CHAPTER IV CONTENTS
IV. Mass Support of the Political System
Note: entries are in alphabetical order
Please see p.xxix "HOW TO READ A CONTINUITY GUIDE ENTRY" before
consulting individual entries
IV.A. Evaluation of Government Institutions
1. BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . 517
a. Comparison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517
b. Congress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519
c. President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522
d. Supreme Court/courts. . . . . . . . . . 522
2. LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523
a. Comparison or in general. . . . . . . . 523
b. Federal government. . . . . . . . . . . 524
c. Government in General . . . . . . . . . 525
d. State and local government. . . . . . . 527
IV.B. Evaluation of Government Performance
1. BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . 529
a. Comparison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 529
b. Congress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531
c. President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 532
d. Supreme Court/courts. . . . . . . . . . 533
2. LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534
a. Federal government. . . . . . . . . . . 534
b. State and local government. . . . . . . 537
IV.C. Evaluation of Government Responsiveness
1. GOVERNMENT ATTENTION TO AVERAGE CITIZEN . . . . 539
2. INFLUENCE/POWER OF AVERAGE CITIZEN/R. . . . . . 542
IV.D. Evaluation of the Political Process
1. GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 547
2. PARTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 550
3. POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS/ ELECTIONS. . . . . . . . . 551
Chapter IV contents, cont'd.
Please see p.xxix "HOW TO READ A CONTINUITY GUIDE ENTRY" before
consulting individual entries
IV.E. Traditional Mass Support Components
1. CITIZEN DUTY COMPONENT . . . . . . . . . . . . 553
2. EXTERNAL POLITICAL EFFICACY COMPONENT. . . . . 554
3. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIVENESS COMPONENT. . . . . . 555
4. INTERNAL POLITICAL EFFICACY COMPONENT. . . . . 556
5. TRUST IN GOVERNMENT COMPONENT. . . . . . . . . 557
MASS SUPPORT OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM
IV.A
Evaluation of Government Institutions
For R's evaluation of the condition of the U.S. ('as a whole') see
Chapter III, Section J, Most Important Problems/Issues/Goals/
Conditions.
For R's evaluation of individual candidates or political parties,
see Chapter II, Section A, Evaluation and Knowledge of Candidates.
For R's evaluation and knowledge of political parties, see Chapter II,
Section B, Evaluation and Knowledge of Parties.
For R's level of knowledge about politics, the government, or the
political process, see Chapter V, Section C.2, Knowledge of
Political Information.
For power of the federal government, perceived government stands (not
performance) on issues, government intervention and related topics,
see Chapter III, Section F.7, Power of the Federal Government,
Government Regulation and Intervention.
Branches of Government IV.A.1
COMPARISON IV.A.1.a
- Is the President in the Best Position to See What the Country
Needs or, Although the President May Have Good Ideas, is it
Up to the Congress to Decide What Ought to be Done
58: V154
- Which Part of Government Can Be Trusted Most Often to Do
What's Right: Congress, the Supreme Court, the President
or Political Parties. Next Most Often. Least Often
72: V450*-452* 74: V2241-2243 76: V3590-3592
CF: V632-634
- In general, Thinking of the Important Problems Facing the
Country, Which Has the Most Say in What Our Government
Does: Congress, the President, or About Equal
78: V320
- In general, Which Does R Think Has the Most Say in the Way
Our Government is Run, the Congress, the President, or are
They About Equal
58: V152
- Which Part of the Government is the Most Powerful, Congress,
the Supreme Court, the President, or Political Parties.
Second Most Powerful. Least Powerful.
72: V447*-449*
- Does R Trust the Supreme Court or Congress More
66: V148
--(if R has opinion) Strength of Feeling (FOLLOWUP)
66: V149
- Which Has the Most Say About the Handling of Inflation, the
Congress, the President, or is There Not Much Difference
78: V342
- Which Has the Most Say About the Handling of Unemployment,
Congress, the President, or is There Not Much Difference
78: V345
- When it Comes to Doing Something About Problems Like
Unemployment and Recession, Which is More Important, the
Congress or the President, or are They About Equally
Important
58: V153
- In the Last Year or So, Who Has Had the Most Say About the
Government's Handling of the Economy, Congress, the
President, or About the Same for Both
82: V340[C]
- Is it Better When one Party Controls Presidency and Congress;
Better when Control is Split Between Democrats and
Republicans; or Doesn't it Matter
92: V5732
CONGRESS IV.A.1.b
- How Much Influence and Power Should Congress Have (Much Less,
Less, a Little Less, Same as Now, a Little More, More, Much
More)
74: V2262 76: V3558
- How Much of the Time Can R Trust the U.S. Congress to Do What
Is Right
78: V498
- Is the U.S. Congress Run by a Few Big Interests Looking Out
for Themselves or is it Run for the Benefit of All the
People
78: V499
- Sometimes the Voters Want a Congressmen to Do Something s/he
Disagrees With. Should s/he do What the Voters Think Best
or Should s/he Do What S/he Thinks Best
58: V150 78: V246
- On Most Issues Should a Congressman Support the Position
His/her Party Takes or Should s/he Make up Own Mind
Regardless of How the Party Wants him/her to Vote
58: V151 78: V247
- How Would R Rank the Importance of the Following Activities
as Part of the Job of U.S. House Representatives: [list shown to R]
. Helping People in the District who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
78: V248
. Making Sure the District Gets its Fair Share of Government
Money and Projects
78: V249
. Keeping Track of the Way Government Agencies are Carrying
Out Laws Passed out by Congress
78: V250
. Keeping in Touch with the People About What the Government
is Doing
78: V251
. Working in Congress on Bills Concerning National Issues
78: V251
. All/None Important
78: V253
- How Important are These Activities for the U.S. House
Representative [from 'extremely important' to 'not at all important']
. Helping People in the District who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
PS: V484*
. Working in Congress on Bills Concerning National Issues
PS: V485*
. Making Sure the District Gets its Fair Share of Government
Money and Projects
PS: V486*
- How Would R Rank the Importance of the Following Activities
of the U.S. House Representative:
. Helping People in the District who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
. Working in Congress on Bills Concerning National Issues
. Making Sure the District Gets its Fair Share of Government
Money and Projects
PS: V490-492*
- How Would R Rank the Importance of the Following Activities
as Part of the Job of U.S. Senators: [list shown to R]
. Helping People in the State who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
78: V304
. Making Sure the State Gets its Fair Share of Government
Money and Projects
78: V305
. Keeping Track of the Way Government Agencies are Carrying
Out Laws Passed out by Congress
78: V306
. Keeping in Touch with the People About What the Government
is Doing
78: V307
. Working in Congress on Bills Concerning National Issues
78: V308
. All/None Important
78: V309
- How Important are These Activities for the U.S. House
Representative [from 'extremely important' to 'not at all important']
. Helping People in the State who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
PS: V481*
. Working in Congress on Bills Concerning National Issues
PS: V482*
. Making Sure the State Gets its Fair Share of Government
Money and Projects
PS: V483*
- How Would R Rank the Following Activities of the U.S.
