One of the central tenets of a democracy is that we expect the public to have some kind of a role in governmental decision making. After all, democracy means government by the people and for the people. But exactly what role does public opinion play? And do citizens live up to democracy’s expectations of them? In their new introductory text, Rosalee A. Clawson and Zoe M. Oxley clearly and systematically link normative questions of democratic theory―whether citizens endorse the basic principles of our democratic system; whether their opinions are pliable; whether they organize their political thinking―to existing empirical research on public opinion. Putting the core ideas of public opinion into explicit dialogue with the core assumptions of democratic theory, the authors explore the fruitful and sometimes frustrating tensions between democratic ideals and their practice. The authors begin with a clear examination of the normative debates of democratic theory, outlining the classical, pluralist, participatory, and democratic elitism strands. Along the way, they explore the basics of public opinion research. In each of the subsequent chapters―on socialization, the mass media, attitude stability, trust in government, support for civil liberties, and more―the authors not only describe the content of public opinion, but also tell readers what those findings reveal about the assumptions of democratic theory. Using what they call an "embedded methods" approach, the authors focus throughout the text on especially influential studies rather than presenting all methods in one stand-alone chapter. This integrated approach allows students to see how methods are applied within the context of specific studies and provides a richer understanding of the research process. Should students want to delve further into the methodology, the authors also include an appendix that details the core research methods of public opinion. The authors also pay close attention to issues of race, gender, class, and other important cleavages throughout the text―rather than segregating these topics in separate chapters―because research in these areas informs broader debates within public opinion literature. An array of tables, figures, photos, suggested reading lists, and bolded key terms further enhance student learning. Clearly written, readable, and engaging, this innovative text offers a fresh take on the foundations of public opinion theory, research, and practice.

Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice

Politics & Social Sciences

Clawson, Rosalee A.

Oxley, Zoe M.

Politics & Government

CQ Press

BUNDLE: Clawson: Public Opinion, 2e + Pollock: The Essentials of Political Analysis, 4e + Pollock: A Stata Companion to Political Analysis, 2e

Pollock, Philip H.

In this revision of their lauded Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice, Rosalee A. Clawson and Zoe M. Oxley continue to link the enduring normative questions of democratic theory to the best empirical research on public opinion. Exploring the tension between ideals and their practice, each chapter focuses on exemplary studies so that students gain a richer understanding of key findings and the research process as well as see methods applied in context.

Clawson and Oxley link the enduring normative questions of democratic theory to existing empirical research on public opinion. Organized around a series of questions--In a democratic society, what should be the relationship between citizens and their government? Are citizens' opinions pliable? Are they knowledgeable, attentive, and informed?--the text explores the tension between ideals and their practice. Each chapter focuses on exemplary studies, explaining not only the conclusion of the research, but how it was conducted, so students gain a richer understanding of the research process and see methods applied in context.

Conducting Empirical Analysis is an ideal way to marry substance with skills, getting students to experience the joy of discovery firsthand. Through straightforward instruction and guided examples, Clawson and Oxley show students how to conduct web-based data analysis using UC Berkeley’s Survey Documentation and Analysis (available online for free) to answer questions about party identification or attitude stability, and to measure racial prejudice and political knowledge. Exercises cover a range of data collection techniques, survey research, and statistical analyses, ramping up from multiple-choice and open-ended questions to mini-research projects. An instructor’s guide with solutions is available for adopters.

Conducting Empirical Analysis: Public Opinion in Action

Social Sciences

In this revision to their lauded core text, Clawson and Oxley continue to link the enduring normative questions of democratic theory to existing empirical research on public opinion. Exploring the tension between ideals and their practice, each chapter focuses on exemplary studies so students gain a richer understanding of the research process and see methods applied in context.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Oxley, Zoe M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Oxley, Zoe M.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Oxley, Zoe M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice

BUNDLE: Clawson: Public Opinion, 2e + Pollock: The Essentials of Political Analysis, 4e + Pollock: A Stata Companion to Political Analysis, 2e

Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice

Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice

Conducting Empirical Analysis: Public Opinion in Action

Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice