Demographic gaps in American political behavior / Patrick Fisher.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fisher, Patrick (Patrick Ivan), author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political participation--Social aspects--United States.

Political participation.

Political culture--United States.

Political culture.

Age--Political aspects.

Age.

Race--Political aspects.

Race.

Men--Political activity.

Men.

Income.

Demography--Political aspects.

Demography.

Political participation--Social aspects.

United States.

Political socialization--United States.

Political socialization.

Demography--Political aspects--United States.

Income--Political aspects--United States.

Religion and politics--United States.

Religion and politics.

Women--Political activity--United States.

Women.

Women--Political activity.

Men--Political activity--United States.

Race--Political aspects--United States.

Age--Political aspects--United States.

Physical Description:

xi, 243 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Boulder, CO : Westview Press, [2014]

Summary:

"Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior examines the political behavior of various groups in the United States in an effort to demonstrate how demographic backgrounds and socialization affect political behavior. Media coverage has disproportionately focused on the red state versus blue state divide, leaving the impression that American political behavior is determined solely by place of residence. This, however, ignores the numerous other political divides that exist in the United States today. In order to better conceptualize the landscape of American political behavior, Patrick Fisher analyzes the political gaps in six different demographics-income, religion, gender, race, age, and geography-and examines the effect these political gaps have on public opinion, policy, and party positioning. Written in an accessible fashion, Demographic Gaps in American Political Behavior uses contemporary examples and data from the 2008 and 2012 elections to help readers understand how and why demographic background has the potential to greatly influence political opinions and behavior"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Introduction to Gapology 1

The Concept of "Gapology" 1

The United States in Red and Blue 5

A Culture War? 9

The Gapology of American Politics 12

Chapter 2 The Income Gap 21

Income and American Political Behavior 21

The Income Gap in the 2008 and 2012 Elections 27

Income and Public Policy Preferences 32

The Education Gap 40

The Significance of the Income Gap 42

Chapter 3 The Religion Gap 51

Religion and American Political Behavior 51

The Religion Gap in the 2008 and 2012 Elections 62

Religion and Public Policy Preferences 64

Religion and the Cultural Divide 67

The Changing Dynamic of the Religion Gap 73

The Significance of the Religion Gap 76

Chapter 4 The Gender Gap 83

Gender and American Political Behavior 83

The Gender Gap in the 2008 and2012 Elections 86

Gender and Public Policy Preferences 89

The Marriage Gap 97

The Significance of the Gender Gap 101

Chapter 5 The Race Gap 109

Race and American Political Behavior 109

The Race Gap in the 2008 and 2012 Elections 116

Race and Public Policy Preferences 123

The Significance of the Race Gap 131

Chapter 6 The Age Gap 141

Age and American Political Behavior 141

Vie Age Gap in the 2008 and 2012 Elections 145

Age and Public Policy Preferences 151

The Significance of the Age Gap 161

Chapter 7 The Geography Gap 167

Geography and American Political Behavior 167

Geography and Public Policy Preferences 181

The Significance of the Geography Gap 187

Chapter 8 The Implications of Gapology 195

The Gaps and Vote Choice 196

The Gaps and Public Policy Preferences 202

The Significance of Gapology 211.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780813345963

0813345960

OCLC:

853310571