Senator:
. Helping People in the State who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
. Working in Congress on Bills Concerning National Issues
. Making Sure the State Gets its Fair Share of Government
Money and Projects
PS: V487-489*
- Generally Speaking, Those we Elect to Congress Lose Touch
with the People Pretty Quickly (Agree/Disagree)
68: V521 70: V148 72: V273,563*
74: V2226 76: V3819 78: V355
80: V1034;I425 CF: V610
- Does R Favor or Oppose a Law Which Would Limit Members of
Congress to No More Than 12 Years of Service in Their
Office
CWP:V2480 92: V3747
- Feeling Thermometer for Congress (U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives
80: V882;I690 88: V628[&672] 92: V5337
- US House of Representatives Candidates, Feeling
Thermometers:
. Challenger to Running House Incumbent Candidate
78: V2008 PS: V691* CF: V909
. Democratic House Candidate [incumbent or not]
78: V2005 80: V855 82: V132[C]
84: V753 86: V136[&163] 88: V601[&645]
90: V145[&179] CWP:V145[&179] 92: V5311[&6311]
PS: V109*,644* CF: V906
. House Incumbent Not Running for Re-election ['retiring']
80: V858 92: V5313 PS: V111*
[&6313]
. House Representative [running OR 'retiring']
78: V150 CWP:V2219[&2264]
. Independent/ Third Party House Candidate
80: V857 82: V134[C] 84: V755
86: V138[&165] 88: V603[&647]
. Republican House Candidate [incumbent or not]
78: V2006 80: V856 82: V133[C]
84: V754 86: V173[&164] 88: V602[&646]
90: V146[&180] CWP:V146[&180] 92: V5312[&6312]
PS: V110*,645* CF: V907
. Running Incumbent House Candidate
78: V2007 PS: V690* CF: V908
. Third Party House Candidate
78: V153
- US Senate Candidates, Feeling Thermometers:
. Challenger to Running Senate Incumbent Candidate
78: V2004 PS: V783 CF: V9059
. Democratic Senate Candidate [incumbent or not]
78: V2001 80: V848 82: V126
86: V131[&158] 88: V596[&640] 90: V140[&174]
CWP:V140[&174] 92: V5304,5306 PS: V104,736
CF: V9056 [&6304,6306]
. Independent/ Third Party Senate Candidate
78: V154 80: V850 82: V128
. Republican Senate Candidate [incumbent or not]
78: V2002 80: V849 82: V127
86: V132[&159] 88: V597[&641]; 90: V141[&175]
CWP:V141[&175] 92: V5305,5307 PS: V105,737
CF: V9057 [&6305,6307]
. Running Incumbent Senate Candidate
78: V2003 PS: V782 CF: V9058
. Senate Incumbent Not Running for Re-election ['retiring']
80: V851 PS: V103*
. Senator #1, Senator #2 [term not up or no race in state]
78: V145,148,149 80: V852-854 82: V129-131
86: V133-135 88: V598-600[&642- 90: V142-144
[&160-162] 644] [&176-178]
CWP:V142-144[&176- 92: V5308-5310 PS: V106-108
178];2217,2218 [&6308-6310]
[&2262,2263] CF: V9060-9062
. Seat #1, Seat #2 Senators
PS: V828,829
PRESIDENT IV.A.1.c
- How Much Influence and Power Should the President Have
(Much Less, Less, a Little Less, Same as Now, a Little
More, More, Much More)
74: V2261 76: V3557
SUPREME COURT/COURTS IV.A.1.d
- How Much Influence and Power Should the Supreme Court Have
(Much Less, Less, a Little Less, Same as Now, a Little
More, More, Much More)
74: V2263 76: V3559
- Does the Supreme Court Get Too Mixed Up in Politics (Yes/No)
66: V146
--(if R has opinion) Strength of Opinion (FOLLOWUP)
66: V147
- Does R Think the Supreme Court in its Decisions Favors Any
Particular Group or Groups in This Country
66: V150
--(if yes) Which Group(s) Favored (FOLLOWUP)
66: V151
- What is the Supreme Court's Main Job in the Government (3
mentions)
66: V144
--(if R makes mention) How Well Does the Supreme Court Do
its Job (FOLLOWUP)
66: V145
- Does R Remember Hearing About any Suggestions for Changing
the Supreme Court (IF YES) What (2 mentions)
66: V171
--(if R makes mention) Does R Agree or Disagree (FOLLOWUP)
66: V172
- Would a Supreme Court Decision Whether Blacks Have the Right
to Live in Any Part of Town They Want Change R's Feelings
Toward the Supreme Court
66: V156,158
- How Much of the Time Does R Think that Courts in the U.S.
Guarantee Everyone a Fair Trial, 7-Point Scale ('None' to
'a Great Deal')
76: V3355
- Generally Everyone Is Treated Equally by the Law in this
Country (Agree/Disagree)
74: V2228
Levels of Government IV.A.2
COMPARISON OR IN GENERAL IV.A.2.a
- Should Candidates for High Office Display Higher Moral
Standards than the Average Citizen
92: V3519
- Does R Have More Faith in the National Government, R's State
Government, or R's Local Government
68: V508 72: V453* 74: V2244
76: V3593 CF: V630
--(if R has opinion other than 'none') Reasons (FOLLOWUP)
68: V509 74: V2245,2246
76: V3594,3595
- Which Level of Government Does R Have the Least Faith in
68: V510,512 72: V454*,455* 74: V2247
76: V3596 CF: V631
--(if R has opinion other than 'none') Reasons (FOLLOWUP)
68: V511,511 72: V456*,457*
74: V2248,2249 76: V3597,3598
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IV.A.2.b
- How Much Influence and Power Should the Federal Government in
Washington Have (Much Less, Less, a Little Less, Same as
Now, a Little More, More, Much More)
74: V2258 76: V3554
- How Much of the Time Can the Government in Washington Be
Trusted to Do What Is Right: Just About Always, Most of the
Time or Only Some of the Time
58: V157 64: V403 66: V173
68: V504 70: V151 72: V90*,571
74: V2230 76: V3163 78: V347
80: V402;I429 82: V529 84: V1064
86: V548(A) 88: V955 90: V504
CWP:V504,2487 92: V6120 CF: V604
- How Much Difference Does it Make to People Like R What the
Government in Washington Does: a Good Deal, Some or Not
Much
66: V174
- Are the People Running the Federal Government Now More Honest
or Less Honest than Those Who Were Running the Government
in 1980 or Hasn't This Changed Much
88: V1038[&1050,1063]
--(if more or less honest) Much More/Less Honest or Somewhat
More/Less Honest (FOLLOWUP)
88: V1039
- Does R Know What the Branch of the Federal Government that
Works on Problems of Air Safety Does
62: V63
- Federal Government in Washington, Feeling Thermometer
80: V868;I676 88: V615[&659] 92: V5325
GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL IV.A.2.c
- Are Quite a Few People Running the Government (1958-1972: a
Little) Crooked or are Not Very Many or Hardly Any Crooked
(1958-1972: at All)
58: V155 64: V401 68: V507
70: V154 72: V93*,574 74: V2233
76: V3166 78: V350 80: V405;I432
84: V1066 88: V958 90: V507
CWP:V507 92: V6123 CF: V608
- Are Quite a Few People Running the Government Dishonest or
are Not Very Many or Hardly Any Dishonest
72: V937
- Do the People in Government Waste a Lot of the Money We Pay
in Taxes or Waste Some of it or Don't Waste Very Much of it
58: V156 64: V402 68: V503
70: V150 72: V89*,570 74: V2229
76: V3162 78: V346 80: V401;I428
82: V528 84: V1063 88: V956
90: V505 CWP:V505 92: V6121
CF: V606
- Are Almost All of the People Running the Government Smart
People (1958-1972: Who Usually Know What They are Doing) or
Don't Quite a Few of Them Seem to Know What They are Doing
58: V159 64: V404 68: V506
70: V153 72: V92*,573 74: V2232
76: V3165 78: V349 80: V404;I431
CF: V607
- Is the Government Run by a Few Big Interests Looking Out for
Themselves or is it Run for the Benefit of All the People
58: V158 64: V405 66: V176
68: V505 70: V152 72: V91*,572
74: V2231 76: V3164 78: V348
80: V403;I430 82: V530 84: V1065
88: V957 90: V506 CWP:V506,2488
