1. Student Political Perceptions
Survey Research
Professor James Davenport
Rose State College

2. Project Description
 Survey research designed to:
 Identify student perceptions about various issues in American
politics
 Identify the general ideological framework students possess
entering into college (or at least entering American Government
courses)
 Identify how well students understand the ideological labels used
in American Politics
 Scope of Project
 Survey of 600 students across three separate institutions
 This Presentation
 308 Completed Surveys
 Rose State – 128
 OCCC – 180

3. Methodology
 Survey Instrument
 49 Questions
 Average time to complete is approximately 30 minutes
 Delivered to students in American Government courses
 By Professor Davenport
 Non-Random Selection
 Covers:
 Ideological Framework questions (freedom, equality, social
justice, role of government, etc.)
 Voter/Party Registration
 Asks students to self-identify their ideological preference
(liberal, conservative, libertarian, communitarian)
 Perceptions about specific issues

4. Demographics of Participants
 Age
 25 and below – 80.5%
 26 and above – 19.5%
 Employment
 Employed Full-time – 32.9%
 Employed Part-time – 43.2%
 Unemployed, seeking work – 11.3%
 Unemployed, not seeking work – 8.6%
 Student Status
 Full-time at 2-year institution – 58.5%
 Part-time at 2-year institution – 28.4%

5. Demographics Continued
 Household Income
 Below $65,000 per year – 63.3%
 Above $65,000 per year – 20.2%
 Unknown – 16.5%
 Sex
 Female – 48.9%
 Male – 51.1%
 Race
 White – 55.9%
 Black/African American – 10.2%
 Hispanic/Latino – 9.9%
 Two or More – 9.9%
 Native American/Alaskan – 5.3%
 Asian – 5.6%
 Other – 3%

6. Demographics Continued
 Year in College
 Freshman – 63.9%
 Sophomore – 27.2%
 Junior – 3.9%
 Senior - .7%
 Non-Traditional/Transfer – 4.3%
 Institution
 Rose State College – 41.6%
 OCCC – 58.4%

7. Demographics Continued
 Ideological Self-Identification
 Liberal – 42.3%
 Conservative – 40%
 Libertarian – 11.3%
 Communitarian – 6.3%
 Registered to Vote
 Yes – 49.5%
 Democrat – 29.8%
 Republican – 39.8%
 Independent – 28.2%
 No – 46.3%
 Unsure – 4.2%

8. Ideological Statements
 “Government should be in complete control of economic and
moral behavior.” 2.6%
 “Government should extensively regulate economic and moral
behavior.” – 14.8%
 “Government should extensively regulate economic
behavior, but minimally regulate moral behavior.” – 40.3%
 Liberals – 46.8%
 Conservatives – 31.1%
 Libertarians – 38.2%
 Communitarians – 57.9%
 Government should extensively regulate moral behavior, but
minimally regulate economic behavior.” – 11.5%

9. Ideological Statements
 “Government should have few restrictions on economic or moral
behavior.” – 25.9%
 Liberals – 23%
 Conservatives – 30.2%
 Libertarians – 38.2%
 Communitarians – 5.2%
 “Government should not regulate either economic or moral
behavior.” – 4.9%

10. Defining “Freedom”
 “Freedom is the absence of external restrictions on
the opportunity to achieve my goals.” – 53.4%
 Liberals – 50.4%
 Conservatives – 58.3%
 Libertarians – 58.8%
 Communitarians – 31.6%
 “Freedom means having the necessary elements of
success provided to me.” – 29.2%
 “Freedom means the absence of certain societal
conditions that could interfere with my success.” – 17%

11. Defining “Equality”
 “Equality means that everyone has the same opportunity.”
- 26.9
 “Equality means that everyone has the same
rights/freedoms.” – 61.8%
 Liberals – 59.2%
 Conservatives – 73.1%
 Libertarians – 50%
 Communitarians – 44.4%
 “Equality occurs when everyone has the same outcomes.”
– 7.9%

12. Defining “Social Justice”
 “Social justice means that individuals enjoy a minimal share of
the benefits of society.” – 3.3%
 “Social justice means that individuals share a responsibility for
the well-being of others.” – 16.2%
 “Social justice means each individual’s fundamental rights
are respected and protected.” – 59.4%
 Liberals – 58.9%
 Conservatives – 57.6%
 Libertarians – 67.6%
 Communitarians – 63.2%
 “Social justice means that rules are applied equally without
guarantee of a particular outcome.” – 21.1%

