Government-Chap4-Module3-

Demographics:

• Study of the characteristics of the human population: Demography
  
  • Shows what motivates various groups to become active on certain issues and why some groups are more likely to show up on election day
    
  • Categories:
    
    • Age: Under 25 -Low turn out rate
      
    • Gender: Men once dominant, but with women voting rights this is changing
      
    • Race: More white people vote than any other to vote
      
    • Education: Highly educated are more likely to participate in politics; high school drop outs show the lowest records
      
    • Income Level: Higher level are more active, blue collar works participate more than white collar or unemployed workers
      

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Intensity:
  

• Chances of voting: Voter Intensity:
  
  • Higher:
    
    • Strong feelings about voting
      
    • Person stake
      
    • Interest in hot issue
      
    • Feel connected to political system
      
  • Lower:
    
    • Vote make a difference
      
    • Not compelled
      
    • No interest
      
    • No knowledge of candidates or issues
      
  • Related to Political Efficacy:
    
    • Internal:
      
      • Refers to how well people understand the system or get involved or stand on the political sidelines
        
      • People who have strong understand of issues and candidates
        
    • External:
      
      • Whether people believe if their efforts have a difference
        
      • If they think they can make a difference they have High External Efficacy
        
  • Issue Saliency:
    
    • Whether they believe issues make a difference in their lives
      
  • Consensus: Large amount of voters have the same opinion on topic; causes people to become apathetic and do not think their vote will make a difference
    
  • Polarization: Highly divided nation causes people to become more opinionated and will become more active to make sure that their vote and thoughts are heard