92: V6122 CF: V605
- Do the High-Up People in Government Give Everyone a Fair
Break or Do Some of Them Pay More Attention to Big Business
58: V158
- Sometime Politics and Government Seem So Complicated That a
Person Like R Can't Really Understand What's Going on
(Agree/Disagree)
52: V125 56: V112 60: V111
64: V176 66: V117 68: V143,519
70: V146 72: V271,561* 74: V2224
76: V3817 78: V353 80: V1032;I423
84: V314;1072 88: V939[&978,1075] 90: V510
CWP:V510 92: V6104 CF: V614
- Would R Say S/he is Proud of Many Things About Our Form of
Government OR S/he Can't Find Much in Our Form of
Government to be Proud of
72: V100*,556* 76: V3365
- With the Talk About Watergate, Sex Scandals and Corruption in
the Government, Does R Think These Problems are Just the
Result of What Individual Politicians Have Done or is it
Because There's Something More Seriously Wrong with
Government in General and the Way it Operates
76: V3167
- Does the Thought of America's 200 Year History Make R Feel
Very Proud, Somewhat Proud, Not Very Proud, or Doesn't it
Really Make Much Difference to R
76: V3223
- Does R Feel a Change in Our Whole Form of Government is
Needed to Solve the Problems Facing our Country or is no
Real Change Necessary
72: V98*,554* 76: V3361
--(if change needed) What Change(s) Does R Have in Mind
(FOLLOWUP)
72: V555* 76: V3362-3364
- With the Recent Talk About How People Have Lost Faith and
Confidence in the Government in Washington, Does R Think
this Lack of Trust in the Government is Just Because of the
Individuals in Office or is There Something More Seriously
Wrong with Government in General and the Way it Operates
76: V3366
- Is the Present Form of American Government Capable of Solving
the Race Problems in America
72: V99*,700*
- Government Officials Usually Pay Less Attention to a Request
or Complaint from a Black Person than from a White Person
86: V567[&573((B)
- Trust in Government Index, 6-Point Scale [created from the following
questions: 1) How much of the time can the government in Washington
be trusted to do what's right; 2) Is the government run by a few
big interests looking out for themselves or for all the people;
3) Do the people in government waste a lot/some/not much tax dollars;
4) Are people running the government smart or don't quite a few
know what they are doing; 5) Are quite a few/not very many/hardly
any people running the government crooked.]
CF: V635
- Trust in Government Index, Collapsed 6-Point Scale
CF: V643
- Trust in Government Index, 5-Point Scale [created from questions 1),
2), 3) and 5) listed above in the 6-point trust in government index]
CF: V646
- Trust in Government Index, Collapsed 5-Point Scale
CF: V647
- Which of These Statements is Closest to the Way R Feels
Things Actually Are: Most of the Time R Can't Undrstand
Why Politicians Behave the Way They Do OR: In the Long
Run, the People are Responsible for Bad Government on a
National as Well as on a Local Level
72: V84
- People Working for the Federal Government, Feeling
Thermometer
80: V879;I687
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT IV.A.2.d
- How Much Influence and Power Should State Governments Have
(Much Less, Less, a Little Less, Same as Now, a Little
More, More, Much More)
74: V2259 76: V3555
- How Much Influence and Power Should Local Governments Have
(Much Less, Less, a Little Less, Same as Now, a Little
More, More, Much More)
74: V2260 76: V3556
- How Much of the Time Can R Trust His/Her Local Government to
Do What is Right
76: V3907
- Is R's Local Government Run by a Few Big Interests Looking
Out for Themselves or is it Run for the Benefit of all the
People
76: V3908
- Sometime Local Politics and Government Seem So Complicated
That a Person Like R Can't Really Understand What's Going
on (Agree/Disagree)
76: V3905
- Generally Speaking, Those we Elect to Local Government Lose
Touch with the People Pretty Quickly (Agree/Disagree)
76: V3906
- A Good Many Local Elections Not Important Enough to Bother
With
52: V121 56: V114 60: V113
72: V290 76: V3351 78: V425
80: V146;I436 CF: V618
- How Does R Feel About What R's Local Government Is Doing
72: V807*
IV.B
Evaluation of Government Performance
For performance of specific presidents, see: Chapter II, Sections
A.2.a(11)(b), A.2.a(11)(c), and A.2.a(11)(d), for evalutions of
the performances of President Carter, President Reagan and
President Bush.
For performance of specific members of Congress, see Chapter II,
Sections A.3.b and A.4.b, for evaluations at the U.S. House and
U.S. Senate Levels.
For power of the federal government, government stands (not
performance) on issues, government intervention and related
topics, see Chapter III, Section F.7, Power of the Federal
Government, Government Regulation and Intervention.
Branches of Government IV.B.1
COMPARISON IV.B.1.a
- Which Part of Government Which Has Done Best Job in the Past
Couple of Years: Congress, President, Supreme Court or
Political Parties. Second Best. Worst
72: V444*,445*,446*
- In the Last Year or So, Who Has Had the Most Say About the
Government's Handling of the Economy, Congress, the
President, or About the Same for Both
82: V340[C]
- Who Does R Think is Most Responsible (1992: More to Blame)
for the Budget Deficit: Congress or the President
86: V383 92: V3551
- Who Does R Blame for the Economic Problems of the Last Few
Years: Congress, the President, Labor Unions or Big
Business
76: V3750
- Has R Heard or Read Anything About the Problems in the
Savings and Loan Business
90: V473 CWP:V473 92: V3748
--(if yes) Who Does R Think is More to Blame-- Reagan,
Bush, Congress or the Owners and Managers of the
Savings and Loans (FOLLOWUP)
90: V474 CWP:V474
92: V3749
---(if owners and managers) Leaving Aside Owners
and Managers, Who is More to Blame--
Reagan, Bush or Congress
90: V475
CWP:V475
- Does R Have an Opinion on Recent (1986) Changes in the Tax
Laws.
86: V494[&499]
--(if yes) Does R Approve or Disapprove of the Changes
(FOLLOWUP)
86: V495[&500]
---(if approve or disapprove) Approve/Disapprove
Strongly or Approve/Disapprove Not
Strongly
86: V496[&501]
---(if approve or disapprove) Is the President or
is Congress More Responsible for What R
Likes/ Doesn't Like About the New Tax
Laws
86: V497[&502]
(if congress or equally) Which Party in
Congress is Most Responsible
for the Things R Likes/ Doesn't
Like
86: V498[&503]
- Who is More Responsible for the Problems in the Savings and
Loan Business-- the President or Congress
PS: V223*
CONGRESS IV.B.1.b
- Does R Approve or Disapprove of the Way the U.S. Congress Is
Handling Its Job
80: V783;I449 82: V63[C] 84: V843
86: V100 88: V880 90: V164
CWP:V164,2300,2303 92: V5949 CF: V992
--(if approve or disapprove) Strongly or Not Strongly (FOLLOWUP)
80: V784;I450 82: V64
84: V844 86: V101
88: V881 90: V165
CWP:V165,2301,2302 92: V5950
- How Good a Job Is Being Done for the Country as a Whole by:
(9-Point Scale)
. Congress
74: V2255 76: V3552 80: V766;I445
CF: V654
- How Would R Rate the Job that the U.S. Congress Has Been
Doing Over the Past Two Years
78: V85
--(if R has opinion) Reasons (FOLLOWUP)
78: V86-89
- Has R Read/Heard about the U.S. Representatives Writing "Bad
Checks" on House Bank Accounts?
