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4: Public Opinion in California

  • Page ID
    179224

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    • 4.1: Introduction
      This page discusses the complexities of public opinion in a constitutional democracy, focusing on the balance between public involvement and government protection against potential mob rule.
    • 4.2: What should be the role of public opinion in the political system?
      The page presents five perspectives addressing the influence of public opinion on government.
    • 4.3: How to Study Public Opinion
      Understanding public opinion, especially in diverse populations like California, involves navigating challenges such as truthfulness and intensity of beliefs. In the post-World War II era, political scientists have developed scientific survey strategies.
    • 4.4: Characterizing Contemporary Public Opinion in California
      Polls reveal Californians' views on several key issues. For example, there is strong support for the Affordable Care Act and LGBT rights and overwhelming support for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Politically, Californians are mostly middle-of-the-road, with the majority identifying as Democrats.
    • 4.5: Explaining Public Opinion
      The page discusses the origins of public opinion, emphasizing the role of political socialization through family, friends, and media in shaping political views. It explores self-interest as a driver of opinions, with a focus on group benefits. The text highlights the role of political psychology, which examines how individuals organize and evaluate political information.
    • 4.6: Summary
      This page summarizes the chapter.
    • 4.7: Works Cited
      This page provides the references for the chapter.


    This page titled 4: Public Opinion in California is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Steven Reti.

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