4.4 Influence of Political Events on Ideology

Citizen beliefs about government are shaped by the intersection of demographics, political culture, and dynamic social change.

Explain how cultural factors influence political attitudes and socialization.

The relative importance of major political events to the development of individual political attitudes is an example of political socialization

The formation of an individual's political views can be influenced by significant political events, which is a demonstration of the process known as political socialization. Events such as wars, political scandals, and economics - cange influence the development of political attitudes.

Major life events can significantly change how adults view politics, particularly as they adopt new roles like worker, spouse, parent, homeowner, and retiree. A clear example of this is seen with student protesters from the 1960s who opposed the Vietnam War. These protesters had different viewpoints compared to their peers; they were less trusting of the government but felt empowered to affect change in the political landscape. However, the political beliefs of some of these passionate activists shifted once they entered the workforce and started families. Many of them became government officials, lawyers, and business leaders—the very types of individuals they had once criticized.

The Vietnam War caused significant division among the American people. It ignited discussions about the nation's values and priorities, leading to numerous protests and the rise of an anti-war movement focused on ending the conflict and bringing troops back home. For many, the war symbolized the government's failure to heed public opinion and utilize military force responsibly.

Young people and students were particularly vocal in their opposition, viewing the war as a senseless and destructive loss of life. This sentiment fueled a countercultural movement that aimed to challenge the prevailing cultural and political norms. This movement rejected traditional authority and sought more freedom and equality, leaving a lasting mark on American politics and society.

Conversely, many supporters of the war believed it was essential for protecting American interests and stopping the spread of communism. They saw the conflict as a noble effort to defend the nation’s values and freedoms against aggression. This viewpoint was especially strong among military veterans and conservative political leaders and groups.

The conflict was a significant moment in the nation’s politics, initiating a widespread discussion regarding the government’s role and the use of military force. This war also played a crucial part in shaping the political beliefs of an entire generation of Americans, affecting their opinions on the country’s values and priorities as well as their views on government, democracy, and freedom.

The Watergate scandal had a significant effect on the American public, causing widespread disappointment and distrust in the government. Many individuals viewed the scandal as evidence of the corruption and dishonesty they believed were common in politics. This resulted in increased skepticism and cynicism towards the political system, along with a call for more accountability and openness in governance.

For numerous individuals, Watergate marked a shift in their political beliefs, shaping their opinions on the government's role and the conduct expected from political leaders. Some who felt let down by the scandal became more liberal, pushing for enhanced transparency and accountability in government and advocating for a greater involvement of citizens in the political arena.

'Its the Economy Stupid' The most significant factor in influemning political opinion is the economy.

However in 2024 : unemployment is low, the stock market is generally up , and people are buying more stuff and yet in surveys, people keep saying the economy is bad. A recent Harris poll for The Guardian found that around half of Americans think the S. & P. 500 is down this year, and that unemployment is at a 50-year high. Fifty-six percent think the USA is in a recession.

There are many theories about why this gap exists. Maybe political polarization is warping how people see the economy or it’s a failure of President Biden’s messaging, or there’s just something uniquely painful about inflation. And while there’s truth in all of these, it felt like a piece of the story was missing.

The impact of economic problems on the poor and middle class might explain Trumpism. In 2024 Pew Research showed :About six in ten Americans (58%) say the economy is hurting those in the middle class, while 32% say the middle class is being helped by the current economy. Americans across income levels are about equally likely to say the current economy is hurting the middle class. Roughly two-thirds of Americans (64%) say that poor people are being hurt by current economic conditions (27% say the current economy is helping them). Similarly, 62% of adults say that people without college degrees are hurt by current economic conditions (23% say they’re being helped).

Donald Trump’s Voters and the Decline of American Manufacturing

Deindustrialization, globalization and the economic crisis of 2008 have reshaped American politics and influenced the views of million of Americans who turned to Trump and MAGA as their living standards and job security declined.

Economics Nobel prize winner A. Michael Spence has noted, “Globalization hurts some subgroups within some countries, including the advanced economies … The result is growing disparities in income and employment across the US economy, with highly educated workers enjoying more opportunities and workers with less education facing declining employment prospects and stagnant incomes.” Just as manufacturing employment was a key to enabling less-educated workers to enter the middle class after World War II, the loss of manufacturing jobs is correspondingly a key element in the decline in real income for a significant part of the American middle class in the past few decades.