92: V5715
--(if yes) Should such "Bad Check" Representatives be:
Voted out of Office; Not Disqualified for Office;
Depends on Whether Representative Wrote Few or
Many "Bad Checks".
92: V5716
--(if yes) Did R's Running Incumbent Representative Write
any Bad Checks
92: V5718
---(if yes) Did Incumbent Candidate Write a Lot
of Bad Checks, or Just a Few
92: V5719
--(if yes) Does R Think Representatives Who Wrote Bad
Checks Broke Any Laws
92: V5720
PRESIDENT IV.B.1.c
See notes at beginning of IV.B.
- How Good a Job Is Being Done for the Country as a Whole by:
(9-Point Scale)
. The Presidency
74: V2254 76: V3551 80: V765;I444
CF: V653
- Approve/Disapprove Way President Is Handling/Has Handled
Job as President
68: V47 72: V46 74: V2157
76: V3135 78: V441 80: V62;I467
82: V65[C] 84: V258,845;CM301 86: V96
88: V140,1042[&1052, 90: V98 CWP:V98,2112,
1065]; ST117, 92: V3319 2115
119 PS: V36,39 CF: V450
--(if approve) Strength; (if disapprove) Strength (FOLLOWUP)
80: V63;I468 82: V66
84: V259,846;CM302 86: V97
88: V141,1043;ST118 90: V99
CWP:V99,2113,2114 92: V3320
PS: V37,38 CF: V451
- How Does R Rate Job President Has Been Doing
78: V80
--(if rating chosen) Reasons for Rating (FOLLOWUP)
78: V81-84
- Feeling Thermometers for Presidents Currently in Office
68: V484 70: V231 72: V255,702
74: V2339 76: V3299 78: V137
80: V154,844,I195 82: V123[C] 84: V290,750;
86: V130[&157] 88: V158[&174]; CM219
90: 134[&168] ST187,1317 CWP:V134,2205
92: V3305,5301 PS: V98* [&2250]
[&6301]
- Feeling Thermometers for Vice-Presidents Currently in
Office.
68: V479 70: V237 72: V265,704
74: V2342 76: V3304 78: V143
80: V161,I203 82: V135[C] 84: V292,756;
86: V144[&171] 88: V154,592[&170, CM228
90: 137[&171] 636];ST178, CWP:V137,2212
92: V3308[&4227] 1301 [&171,2257]
SUPREME COURT/COURTS IV.B.1.d
- How Good a Job Is Being Done for the Country as a Whole by:
(9-Point Scale)
. The Supreme Court
74: V2256 76: V3553 80: V767;I446
CF: V655
- Has R Paid Attention to What the Supreme Court Has Been Doing
in the Past Few Years (IF YES) Is There Anything in
Particular That it Has Done That R Has Liked or Disliked.
What. Anything Else.
64: V357-359 66: V140-143
- Does R Know the Names of Any of the Justices of the Supreme
Court. Number of Correct Responses.
66: V166,167
--(if R does not know any names) Has R Ever Heard or Read
Anything about Any of the Justices of the Supreme
Court (FOLLOWUP)
66: V168
--(if R knows name or had heard of at least one justice) Is
There Any Supreme Court Justice in Particular Who R Feels
is Doing a Good Job (4 mentions) (FOLLOWUP)
66: V169
--(if R knows name or had heard of at least one justice) Is
There Any Supreme Court Justice in Particular Who R Feels is
Not Doing a Very Good Job (4 mentions) (FOLLOWUP)
66: V170
- What is the Supreme Court's Main Job in the Government (3
mentions)
66: V144
--(if R makes mention) How Well Does the Supreme Court Do
its Job (FOLLOWUP)
66: V145
- Would a Supreme Court Decision Whether Blacks Have the Right
to Live in Any Part of Town They Want Change R's Feelings
on This Issue [asked of Rs who had given an opinion of their own on this]
66: V155,157
- How Much of the Time Does R Think that Courts in the U.S.
Guarantee Everyone a Fair Trial, 7-Point Scale ('None' to
'a Great Deal')
76: V3355
- Generally Everyone Is Treated Equally by the Law in this
Country (Agree/Disagree)
74: V2228
Levels of Government IV.B.2
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IV.B.2.a
SEE ALSO: Chapter III, Sections F.7.a, for the topic of government
Intervention in Issues, and F.7.c, for government Regulation of
Business.
- How Good a Job Is Being Done for the Country by (9-Point
Scale):
. Federal Government
74: V2251 76: V3548 80: V762;I441
CF: V650
- How Does R Feel About What our National Government Is Doing
72: V799*,925*
- Thinking only of Self and R's Needs, How Does R Feel About
What the National Government is Doing
72: V926*
- With R's Values of What Is Appropriate and Fair, How Does R
Feel About What the National Government is Doing
72: V927*
- How Does R Feel About What our National Government Is Doing
Considering the Resources of Money, Time and Energy Being
Put into it
72: V928*
- Considering What it Would Take to Change What the
Government is Doing, How Does R Feel About What our
National Government Is Doing
72: V929*
- Thinking of R's Age and Position in Life, How Does R Feel
About What our National Government Is Doing
72: V931*
- How Does R Think Other People Feel about the Things that our
National Government is Doing
72: V930*
- How Does R Feel About What Government Is Doing About the
Economy
72: V780*
- How Good a Job Does R Think the Government Is Doing with
Economic Policy, Particularly with Inflation and
Unemployment
72: V512* 74: V2317 76: V3748
CF: V822
- Does R Think the Economic Policies of the Federal Government
Have Made the Nation's Economy Better, Worse or Haven't
Made Much Difference
84: V244 86: V374 88: V245
92: V3541
--(if better or worse) Much Better/Worse or Somewhat Better/
Worse (FOLLOWUP)
84: V245 86: V375
88: V246 92: V3542
- Have the Economic Policies of the Federal Government Made R
Better Off, Worse Off or Not Made Much Difference
84: V167 88: V212 92: V3431
--(if better or worse) Much Better/Worse or Somewhat Better/
Worse (FOLLOWUP)
84: V168 88: V213
92: V3432
- How Good a Job Has the Government Been Doing with Inflation
76: V3142 78: V340
- How Good a Job Has the Government Been Doing with Solving
Unemployment
76: V3144 78: V343
- How Good a Job is the Government Doing in Dealing with the
'Most Important Problem' [as cited by R]
72: V549* 74: V2108 76: V3691
78: V316 80: V984;I663 84: V994
86: V307 88: V818 92: V5727
- Do the People in Government Waste a Lot of the Money We Pay
in Taxes or Waste Some of it or Don't Waste Very Much of it
58: V156 64: V402 68: V503
70: V150 72: V89*,570 74: V2229
76: V3162 78: V346 80: V401;I428
82: V528 84: V1063 88: V956
90: V505 CWP:V505 92: V6121
CF: V606
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Cutting Taxes (Even If Some Important Things Must be Put Off
56: V30
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Dealing with Communist Countries by Acting Just as Tough as
They Do
56: V51
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Fair Treatment for Blacks in Jobs and Housing
56: V45
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Firing any Government Worker who is Accused of being a
Communist (Even Though They Don't Prove it)
56: V69
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Giving Money to Cities which Need Help to Build More Schools
56: V54
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Government Guaranteed Job/Standard of Living
56: V33
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Government Help for People to Get Medical Care at Low Cost
56: V39
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Isolationist Attitudes: U.S. Better Off Not to Concern
Itself with Problems Elsewhere
56: V36
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Keeping Soldiers Overseas Where They Can Help Countries that
Are Against Communism
56: V57
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Leaving Things Like Electric Power and Housing for Private
Businessmen to Handle
56: V60
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Seeing to it That Big Business Doesn't Have Much to Say about
How Government is Run
56: V48
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Seeing to it That Labor Unions Don't Have Much to Say about
How Government is Run
56: V63
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- Staying Out of the Question of Whether White and Black
Children Go to the Same School
56: V75
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- U.S. Economic Help to Poorer Countries Even if They Can't Pay
for It
56: V42
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- U.S. Help to Foreign Countries Even if They Are Not as Much
Against Communism as We Are
56: V72
Is the Government Currently Doing Too Much or Too Little on:
- U.S. Willingness to Go More Than Half-Way in Being Friendly
with the Rest of the World
56: V66
- Does Federal Government Have Too Much/Too Little Control
Over Local Education
68: V456
- In General, People Getting Together in Their Own Communities
Can Solve Their Problems Better Than the Government in
Washington
86: V514(B)
Behavior - Pres. Candidate:
- Make Government More Efficient: Does R Think Candidate as
President Would (7-Pt. Agree/Disagree)
. Carter
76: V3238
. Ford
76: V3231
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT IV.B.2.b
- How Good a Job Is Being Done for the Country by (9-Point
Scale):
. State Governments
74: V2252 76: V3549 80: V763;I442
CF: V651
. Local Governments
74: V2253 76: V3550 80: V764;I443
CF: V652
- How Does R Feel About What R's Local Government Is Doing
72: V807*
IV.C
Evaluation of Government Responsiveness
The 'traditional' NES government responsiveness items are repeated in
Chapter IV, Section E.
