During this section of the course we explore all of the aspects associated
with making demands upon the political system. We will explore this
phenomenon from a number of perspectives:
Theoretically: "What do the elite, democratic and plural theories say about the articulation of interests?"
Empirically: "What can we discover about interest articulation through the data available in the MicroCase workbook?"
Compartively: "What is the difference the U.S. and Ruritania regarding interest articulation?" (ie., political parties)
Interest articulation can be explored from the individual and group contexts. Depending upon the system explored the group context can include both interest groups and political parties!
Individual Interest
Articulation
Theoretically, how does each
one of the theories view individual participation? 1) Elite theory 2) Democratic Theory
3) Plural theory
Empirically, what have people
discovered?
The Hierarchy of Political Involvement
(L. Milbrath)
Milbrath discovered that Americans could be divided into
a relatively small number of categories (approximate percentages) when
it came to individual political participation:
Gladiators (1%)
holding public office
being a candidate
soliciting funds
attending a caucus or strategy session
contributing time to a political campaign
Transitionals (3%)
attending a political meeting or rally
contributing money
contacting a political leader
Spectators (62 %)
button or bumper sticker
attempt to convince
vote
Apathetics (34%)
Which theoretical approach is supported by this data?
Messages American Get About Politics
(R. Reiter)
politics is individualistic
politics is private
politics is episodic
What Motivates People to Participate?
(Incentives)
psychic (ideological)
solidary (social)
material (financial)
Other Factors
Individual Attitudes, Values, Opinions, Beliefs
Political Socialization
Political Stimuli
Opinions
verbal expression of an attitude shaped by current expereince that
vary in: direction/ intensity/ stability
Attitudes
relatively enduring organization of interrelated beliefs that describe,
evaluate and advocate action
Values
normative statements of things thought to be desirable
Beliefs
an individual's description of his/ her environment