Overview

Updated in a new 8th edition, this book goes beyond a simple presentation of data to include a critical analysis of the role of public opinion in American democracy. It provides an in-depth analysis of public opinion, beginning with its origins in political socialization, the impact of the media, the extent and breadth of democratic values, to the role of public opinion in the electoral process. Using the most current survey data from the 2008 elections and the latest literature on the subject, Erikson and Tedin analyze public opinion and its role in the policy and politics of the United States. 

Full Product Details

Author:   Robert S. Erikson ,  Kent L. Tedin
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Inc
Imprint:   Routledge
Edition:   8th edition
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.581kg
ISBN:  

9780205745432

ISBN 10:   0205745431
Pages:   416
Publication Date:   15 July 2010
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Replaced By:   9780133862676
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Tables                                                  Preface                                                                              Credits for Figures and Tables                                                CHAPTER 1    Public Opinion in Democratic Societies                                                  1-1    Public Opinion and Government                                                             1-2    Public Opinion Defined                                                                          1-3    The Evolution of the Public Opinion Poll                                                 1-4    The Modern Public Opinion Poll and Its Political Consequences                           1-5    Sources of Information on Public Opinion                                               1-6    Linkage Models Between Public Opinion and Public Policies                    1-7    Plan of This Book                                                                   CHAPTER 2    Polling: The Scientific Assessment of Public Opinion                               2-1    Sampling                                                                                               2-2    Question Wording                                                                                 2-3    The Misuse of Surveys                                                                           2-4    Interpreting Scientific Surveys                                                                2-5    Conclusion                                                                             CHAPTER 3    Microlevel Opinion: The Psychology of Opinion-Holding                        3-1    Political Attention and Opinion-Holding                                                  3-2    Liberal-Conservative Ideology and the Organization of Opinions                           3-3    Party Identification and the Organization of Political Opinions     CHAPTER 4    Macrolevel Opinion: The Flow of Political Sentiment                              4-1    Trends in Policy Opinions                                                                      4-2    General Ideological Movement                                                               4-3    General Partisan Movement                                                                   4-4    Presidential Approval                                                                             4-5    Conclusion: What Moves Public Opinion?                               CHAPTER 5    Political Socialization and Political Learning                                            5-1    The Preadult Years: Socialization to Citizenship                                      5-2    The Agents of Preadult Socialization                                                       5-3    Political Generations                                                                              5-4    The Persistence of Political Orientations                                                 5-5    Conclusion                                                                             CHAPTER 6    Public Opinion and Democratic Stability                                                 6-1    Support for Democratic Values                                                              6-2    Political Consensus                                                                                6-3    Political Support: Trust and Efficacy                                                       6-4    Personality and Public Opinion                                                               6-5    Conclusion                                                                             CHAPTER 7    Group Differences in Political Opinions                                                   7-1    Socioeconomic Class and Political Opinions                                           7-2    Race and Political Opinions                                                                    7-3    Age and Political Opinions                                                                     7-4    Religion and Political Opinions                                                               7-5    Geography and Political Opinions                                                           7-6    Gender and Political Opinions                                                                7-7    Conclusion                                                                             CHAPTER 8    The Print and Broadcast Media and Political Opinions                            8-1    The Mass Media and Their Political Content                                          8-2    Mass Media Influence on Public Opinion                                                8-3    Television and Election Campaigns                                                         8-4    Conclusion                                                                             CHAPTER 9    Elections as Instruments of Popular Control                                            9-1    Political Campaigns and the Voter                                                          9-2    Policy Issues and Voters                                                                        9-3    Explaining Election Outcomes                                                                9-4    Conclusion                                                                           CHAPTER 10    The Public and Its Elected Representatives                                           10-1    Opinion Sharing Between Policymakers and the Public                         10-2    Leadership Responsiveness to Public Opinion                                      10-3    How Elected Officials Learn Public Opinion                                         10-4    Do Elected Officials Need to Follow Public Opinion?                           10-5    Conclusion                                                                           CHAPTER 11    Parties and Interest Groups: Mediating Institutions and Representation                            11-1    Political Parties and Representation                                                      11-2    Interest Groups and Representation                                       CHAPTER 12    Public Opinion and the Performance of Democracy                              12-1    Assessing the Impact of Public Opinion on Policy                                 12-2    Interpreting the Public’s Role in Democracy                                         12-3    The Expansion of Political Participation                               Appendix         References       Index

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Robert S. Erikson, Columbia University. Kent L. Tedin, University of Houston.

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