For responsiveness of specific members of Congress, i.e., R's senator
or House representative, see Chapter II. R-initiated contact with
representative or with senator (to express an opinion, seek
information or seek help) as well as contact initiated by
acquaintances of R with representative or with senator (for the same
reasons) in Chapter II, Sections A.3.g and A.4.f, include questions
which determine whether R/acquaintance received a response and R's/
acquaintance's satisfaction with the response.
Government Attention to Average Citizen IV.C.1
- Generally Speaking, Those we Elect to Congress Lose Touch
with the People Pretty Quickly (Agree/Disagree)
68: V521 70: V148 72: V273,563*
74: V2226 76: V3819 78: V355
80: V1034;I425 CF: V610
- Generally Speaking, Those we Elect to Local Government Lose
Touch with the People Pretty Quickly (Agree/Disagree)
76: V3906
- Over the Years, How Much Attention Does the Government Pay to
What the People Think When it Decides What to Do: A Good
Deal, Some, or Not Much
64: V390 68: V490 70: V155*
72: V94*,575 74: V2234 76: V3741
78: V416 80: V888;I437 82: V527
84: V310,1068 88: V960 92: V6125
CF: V622
- How Much Attention Do Congressmen Pay to the People Who Elect
Them when They Decide What to do in Congress: a Good Deal,
Some or Not Much
64: V393 68: V493 70: V158*
72: V97*,578 74: V2237 76: V3744
78: V419 80: V891;I440 CF: V625
- Sometimes the Voters Want a Congressperson to Do Something
s/he Disagrees With. Should s/he do What the Voters Think
Best or Should Congressperson Do What S/he Thinks Best
58: V150 78: V246
- How Much Do Political Parties Help Make the Government Pay
Attention to What the People Think: A Good Deal, Some or
Not Much
64: V391 68: V491 70: V156*
72: V95*,576 74: V2235 76: V3742
78: V417 80: V889;I438 CF: V623
- How Much Do Elections Make Government Pay Attention to What
the People Think : a Good Deal, Some or Not Much
64: V392 66: V177 68: V492
70: V157* 72: V96*,577 74: V2236
76: V3743 78: V418 80: V890;I439
84: V309,1067 88: V959 92: V6124
CF: V624
- How Much Does Having Interest Groups Make Government Pay
Attention to What the People Think: a Good Deal, Some or
Not Much
72: V579
- Public Officials Don't Care Much What People Like R Think
(Agree/Disagree)
52: V118 56: V115 60: V114
64: V177 66: V118 68: V141,520
70: V147 72: V272,562* 74: V2225
76: V3818 78: V354 80: V1033;I424
82: V532 84: V313,1071 86: V549(A)
88: V938[&977,1072] 90: V508 CWP:V508
92: V6103 CF: V609
- Do the High-Up People in Government Give Everyone a Fair
Break or Do Some of Them Pay More Attention to Big Business
58: V158
- Does R Think that the Parties Pretty Much Keep Their Campaign
Promises or do They Usually do What They Want After the
Election is Over
68: V494
- How Would R Rank the Importance of the Following Activities
as Part of the Job of U.S. House Representatives: [list shown to R]
. Helping People in the District who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
78: V248
. Keeping in Touch with the People About What the Government
is Doing
78: V251
- How Important are These Activities for the U.S. House
Representative [from 'extremely important' to 'not at all important']
. Helping People in the District who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
PS: V484*
- How Would R Rank the Importance of the Following Activities
of the U.S. House Representative:
. Helping People in the District who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
PS: V490-492*
- How Would R Rank the Importance of the Following Activities
as Part of the Job of U.S. Senators: [list shown to R]
. Helping People in the State who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
78: V304
. Keeping in Touch with the People About What the Government
is Doing
78: V307
- How Important are These Activities for the U.S. House
Representative [from 'extremely important' to 'not at all important']
. Helping People in the State who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
PS: V481*
- How Would R Rank the Following Activities of the U.S.
Senator:
. Helping People in the State who Have Personal Problems
with the Government
PS: V487-489*
- Government Responsiveness Index, Full [created from the following
questions: 1) How much attention does the government pay to what
the people think when it decides what to do; 2) How much do
political parties help make the government pay attention to what
the people think; 3) How much do elections make the government
pay attention to what the people think; 4) How much attention do
congressmen pay to the people who elect them when they decide what
to do in Congress]
CF: V641
- Government Responsiveness Index, Collapsed
CF: V644
- External Political Efficacy Index [created from the following questions:
1) Public officials don't care much what people like R think;
2) Those we elect to Congress lose touch with the people pretty
quickly; 3) Parties are only interested in people's votes but
not their opinions]
CF: V637
Influence/Power of Average Citizen/R IV.C.2
For protest activities, see Chapter III, Section A.4, for the Issues
of: Civil Order and Crime, Protest, Civil Disobedience, Unrest.
- If a Regulation Were Being Considered by R's Local Government
that R Considered Very Unjust or Harmful, What Could R Do
About it. Anything Else.
66: V184 68: V513
- If a Regulation Were Being Considered by R's Local Government
that R Considered Very Unjust or Harmful and R Made an
Effort to Change This Regulation, How Likely is it That R
Would Succeed: Very, Somewhat or Not Very Likely
66: V185 68: V514
- If a Regulation Were Being Considered by R's Local Government
that R Considered Very Unjust or Harmful, How Likely is it
That R Would Actually Try to Do Something About it
66: V186
- Has R Ever Done Anything to Try to Influence a Local Decision
(IF YES) What
66: V187
- If a Regulation Were Being Considered by Congress in
Washington that R Considered Very Unjust or Harmful, What
Could R Do About it. Anything Else.
