Monday October 21, 2013
• OBJ: SWBAT understand
what Cross Cutting
Cleavages are and how they
can affect the way a
politician may run for office.
• Drill: What does this
cartoon represent? How
does this relate to
demographics and how a
politician addresses them?
• HW: Read Wilson 471-476,
486-88 Cornell notes, Study
for test Wednesday and
Thursday.
Political socialization refers to:
A. Why a person identifies with a political party
B. How an individual’s political views are developed
C. The measure of the public’s attitude on national
issues
D. A person’s position on social questions such as
abortion
E. The role of government in promoting national
identity
The most significant agent of political socialization is:
A. Religion
B. Education
C. The Media
D. Race and ethnicity
E. Family
Among the common set of fundamental political beliefs
and opinions that Americans hold is a belief in:
A. Affirmative action
B. Freedom for the individual
C. The value of government solutions over
private sector solutions
D. The status quo
E. Deregulation of industry
What is a Cleavage?
• a social science term that refers to the structure
of two (or more) cleavages, such as race, political,
religious divisions etc., in society. Specifically, it is
when groups on a first cleavage overlap among
groups on a second cleavage. Formally, members
of a group j on a given cleavage x belong to
groups on a second cleavage y with members of
other groups k, l, m, etc. from the first cleavage x.
For example, if a society contained two ethnic
groups that had equal proportions of rich and
poor it would be cross-cutting
Reinforcing Cleavages
• If cleavages overlap with each other, this can
heighten the conflict and be more divisive.
• The disagreements produced by one division
(e.g. class), will reinforce the divisions
produced by another (e.g. race).
• Finding agreement and compromise across
groups in this situation can be that much
more difficult.
Cross-cutting Cleavages
• If cleavages cut across each other, this can
lessen the presence of conflict across groups
• Disagreements produced by one division can
produce cross-pressures for individuals and
mitigate the divisions they may experience by
way of another cleavage
• Cross-pressures help produce "bridges" across
the cleavages, making agreement and
compromise more likely.
The table above supports which of the following conclusions?
I. A plurality of the people has consistently supported the Democrats.
II. Support for the two major parties increased slightly between 1952
and 1994.
III. The largest percentage increase in political identification between
1952 and 1994 occurred among independents.
A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. I, II, and III
Why Oprah?
Or in the case of Sarah Palin, why not?
Demographic
A group of people sharing a
common characteristic(s) such
as age, gender, wealth, region,
etc.
Look over the Cross-Cutting
Cleavage Cheat Sheet:
?—Any thing you need
clarified, does not make sense
!—Anything that surprised you
Choose 4 groups/regions that are similar and 4 that are different.
Similar
Different
Bible Belt
Sun Belt
Rust Belt
In small groups move around the room
• For each scenario
– Decide which group/area would be the correct
answer.
– Explain why this is the correct answer using your
cheat sheet to find evidence.
A liberal Democratic
President wants to win
reelection. Where
should he focus his
efforts and where
shouldn’t he and why?
A Republican President is
considering supporting law
eliminating a medical
procedure called dilation and
extraction (also called partialbirth abortion). Where will he
find most of his support and
opposition? Why?
A governor of a northeastern
state is considering rolling back
the amount of money the state
pays towards welfare. Where
will most of the opposition be
found? Why?
Republican Senators are
considering adding a plank to
the Republican Party platform
calling for the reduction of
federal interference in
environmental issues. Where
will they find support and
opposition to this proposal?
Why?
The war on terrorism has
required the President to
support military intervention
overseas and increased law
enforcement at home. Where
will the president find
support and opposition to
this policy? Why?
Senate Democrats are
considering supporting
an increase in federal
spending on Medicare
and Medicaid where will
they find support and
opposition? Why?
The president is promoting a
policy on faith-based
initiatives to provide federal
money to religious
organizations that aid in
dealing with social issues.
Where will the president find
support and opposition? Why?
Wrap Up
• Journal entry:
– Pretend you are a politician and you are faced
with some of these issues, how would you try to
overcome them to gain the vote of the specific
demographic?
– Choose two scenarios and provide solutions based
on things we have discussed/read in this class.
– How could these demographics be a disadvantage
to you, how could they be an advantage?