MaxedOutMama
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Interesting
At Betsy's Page I noticed this post discussing a Pew Poll about the attitudes that define Democrats, Independents and Republicans. Betsy's post has absolutely great comments on it, including this one which gives a bunch of comparisons between Americans and Europeans such as:
If you look at this carefully, the striking thing is that both upbeats (optimistic) and disaffecteds are mostly Independent, with a solid minority describing themselves as Republican, but almost unrepresented in the Democratic camp!
That made me curious, so I read the whole Pew writeup, available online here:
Another interesting observation is that both Enterprisers and Liberals are wealthier groups, although only just wealthier than the Upbeats:
Not what I would have expected at all. Beyond different opinons on national security, there is little cohesiveness on either end of the spectrum. And one last note - of the groups, only the Liberals favor gay marriage:
Is success determined by forces outside our control?"The Pew Poll itself sorts out different attitudes and attributes them to different types of voters. The result of their study is interesting - Independents are now the largest single group! I find that quite understandable.
Germany - No 33%
Italy - No 37%
France - No 45%
US - No 68%
If you look at this carefully, the striking thing is that both upbeats (optimistic) and disaffecteds are mostly Independent, with a solid minority describing themselves as Republican, but almost unrepresented in the Democratic camp!
That made me curious, so I read the whole Pew writeup, available online here:
Foreign affairs assertiveness now almost completely distinguishes Republican-oriented voters from Democratic-oriented voters; this was a relatively minor factor in past typologies. In contrast, attitudes relating to religion and social issues are not nearly as important in determining party affiliation. Still, these issues do underscore differences within parties, especially among the Democrats. While Republican-inclined voters range from the religious to the very religious, the Democratic Party is much more divided in terms of religious and cultural values. Its core constituents include both seculars and the highly religious.and:
Voters inclined toward the Republican Party are distinguished from Democrats by their personal optimism and belief in the power of the individual. While some voting blocs on the right are as financially stressed as poorer Democrats, Republicans in this situation tend to be more hopeful and positive in their outlook than their more fatalistic counterparts in the Democratic Party.and:
National security attitudes also generally unite the Democrats. Beyond their staunch opposition to the war in Iraq, Democrats overwhelmingly believe that effective diplomacy, rather than military strength, should serve as the basis for U.S. security policy. At home, Democrats remain committed to a strong social safety net and are joined in opposition to most domestic policy proposals from the Bush administration, from tougher bankruptcy laws to private accounts in Social Security.
In some ways, the biggest difference between the latest Pew Research Center typology and those in the Clinton era concerns the groups in the middle of the political spectrum. During the 1990s, the typology groups in the center were not particularly partisan, but today they lean decidedly to the GOP.The Pew writeup notes that little about all this seems to support the meme that we are an increasingly factionalized nation divided into two camps. The Republicans won by capturing the voters in the middle, and it seems pretty obvious (given the size of the middle) that parties need to focus on centrist policies. Pew sees all sorts of opportunity for those who want to build issue-based coalitions.
Another interesting observation is that both Enterprisers and Liberals are wealthier groups, although only just wealthier than the Upbeats:
Not what I would have expected at all. Beyond different opinons on national security, there is little cohesiveness on either end of the spectrum. And one last note - of the groups, only the Liberals favor gay marriage:
Comments:
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'During the 1990s, the typology groups in the center were not particularly partisan, but today they lean decidedly to the GOP'
That is good news. This a great post. Good work MOM.
That is good news. This a great post. Good work MOM.
Weeell, I would say this is a portrait of an electorate in flux. Personally I consider that rational. The demographic shifts in our culture and various foreign-policy issues do present new challenges.
In a representative system, new challenges do realign the electorate. The question now is whether each party will sit down and look at real problems on the ground.
In a representative system, new challenges do realign the electorate. The question now is whether each party will sit down and look at real problems on the ground.
I spent about an hour last night, reading and digesting this post. I think the numbers speak for themselves and are nothiong short of extraordianry, when you factor in the media, influence and everybody with agenda having access to a soapbox.
People may be a lot smarter that others want you to think.
People may be a lot smarter that others want you to think.
I don't think that any amount of propaganda will change the majority traits of our electorate, which is independent-minded, skeptical of fanaticism from whatever source, relatively involved (at least in local government) and strikingly tolerant of people wishing to go their own way.
Isn't it fascinating that such a poll presents a remarkably different picture of the political environment than one would get from reading the mass media? As old Abe said, you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Isn't it fascinating that such a poll presents a remarkably different picture of the political environment than one would get from reading the mass media? As old Abe said, you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
You're right, of course. The truth of the matter is, most of us have long made peace with our neighbors- and their different beliefs. It is the noisemakers from either extreme that want us to believe the sky is falling- and want to believe there is crisis in every neighborhood.
It just isn't so.
It just isn't so.
MOM, I saved a copy of the Pew political typology poll, and I'm working my way through it. I think you got it just right, so instead of doing the work to write about it, I'm just going to link to your post. Thanks!
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