66: V188 68: V515
- If a Regulation Were Being Considered by Congress in
Washington that R Considered Very Unjust or Harmful and R
Made an Effort to Change This Regulation, How Likely is it
That R Would Succeed: Very, Somewhat or Not Very Likely
66: V189 68: V516
- If a Regulation Were Being Considered by Congress in
Washington that R Considered Very Unjust or Harmful, How
Likely is it That R Would Actually Try to Do Something
About it
66: V190
- Has R Ever Done Anything to Try to Influence an Act of
Congress. (IF YES) What
66: V191
- If R Had Some Question to Take to a Government Office, How
Would R be Treated: Given a Harder Time than Other People,
the Same as Anyone Else, or a Little Better than Most Other
People
66: V182
--(if R has opinion) Would R be Better Off if R Went to an
Elected Official and Had Hime Talk to the People in
the Government Office for R, or Wouldn't it Make
any Difference or Would R be Worse Off [IF BETTER
OFF] How Much Good Would it do: Very Much, Some or
Not Much (FOLLOWUP)
66: V183
- If R Had Some Trouble with the Police, How Would R be
Treated: Given a Harder Time than Other People, the Same as
Anyone Else, or a Little Better than Most Other People
66: V180
--(if R has opinion) Would R be Better Off if R Went to an
Elected Official and Had Hime Talk to the Police
for R, or Wouldn't it Make any Difference or Would
R be Worse Off [IF BETTER OFF] How Much Good Would
it do: Very Much, Some or Not Much (FOLLOWUP)
66: V181
- How Much Does R Feel that R and R's Friends are Represented
in our Political System, 7-Point Scale ('None' to 'a Great
Deal')
76: V3354
- Sometime Politics and Government Seem So Complicated That a
Person Like R Can't Really Understand What's Going on
(Agree/Disagree)
52: V125 56: V112 60: V111
64: V176 66: V117 68: V143,519
70: V146 72: V271,561* 74: V2224
76: V3817 78: V353 80: V1032;I423
84: V314;1072 88: V939[&978,1075] 90: V510
CWP:V510 92: V6104 CF: V614
- How Much Political Power Do People Like R Have: A Great Deal,
Some, Not Very Much, or None
66: V138
- Do People Like R Have Too Little Political Power or Just
About the Right Amount
66: V175
- Sometimes the Voters Want a Congressperson to Do Something
s/he Disagrees With. Should s/he do What the Voters Think
Best or Should s/he Do What Congressperson Thinks Best
58: V150 78: V246
- The Way People Vote is the Main Thing That Decides How
Things are Run in this Country (Agree/Disagree)
52: V119
- People Like R Have No Say About What the Local Government
Does (Agree/Disagree)
76: V3904
- People Like R Have No Say About What the Government Does
(Agree/Disagree)
52: V123 56: V108 60: V107
64: V174 66: V115 68: V144,517
70: V144 72: V269,559* 74: V2222
76: V3815 78: V351 80: V1030;I421
82: V531 84: V312,1070 88: V937[&976,
90: V509 CWP:V509,2489 1070]
92: V6102 CF: V613
- Voting is the Only Way People Like R Can Have Any Say About
How the Government Runs Things (Agree/Disagree)
52: V120 56: V109 60: V108
64: V175 66: V116 68: V142,518
70: V145 72: V270,560* 74: V2223
76: V3816 78: V352 80: V1031;I422
CF: V612
- Public Officials Don't Care Much What People Like R Think
(Agree/Disagree)
52: V118 56: V115 60: V114
64: V177 66: V118 68: V141,520
70: V147 72: V272,562* 74: V2225
76: V3818 78: V354 80: V1033;I424
82: V532 84: V313,1071 86: V549(A)
88: V938[&977,1072] 90: V508 CWP:V508
92: V6103 CF: V609
- Which Statement Does R Feel is Closer to the Way Things
Really Are: the Average Citizen Can Have an Influence on
Government Decisions OR the World Is Run by the Few People
in Power and There is Not Much the Little Guy Can Do About
it
72: V71*
- Which Statement Does R Feel is Closer to the Way Things
Really Are: With Enough Effort We Can Wipe out Political
Corruption OR it is Difficult for People to Have Much
Control Over the Things Politicians Do in Office
72: V80*
- Internal Political Efficacy Index [created from the following
questions: 1) Voting is the only way that people like R can
have any say about how the government runs things; 2) People
like R have no say about the government does; 3) Sometimes
politics and government seem so complicated that a person
like R can't really understand what's going on]
CF: V636
- Citizen Duty Index [created from the following questions:
1) So many other people vote in the national elections that
it doesn't matter much to R whether R votes or not; 2) If
a person doesn't care about how an election comes out then
s/he shouldn't vote in it; 3) It isn't so important to vote
when you know your party doesn't have a chance to win;
4) A good many local elections are not important enough to
bother with]
CF: V638
IV.D
Evaluation of the Political Process
For protest activities, see Chapter III, Section A.4, for Issues of:
Civil Order and Crime, Protest, Civil Disobedience, Unrest.
For evaluations of parties in toto see Chapter II, Section B, for
Evaluation and Knowledge of Parties.
General IV.D.1
- To What Extent Would R Say that the Leading Politicians Have
Had Good Intentions , 7-Point Scale ('None' to 'a Great
Deal')
76: V3356
- Generally Everyone Is Treated Equally by the Law in this
Country (Agree/Disagree)
74: V2228
- Sometime Politics and Government Seem So Complicated That a
Person Like R Can't Really Understand What's Going on
(Agree/Disagree)
52: V125 56: V112 60: V111
64: V176 66: V117 68: V143,519
70: V146 72: V271,561* 74: V2224
76: V3817 78: V353 80: V1032;I423
84: V314;1072 88: V939[&978,1075] 90: V510
CWP:V510 92: V6104 CF: V614
- Sometime Local Politics and Government Seem So Complicated
That a Person Like R Can't Really Understand What's Going
on (Agree/Disagree)
76: V3905
- How Much Does Having Interest Groups Make Government Pay
Attention to What the People Think: a Good Deal, Some or
Not Much
72: V579
- If a Regulation Were Being Considered by R's Local Government
that R Considered Very Unjust or Harmful and R Made an
Effort to Change This Regulation, How Likely is it That R
Would Succeed: Very, Somewhat or Not Very Likely
66: V185 68: V514
- If a Regulation Were Being Considered by Congress in
Washington that R Considered Very Unjust or Harmful and R
Made an Effort to Change This Regulation, How Likely is it
That R Would Succeed: Very, Somewhat or Not Very Likely
66: V189 68: V516
- How Much Does R Feel that R and R's Friends are Represented
in our Political System, 7-Point Scale ('None' to 'a Great
Deal')
76: V3354
- People Like R Have No Say About What the Local Government
Does (Agree/Disagree)
76: V3904
- People Like R Have No Say About What the Government Does
(Agree/Disagree
52: V123 56: V108 60: V107
64: V174 66: V115 68: V144,517