13. Attitudes Towards Marriage
 “The national government should create uniform marriage
laws for all U.S. citizens.” – 14.1%
 Conservatives – 21%
 Communitarians – 26.3%
 “States should be able to make their own marriage laws
reflecting the values and opinions of their citizens.” –
18.6%
 Conservatives – 29.4%
 Communitarians – 21.1%

14. Attitudes Towards Marriage
 “Other than health or safety issues, neither the national
government nor state governments should be involved in
marriage.” – 32%
 Liberals – 37%
 Conservatives – 22.7%
 Libertarians – 50%
 Communitarians – 21.1%
 “Consenting adults should be able to enter into whatever
relationships they choose, and marriages should be
governed by existing contract laws.” – 35%
 Liberals – 44.1%
 Conservatives – 26.9%
 Libertarians – 29.4%
 Communitarians – 31.6%

15. Attitudes Towards Marriage
 “I am not morally opposed to same sex marriage and
believe it should be legal.” – 63.8%
 Liberals – 80.8%
 Conservatives – 42.5%
 Libertarians – 63.6%
 Communitarians – 84.2%
 “I am not morally opposed to same sex marriage but believe it
should be banned.” – 5.3%
 “I am morally opposed to same sex marriage and believe it
should be banned.” – 15.8%
 Conservatives – 30%
 “I am morally opposed to same sex marriage but believe it
should be legal.” – 15.1%
 Conservatives – 23.3%
 Libertarians – 21%

16. Attitudes Towards Abortion
 “I am strongly pro-choice.” – 25.9%
 Communitarians – 42.1%
 “I am somewhat pro-choice.” – 28.9%
 Liberals – 33.1%
 Conservatives – 22.5%
 Libertarians – 41.2%
 “I am somewhat pro-life.” – 13.4%
 “I am strongly pro-life.” 31.5%
 Conservatives – 51.7%
 Libertarians – 26.5%
 Communitarians – 26.3%

17. Attitudes Towards Abortion
 “I am not morally opposed to abortion and believe it should
be available at any time during a pregnancy for whatever
reason a women chooses.” – 15.7%
 Liberals – 22.2%
 Communitarians – 21.1%
 “I am not morally opposed to abortion and believe it should
be available in the first six months of a pregnancy for
whatever reason a woman chooses.” – 17%
 Liberals – 23.8%
 Communitarians – 21.1%
 “I am not morally opposed to abortion and believe it should
be available anytime during a pregnancy but only for cases
of rape, incest, or life/health of the mother.” – 17.4%
 Libertarians – 27.3%

18. Attitudes Towards Abortion
 “I am morally opposed to abortion and believe it should
only be available prior to the viability of the fetus and only
in cases of rape, incest, or the life/health of the mother.” –
23.3%
 Conservatives – 35%
 Communitarians – 31.6%
 “I am morally opposed to abortion and believe it should
only be available in the first six months of pregnancy and
only for cases of rape, incest, or the life/health of the
mother.” – 8.9%
 “I am morally opposed to abortion and believe it should be
illegal at all stages of pregnancy with no exceptions.” –
17.7%
 Conservatives – 25.8%
 Libertarians – 21.2%

19. Attitudes Towards Poverty
 “The majority of the poor are in that situation because of
their own decisions.” – 46.5%
 Liberals – 37.1%
 Conservatives – 57.7%
 Libertarians – 53.1%
 Communitarians – 26.1%
 “The majority of the poor are in that situation because they are
lazy.” – 8.1%
 “The majority of the poor are in that situation because the
wealthy hoard their resources.” – 10.1%
 “The majority of the poor are in that situation due to
circumstances beyond anyone’s control.” – 35.4%
 Liberals – 46%
 Conservatives – 26.7%
 Libertarians – 28.1%
 Communitarians – 26.3%

20. Attitudes Towards Poverty
 “Public assistance programs are successful at reducing poverty.”
– 16.1%
 Liberals – 20.6%
 Communitarians – 26.3%
 “Public assistance programs would reduce poverty if they were
properly funded.” – 13.8%
 Communitarians – 31.6%
 “Public assistance programs are unsuccessful at reducing
poverty because they encourage dependency on the
government.” – 63.5%
 Liberals – 59.5%
 Conservatives – 70.1%
 Libertarians – 76.5%
 Communitarians – 36.8%
 “Public assistance programs are unsuccessful at reducing
poverty because they are wasteful and inefficient.” – 6.6%

