Author: Warren Edward Miller
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 9780674026360
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 396

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Book Description
Who votes in national elections? What are their preferences on issues? How important is their party identification? How does their demographic profile change over time? Reflecting an unbroken record of eighteen studies of voter behavior conducted biennially since 1952, this volume presents data on hundreds of elements influencing voters that will interest political scientists, journalists, consultants, and students of political history. The information was obtained from face-to-face interviews with national full probability samples of all citizens of voting age, as part of the University of Michigan/National Election Studies conducted by the Center for Political Studies. The data provide both an unrivaled occasion to gain a deeper understanding of congressional and presidential elections, and a basis for making or challenging broad generalizations about American politics since World War II. Major sections include personal characteristics (age, education, gender, religion, occupation, income, union membership, urbanism, race/ ethnicity); partisanship (party identification, open-ended evaluations of parties and candidates); issues (ideological self-placement, issue preferences, perceptions of economic conditions); candidate traits; thermometer ratings of individuals and groups; voter preferences; media exposure; and voter turnout and political participation. The editors present these attributes in terms of stability and change and the sequence in which the various elements acquire relevance for the voter's choice. The book is organized to give time-series distributions of data from all items included on three or more studies during the thirty-four years covered, and presents first-level analyses through a logically structured series of bivariate tables. It is the only book to include the basic data from National Election Studies.

The Illusion of a Conservative Reagan Revolution

The Illusion of a Conservative Reagan Revolution PDF Author: Larry M. Schwab
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351481053
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 370

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Book Description
This book presents a provocative perspective on the impact of the Reagan administration. Many political commentators, both liberal and conservative, argue that the 1980s was a period of fundamental conservative change. Some of them believe the changes have been so important that the 1980s should be seen as a watershed period in American political history as significant as the 1930s. Schwab denies this thesis and points out that politics and policy did not fundamentally change in a conservative direction. Instead, he demonstrates how policy developments and the political system actually moved in the opposite direction. In the realm of public opinion, Schwab points out that sentiment tends to shift toward the left rather than the right. Support for social and environmental programs remained high and even increased during the Reagan era, whereas support for defense programs dropped to a near-record low. Instead of a New Right conservative shift in public opinion on social issues, Americans became more liberal on women's rights, minority rights, and sexual behavior issues. Schwab's critique extends as well to Reagan's political success and popularity. Rather than being one of the most successful presidents in leading Congress, he was one of the least successful. His conservative ideology lessened support for him among many voters and congressional liberals gained more voter support during the 1980s' elections than conservatives.

Continuity Guide to the American National Election Studies, 1952-1986

Continuity Guide to the American National Election Studies, 1952-1986 PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Elections
Languages : en
Pages : 308

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Book Description


Elections at Home and Abroad

Elections at Home and Abroad PDF Author: M. Kent Jennings
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
ISBN: 9780472104925
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 350

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Book Description
A comprehensive examination of current issues in voting studies

The Rational Public

The Rational Public PDF Author: Benjamin I. Page
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226644804
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 507

Get Book Here

Book Description
This monumental study is a comprehensive critical survey of the policy preferences of the American public, and will be the definitive work on American public opinion for some time to come. Drawing on an enormous body of public opinion data, Benjamin I. Page and Robert Y. Shapiro provide the richest available portrait of the political views of Americans, from the 1930's to 1990. They not only cover all types of domestic and foreign policy issues, but also consider how opinions vary by age, gender, race, region, and the like. The authors unequivocally demonstrate that, notwithstanding fluctuations in the opinions of individuals, collective public opinion is remarkably coherent: it reflects a stable system of values shared by the majority of Americans and it responds sensitively to new events, arguments, and information reported in the mass media. While documenting some alarming case of manipulation, Page and Shapiro solidly establish the soundness and value of collective political opinion. The Rational Public provides a wealth of information about what we as a nation have wanted from government, how we have changed our minds over the years, and why. For anyone interested in the short- and long-term trends in Americans' policy preferences, or eager to learn what Americans have thought about issues ranging from racial equality to the MX missile, welfare to abortion, this book offers by far the most sophisticated and detailed treatment available.

Young v. Old

Young v. Old PDF Author: Susan A. MacManus
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429971478
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
Arguing that an inter-generational war is brewing in the United States, this book paints a picture of the "ageing of America" and what it means for politics and policy questions, including social security, health care, crime, jobs, social welfare, defence and foreign affairs. Differences between older and younger citizens are examined in the light of voting and registration patterns, ideological and party preferences, and varieties of political activism. Contemporary media and new technologies are highlighted as sources of disparities and bridges between the generations - how they "watch politics", how they prefer to solve social problems, and how inter-generational understanding may be improved through communication and education.

Elitism, Populism, and European Politics

Elitism, Populism, and European Politics PDF Author: Jack Hayward
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191521108
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description
In the 1990s there has been an increasingly widespread sense that the governing elites are losing touch with their peoples. leaders are no longer able to count upon the acquiescence of their citizens to which they were accustomed. The disenchantment has resulted in the loss of public support for the political institutions of both the individual European nation states and of the European Union. Taking elitism and populism as the opposite poles between which the political leaders need to steer, the contributors successively consider why there appears to have been a degeneration in the quality of elite leaders, with civil societies turning against their governments and the elite mediators between the powerless and the powerful. The agenda-setting role of the media, the rival appeals to representation and referendum, the problems encountered by political parties and organised interests, and the tensions between public demand and economic constraints are all discussed. The chapters suggest that the need to lead from the front rather than from behind remains indispensable in elitist democracies.

Political Protest and Social Change

Political Protest and Social Change PDF Author: Charles F. Andrain
Publisher: NYU Press
ISBN: 0814706304
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 403

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Book Description
Analyzes the reciprocal impact of cultural beliefs, sociopolitical structures, and individual behaviors on protests throughout the world, examining such questions as why people participate in protest activities, what compels them to participate in non- violent movements, and what leads them to engage in revolutionary protest. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Political Protest and Social Change

Political Protest and Social Change PDF Author: C. Andrain
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 0230377009
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 394

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Book Description
This book probes three issues about the linkage between political protests and social change. First, why do individuals participate in protest activities, including nonviolent movements and revolutions? How do cultural beliefs, sociopolitical structures, personal attitudes, motives and perceptions shape the decision to participate? Second, why do participants choose certain tactics? Protesters use different types of tactics: violent vs. nonviolent, public vs. covert, organized vs. spontaneous and confrontation vs. accommodation with other groups, political parties, and government agencies. Most activists view a particular tactic as a useful means to attain their policy demands. Third, what policy consequences emerge from the activities of protest movements? The book explores the impact of protests on social change and on the distribution of political power, particularly greater access of subordinate groups to government policymakers. A theory of political opportunities helps explain these issues about the origins, activities, and outcomes of protests.

Statistical Abstract of the United States

Statistical Abstract of the United States PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : United States
Languages : en
Pages : 1032

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Book Description