70: V144 72: V269,559* 74: V2222
76: V3815 78: V351 80: V1030;I421
82: V531 84: V312,1070 88: V937[&976,
90: V509 CWP:V509 1070]
92: V6102 CF: V613
- R Feels That R Has a Pretty Good Understanding of the
Important Political Issues Facing Our Country (Agree/
Disagree)
88: V940[&979,1078] 92: V6105
- R Considers Self Well Qualified to Participate in Politics
(Agree/Disagree)
88: V941[&980,1084] 92: V6106
- R Feels R Could Do as Good a Job in Public Office as Most
People (Agree/Disagree)
88: V942[&981,1092] 92: V6107
- R Thinks R is Better Informed About Politics and Government
than Most People (Agree/Disagree)
88: V943[&982,1095] 92: V6108
- How R Feels About the Way Our Political Leaders Think and
Act
72: V805*
- Which Statement Does R Feel is Closer to the Way Things
Really Are: the Average Citizen Can Have an Influence on
Government Decisions OR the World Is Run by the Few People
in Power and There is Not Much the Little Guy Can Do About
it
72: V71*
- A Few Strong Leaders Could Make this Country Better Than All
the Laws and Talk (Agree/Disagree)
52: V221*
- Is the Present Form of American Government Capable of Solving
the Race Problems in America
72: V99*,700*
- Government Officials Usually Pay Less Attention to a Request
or Complaint from a Black Person than from a White Person
86: V567[&573((B)
- Does R Favor or Oppose a Law Which Would Limit Members of
Congress to No More Than 12 Years of Service in Their
Office
CWP:V2480 92: V3747
- Internal Political Efficacy Index [created from the following
questions: 1) Voting is the only way that people like R can
have any say about how the government runs things; 2) People
like R have no say about what the government does; 3) Sometimes
politics and government seem so complicated that a person like
R can't really understand what's going on]
CF: V636
- External Political Efficacy Index [created from the following
questions: 1) Public officials don't care much what people
like R think; 2) Those we elect to Congress lose touch with
the people pretty quickly; 3) Parties are only interested
in people's votes but not their opinions]
CF: V637
- Citizen Duty Index [created from the following questions:
1) So many other people vote in the national elections that
it doesn't matter much to R whether R votes or not; 2) If
a person doesn't care about how an election comes out then
s/he shouldn't vote in it; 3) It isn't so important to vote
when you know your party doesn't have a chance to win;
4) A good many local elections are not important enough to
bother with]
CF: V638
Parties IV.D.2
- Parties are Only Interested in People's Votes But Not
Their Opinions (Agree/Disagree)
68: V523 70: V149 72: V274,564*
74: V2227 76: V3820 78: V356
80: V1035;I426 CF: V611
- It Isn't so Important to Vote When You Know Your Party
Doesn't Have Any Chance to Win
52: V117 56: V110 60: V109
72: V287 76: V3348 78: V422
80: V143;I433 CF: V617
- How Good a Job Is Being Done for the Country as a Whole by:
(9-Point Scale)
. Political Parties
80: V768;I447
- Over the Years, Should Control of the Government Pass From
One Party to the Other Every So Often or is it All Right
for One Party to Have Control for a Long Time
64: V394
- Are Party Conventions a Good Way to Nominate Candidates for
President or is There a Better Way. Reasons (If Better)
What Would R Suggest
52: V93-95
- How Much Do Political Parties Help Make the Government Pay
Attention to What the People Think: A Good Deal, Some or
Not Much
64: V391 68: V491 70: V156*
72: V95*,576 74: V2235 76: V3742
78: V417 80: V889;I438 CF: V623
- Does R Think that the Parties Pretty Much Keep Their Campaign
Promises or do They Usually do What They Want After the
Election is Over
68: V494
- Best to Pick Candidate Regardless of Party Label (Agree/
Disagree)
80: V357;I414
- Better to be Party Supporter Than Independent (Agree/
Disagree)
80: V358;I415
- Parties Confuse Issues (Agree/Disagree)
80: V359;I416
- Ballots Better Without Party Labels (Agree/Disagree)
80: V360;I417
- America Doesn't Need Political Parties (Agree/Disagree)
80: V361;I418
Political Campaigns/ Elections IV.D.3
- Best to Pick Candidate Regardless of Party Label (Agree/
Disagree)
80: V357;I414
- Ballots Better Without Party Labels (Agree/Disagree)
80: V360;I417
- How Much Do Elections Make Government Pay Attention to What
the People Think : a Good Deal, Some or Not Much
64: V392 66: V177 68: V492
70: V157* 72: V96*,577 74: V2236
76: V3743 78: V418 80: V890;I439
84: V309,1067 88: V959 92: V6124
CF: V624
- A Good Many Local Elections Not Important Enough to Bother
With
52: V121 56: V114 60: V113
72: V290 76: V3351 78: V425
80: V146;I436 CF: V618
- If Person Doesn't Care About How an Election Comes Out then
S/he Shouldn't Vote in it
52: V124 56: V113 60: V112
72: V289 76: V3350 78: V424
80: V145;I435 84: V311,1069 88: V936[&975,
92: V6101 CF: V616 1067]
- It Isn't so Important to Vote When You Know Your Party
Doesn't Have Any Chance to Win
52: V117 56: V110 60: V109
72: V287 76: V3348 78: V422
80: V143;I433 CF: V617
- Does R Think that the Parties Pretty Much Keep Their Campaign
Promises or do They Usually do What They Want After the
Election is Over
68: V494
- So Many Other People Vote in the National Elections that it
Doesn't Matter Much to R Whether R Votes or Not
52: V122 56: V111 60: V110
72: V288 76: V3349 78: V423
80: V144;I434 CF: V615
- The Way People Vote is the Main Thing That Decides How
Things are Run in this Country (Agree/Disagree)
52: V119
- Voting is the Only Way People Like R Can Have Any Say About
How the Government Runs Things (Agree/Disagree)
52: V120 56: V109 60: V108
64: V175 66: V116 68: V142,518
70: V145 72: V270,560* 74: V2223
76: V3816 78: V352 80: V1031;I422
CF: V612
- Which of the Following Qualities Make a 'True American:'
. Voting in Elections
CWP:V2601
IV.E
Traditional Mass Support Components
All items appearing in section IV.E. also appear elsewhere in Chapter
IV, however these items are not organized elsewhere according to the
5 'traditional' NES mass support categories, which correspond to the
topics of 5 derived mass support measures appearing in the American
National Election Studies Data Sourcebook [Chapter 4] and in the
National Election Studies Cumulative Data File, 1952-1988 [v635,636,
637,638,641; in addition, v643 collapses v635, and v644 collapses
v641].
The IV.E.1-IV.E.5. components are the ingredients and results of these
5 Sourcebook and Cumulative File derived measures for: citizen duty,
external political efficacy, internal political efficacy, government
responsiveness, and trust in government.
