Two cases for parties, one of which is more persuasive to a person on the street

This post’s purpose is to put down thoughts related to a conversation I had last night. One point concerns the defense of parties. Another concerns the nature and explanation of the two-party system.

A poll I ran on Twitter from August 28-9, 2024.
Continue reading “Two cases for parties, one of which is more persuasive to a person on the street”

Teaching public opinion with student-created data

I like to use student-generated data to illustrate course concepts. The core of the exercise in this case is a survey the students wrote, to which I added standard items on party identification and self-reported ideology.

The students’ 30 items covered many topics, some of which were very salient and others less so (which is good). I recall there being items on a TikTok ban, mask mandates, existence of climate change, trust in politicians/parties, and even attitudes toward the UK.

I plan to go back to these data as we move through the course. For now, the goals are to illustrate party identification, ideological self-identification, and revealed ideology; see to what extent these hang together; and just see what other things come to mind as we discuss the results.

Continue reading “Teaching public opinion with student-created data”