Public Opinion in Alabama

Looking Beyond the Stereotypes

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government
Cover of the book Public Opinion in Alabama by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal ISBN: 9780739145432
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: November 19, 2010
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
ISBN: 9780739145432
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: November 19, 2010
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

The attitudes of individual citizens play a central role in a democracy. In the United States today, the two major parties are each associated with a broad set of policy positions representing the conservative and liberal political ideologies. The two major parties are becoming increasingly polarized on these ideologies between conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats. This book provides an in-depth examination of public opinion in a single American state, Alabama, to see whether the public opinion of general citizens follows this stereotype of ideological and partisan polarization. Alabama public opinion is analyzed on a fairly wide range of issues, including the quality of public officials, constitutional reform, the role of government in terms of taxes and overall spending, education, health care, religion in public life, crime, and immigration. Alabama is generally perceived as staunchly conservative politically and as a reliably 'red' Republican state in national elections. Yet, public opinion in Alabama is considerably more nuanced and complex than this stereotype in two distinct aspects. First, Alabamians are certainly conservative on many issues, but they are also liberal on a significant number of others. Second, the issue positions of the state's citizens are shaped by three different dynamics in terms of what factors influence specific attitudes. Furthermore a brief analysis of public opinion in the entire United States finds similar patterns. Thus, the current polarization in party politics does not necessarily reflect public opinion in its entirety, suggesting a need to transcend the competing conservative and liberal orthodoxies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The attitudes of individual citizens play a central role in a democracy. In the United States today, the two major parties are each associated with a broad set of policy positions representing the conservative and liberal political ideologies. The two major parties are becoming increasingly polarized on these ideologies between conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats. This book provides an in-depth examination of public opinion in a single American state, Alabama, to see whether the public opinion of general citizens follows this stereotype of ideological and partisan polarization. Alabama public opinion is analyzed on a fairly wide range of issues, including the quality of public officials, constitutional reform, the role of government in terms of taxes and overall spending, education, health care, religion in public life, crime, and immigration. Alabama is generally perceived as staunchly conservative politically and as a reliably 'red' Republican state in national elections. Yet, public opinion in Alabama is considerably more nuanced and complex than this stereotype in two distinct aspects. First, Alabamians are certainly conservative on many issues, but they are also liberal on a significant number of others. Second, the issue positions of the state's citizens are shaped by three different dynamics in terms of what factors influence specific attitudes. Furthermore a brief analysis of public opinion in the entire United States finds similar patterns. Thus, the current polarization in party politics does not necessarily reflect public opinion in its entirety, suggesting a need to transcend the competing conservative and liberal orthodoxies.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Bilingual and Multicultural Perspectives on Poetry, Music, and Narrative by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book Transatlantic Feminisms by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book Suppressed Terror by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book The Shifting Grounds of Conflict and Peacebuilding by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book Catholicism in Italy in the Age of Pluralism by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book The Soul of Statesmanship by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book Dark Money, Super PACs, and the 2012 Election by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book Institutions and Incentives in Regulatory Science by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book Fear, Cultural Anxiety, and Transformation by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book War, Evacuation, and the Exercise of Power by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book The Dynamics of Change in Modern World Politics by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book Voluntary Environmental Programs by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book The Hidden Life of the Sixth Dalai Lama by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book The Limits of Marriage by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
Cover of the book Restoring America's Fiscal Constitution by Cal Clark, Don-Terry Veal
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy