4.1 American Attitudes About Government and Politics

• What does public opinion refer to in a democracy?

  Collective attitudes and beliefs
• Public opinion influences policy decisions in a democracy.
• Trust in government refers to the public's belief that the government will act in their best interests
• What does political efficacy measure?

  Influence on political outcomes
• What is partisan polarization?

  Division between Democrats and Republicans
• Extreme partisan views hinder bipartisan cooperation on climate change policies
• Public opinion is closely related to American attitudes toward government.
• Order the sources of American political beliefs from most influential to least influential.

  1️⃣ Family

  2️⃣ Education

  3️⃣ Media

  4️⃣ Social Groups
• Match the source of political beliefs with its influence:

  Family ↔️ Early exposure to political values

  Education ↔️ Teaching civic values

  Media ↔️ Exposure to diverse viewpoints

  Social Groups ↔️ Reinforcing or challenging beliefs
• What is the role of ideology in shaping American attitudes?

  Influences views on government
• Liberalism emphasizes individual freedom, social equality, and government intervention in the economy
• Conservatism focuses on limited government intervention and individual responsibility.
• What are some key issues influenced by ideology?

  Government spending and social policies
• What is the term for a set of beliefs and ideas that shape individuals' views on government and politics?

  Ideology
• Liberalism emphasizes individual freedom, social equality, and government intervention in the economy
• Conservatism supports tradition and limited government intervention.
• Match the ideology with its key principles:

  Liberalism ↔️ Individual freedom, social equality

  Conservatism ↔️ Tradition, limited government
• How do conservatives typically view healthcare reform?

  Oppose it
• Match the source of political belief with its influence:

  Family ↔️ Early political values

  Education ↔️ Civic values and critical thinking

  Media ↔️ Diverse viewpoints on issues

  Social Groups ↔️ Reinforcement or challenge of beliefs
• Public opinion and political attitudes are closely related.
• News and social media expose individuals to diverse viewpoints
• Early exposure to political values in the family shapes fundamental beliefs.
• Schools teach civic values and critical thinking skills
• Social groups can reinforce or challenge existing political beliefs.
• Key ideologies include liberalism and conservatism
• Liberalism emphasizes individual freedom and social equality.
• Conservatism focuses on tradition, limited government intervention, and individual responsibility
• Match the ideology with its key emphasis:

  Liberalism ↔️ Social equality

  Conservatism ↔️ Individual responsibility
• Liberals often support healthcare reform, while conservatives oppose it.
• Political socialization is the process by which individuals develop their political attitudes and beliefs
• Family is a primary agent of political socialization.
• The media exposes individuals to diverse political viewpoints
• Social groups can reinforce or challenge existing political beliefs.
• In a democracy, public opinion influences policy decisions
• Public opinion holds elected officials accountable in a democracy.
• Public opinion refers to the collective attitudes and beliefs of citizens on matters of public concern
• In a democracy, public opinion is crucial as it influences policy decisions and holds elected officials accountable.
• What is an example of an issue where public opinion can shape legislative priorities?

  Healthcare reform
• American attitudes toward government and politics are influenced by the public's trust
• The Watergate scandal is an example of an event that eroded public trust in government.