Citizen Duty Component IV.E.1
- So Many Other People Vote in the National Elections that it
Doesn't Matter Much to R Whether R Votes or Not
52: V122 56: V111 60: V110
72: V288 76: V3349 78: V423
80: V144;I434 CF: V615
- If Person Doesn't Care About How an Election Comes Out then
S/he Shouldn't Vote in it
52: V124 56: V113 60: V112
72: V289 76: V3350 78: V424
80: V145;I435 84: V311,1069 88: V936[&975,
92: V6101 CF: V616 1067]
- It Isn't so Important to Vote When You Know Your Party
Doesn't Have Any Chance to Win
52: V117 56: V110 60: V109
72: V287 76: V3348 78: V422
80: V143;I433 CF: V617
- A Good Many Local Elections Not Important Enough to Bother
With
52: V121 56: V114 60: V113
72: V290 76: V3351 78: V425
80: V146;I436 CF: V618
- Citizen Duty Index [created from the following questions:
1) So many other people vote in the national elections that
it doesn't matter much to R whether R votes or not; 2) If a
person doesn't care about how an election comes out then s/he
shouldn't vote in it; 3) It isn't so important to vote when
you know your party doesn't have a chance to win; 4) A good
many local elections are not important enough to bother with]
CF: V638
External Political Efficacy Component IV.E.2
- Public Officials Don't Care Much What People Like R Think
(Agree/Disagree)
52: V118 56: V115 60: V114
64: V177 66: V118 68: V141,520
70: V147 72: V272,562* 74: V2225
76: V3818 78: V354 80: V1033;I424
82: V532 84: V313,1071 86: V549(A)
88: V938[&977,1072] 90: V508 CWP:V508
92: V6103 CF: V609
- Generally Speaking, Those we Elect to Congress Lose Touch
with the People Pretty Quickly (Agree/Disagree)
68: V521 70: V148 72: V273,563*
74: V2226 76: V3819 78: V355
80: V1034;I425 CF: V610
- Parties are Only Interested in People's Votes But Not
Their Opinions (Agree/Disagree)
68: V523 70: V149 72: V274,564*
74: V2227 76: V3820 78: V356
80: V1035;I426 CF: V611
- External Political Efficacy Index [created from the following
questions: 1) Public officials don't care much what people
like R think; 2) Those we elect to Congress lose touch with
the people pretty quickly; 3) Parties are only interested in
people's votes but not their opinions]
CF: V637
Government Responsiveness Component IV.E.3
- Over the Years, How Much Attention Does the Government Pay to
What the People Think When it Decides What to Do: A Good
Deal, Some, or Not Much
64: V390 68: V490 70: V155*
72: V94*,575 74: V2234 76: V3741
78: V416 80: V888;I437 82: V527
84: V310,1068 88: V960 92: V6125
CF: V622
- How Much Do Political Parties Help Make the Government Pay
Attention to What the People Think: A Good Deal, Some or
Not Much
64: V391 68: V491 70: V156*
72: V95*,576 74: V2235 76: V3742
78: V417 80: V889;I438 CF: V623
- How Much Do Elections Make Government Pay Attention to What
the People Think : a Good Deal, Some or Not Much
64: V392 66: V177 68: V492
70: V157* 72: V96*,577 74: V2236
76: V3743 78: V418 80: V890;I439
84: V309,1067 88: V959 92: V6124
CF: V624
- How Much Attention Do Congressmen Pay to the People Who Elect
Them when They Decide What to do in Congress: a Good Deal,
Some or Not Much
64: V393 68: V493 70: V158*
72: V97*,578 74: V2237 76: V3744
78: V419 80: V891;I440 CF: V625
- Government Responsiveness Index, Full [created from the following
questions: 1) How much attention does the government pay to what
the people think when it decides what to do; 2) How much do
political parties help make the government pay attention to what
the people think; 3) How much do elections make the government
pay attention to what the people think; 4) How much attention do
congressmen pay to the people who elect them when they decide what
to do in Congress]
CF: V641
- Government Responsiveness Index, Collapsed
CF: V644
Internal Political Efficacy Component IV.E.4
- Voting is the Only Way People Like R Can Have Any Say About
How the Government Runs Things (Agree/Disagree)
52: V120 56: V109 60: V108
64: V175 66: V116 68: V142,518
70: V145 72: V270,560* 74: V2223
76: V3816 78: V352 80: V1031;I422
CF: V612
- People Like R Have No Say About What the Government Does
(Agree/Disagree)
52: V123 56: V108 60: V107
64: V174 66: V115 68: V144,517
70: V144 72: V269,559* 74: V2222
76: V3815 78: V351 80: V1030;I421
82: V531 84: V312,1070 88: V937[&976,
90: V509 CWP:V509,2489 1070]
92: V6102 CF: V613
- Sometime Politics and Government Seem So Complicated That a
Person Like R Can't Really Understand What's Going on
(Agree/Disagree)
52: V125 56: V112 60: V111
64: V176 66: V117 68: V143,519
70: V146 72: V271,561* 74: V2224
76: V3817 78: V353 80: V1032;I423
84: V314;1072 88: V939[&978,1075] 90: V510
CWP:V510 92: V6104 CF: V614
- R Feels That R Has a Pretty Good Understanding of the
Important Political Issues Facing Our Country (Agree/
Disagree)
88: V940[&979,1078] 92: V6105
- R Considers Self Well Qualified to Participate in Politics
(Agree/Disagree)
88: V941[&980,1084] 92: V6106
- R Feels R Could Do as Good a Job in Public Office as Most
People (Agree/Disagree)
88: V942[&981,1092] 92: V6107
- R Thinks R is Better Informed About Politics and Government
than Most People (Agree/Disagree)
88: V943[&982,1095] 92: V6108
- Internal Political Efficacy Index [created from the following
questions: 1) Voting is the only way that people like R can
have any say about how the government runs things; 2) People
like R have no say about what the government does; 3) Sometimes
politics and government seem so complicated that a person like
R can't really understand what's going on]
CF: V636
Trust in Government Component IV.E.5
- How Much of the Time Can the Government in Washington Be
Trusted to Do What Is Right: Just About Always, Most of the
Time or Only Some of the Time
58: V157 64: V403 66: V173
68: V504 70: V151 72: V90*,571
74: V2230 76: V3163 78: V347
80: V402;I429 82: V529 84: V1064
86: V548(A) 88: V955 90: V504
CWP:V504,2487 92: V6120 CF: V604
- Is the Government Run by a Few Big Interests Looking Out for
Themselves or is it Run for the Benefit of All the People
58: V158 64: V405 66: V176
68: V505 70: V152 72: V91*,572
74: V2231 76: V3164 78: V348
80: V403;I430 82: V530 84: V1065
88: V957 90: V506 CWP:V506,2488
92: V6122 CF: V605
- Do the People in Government Waste a Lot of the Money We Pay
in Taxes or Waste Some of it or Don't Waste Very Much of it
58: V156 64: V402 68: V503
70: V150 72: V89*,570 74: V2229
76: V3162 78: V346 80: V401;I428
82: V528 84: V1063 88: V956
90: V505 CWP:V505 92: V6121
CF: V606
- Are Almost All of the People Running the Government Smart
People (1958-1972: Who Usually Know What They are Doing) or
Don't Quite a Few of Them Seem to Know What They are Doing
58: V159 64: V404 68: V506
70: V153 72: V92*,573 74: V2232
76: V3165 78: V349 80: V404;I431
CF: V607
- Are Quite a Few People Running the Government (1958-1972: a
Little) Crooked or are Not Very Many or Hardly Any Crooked
(1958-1972: at All)
58: V155 64: V401 68: V507
70: V154 72: V93*,574 74: V2233
76: V3166 78: V350 80: V405;I432
84: V1066 88: V958 90: V507
CWP:V507 92: V6123 CF: V608
- Trust in Government Index, 6-Point Scale [CREATED FROM THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS: 1) HOW MUCH OF THE TIME CAN THE GOVERNMENT IN WASHINGTON
BE TRUSTED TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT; 2) IS THE GOVERNMENT RUN BY A FEW
BIG INTERESTS LOOKING OUT FOR THEMSELVES OR FOR ALL THE PEOPLE;
3) DO THE PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT WASTE A LOT/SOME/NOT MUCH TAX
DOLLARS; 4) ARE PEOPLE RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT SMART OR DON'T QUITE
A FEW KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING; 5) ARE QUITE A FEW/NOT VERY
MANY/HARDLY ANY PEOPLE RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT CROOKED.]
CF: V635
- Trust in Government Index, Collapsed 6-Point Scale
CF: V643
- New Trust in Government Index, 5-Point Scale [CREATED FROM QUESTIONS
1), 2), 3) AND 5) LISTED ABOVE IN THE 6-POINT TRUST IN GOVERNMENT
INDEX]
CF: V646
- New Trust in Government Index, Collapsed 5-Point Scale
CF: V647