21. Attitudes Towards Poverty
 “Wealth redistribution is necessary to correct the failure of the
free market to provide a more equal distribution of incomes.” –
24.1%
 Communitarians – 68.4%
 “Wealth redistribution is an inefficient but necessary approach to
reducing poverty.” – 22.8%
 Liberals – 30.7%
 “Because of issues such as inefficiency, unintended
consequences, and dependence on government, wealth
redistribution does not reduce poverty.” – 41%
 Liberals – 35.6%
 Conservatives – 43.3%
 Libertarians – 52.9%
 Communitarians – 21%
 “Wealth redistribution slows economic growth and negatively
impacts the poor.” – 12.1%

22. Attitudes Towards Poverty
 “The best system to reduce poverty is one in which
households must qualify for various benefits based on
household size, income, and other factors and in
which benefits are restricted for specific uses.” –
57.8%
 Liberals – 55.4%
 Conservatives – 64.1%
 Libertarians – 55.9%
 Communitarians – 42.1%
 “The best system to reduce poverty is one in which a
guaranteed minimum income is provided by the
government to all citizens over the age of 21 and
established at the poverty line.” – 22.3%
 Communitarians – 42.1%

23. Attitudes Towards Poverty
 “The best system for reducing poverty is one in which
those whose household incomes fall below a certain
amount would receive a cash benefit through the tax code
based on household size and income.” – 19.9%

24. Attitudes Towards Poverty
 “The minimum wage ensures that people earn a
decent income for their work.” – 50.3%
 Liberals – 48.8%
 Conservatives – 53.8%
 Libertarians – 38.2%
 Communitarians – 55.6%
 “The minimum wage increases to total amount of wealth
within society.” – 7.9%
 “The minimum wage has no real impact on economic
growth or wealth creation.” – 18.8%
 Libertarians – 32.4%

25. Attitudes Towards Poverty
 “The minimum wage reduces employment opportunities for
the least educated and least experienced employees.” –
18.1%
 Liberals – 22%
 Libertarians – 32.4%
 “The minimum wage encourages employers to find ways to
replace human labor with technology.” – 4.9%

26. Attitudes Towards Economics
 “Economic growth benefits the most people when there are
few restrictions placed on businesses or on the voluntary
exchanges between individuals.” – 49.3%
 Liberals – 41.6%
 Conservatives – 58%
 Libertarians – 58.8%
 Communitarians – 33%
 “Economic growth benefits the most people when government
actively regulates businesses and limits the types of exchanges
that can occur between individuals – 39.1%
 Liberals – 47.2%
 Conservatives – 32.8%
 Libertarians – 29.4%
 Communitarians – 33%

27. Attitudes Towards Economics
 “Economic growth benefits the most people when
government determines what should be produced, for
whom it should be produced, and sets prices.” – 11.5%
 Communitarians – 33%

28. Attitudes Towards Economics
 “Capitalism is the most powerful force for widespread
wealth creation and economic growth and should be
interfered with as little as possible.” – 18%
 Conservatives – 25.8%
 Libertarians – 20.6%
 Communitarians – 21%
 “Capitalism has been a positive overall force for
wealth creation and economic growth but must be
regulated to ensure an equitable distribution of its
benefits.” – 40.5%
 Liberals – 36.2%
 Conservatives – 47.5%
 Libertarians – 41.1%
 Communitarians – 31.6%

29. Attitudes Towards Economics
 “Capitalism tends to result in large differences in wealth,
with the majority of people not benefiting from it and needs
extensive regulation and correction.” – 29.4%
 Liberals – 40.9%
 Conservatives – 18.3%
 Libertarians – 29.4%
 Communitarians – 26.3%
 “Capitalism creates widespread poverty, benefits only a
very few individuals, and reduces total economic growth.”
– 12.1%
 Communitarians – 21%

30. Attitudes Towards Economics
 “A household income between $100,000 and $249,999
annually for four people is ‘wealthy’”. – 26.1%
 Liberals – 28%
 Conservatives – 26.1%
 Libertarians – 26.5%
 “A household income between $250,000 and $499,999
annually for four people is ‘wealthy’”. – 29.4%
 Liberals – 28.8%
 Conservatives – 27.7%
 Libertarians – 35.3%
 Communitarians – 33.3%

31. Attitudes Towards Economics
 “A household income between $500,000 and $749,999
annually for four people is ‘wealth’”. – 20.1%
 Liberals – 20%
 Conservatives – 21.8%

32. Attitudes Towards Economics
 “Wealthy households should pay between 20% and 25% of
their income in federal income taxes.” – 13.2%
 Wealthy households should pay between 26% and 30% of
their income in federal income taxes. – 11.9%
 “Wealthy households should pay between 31% and 35% of
their income in federal income taxes.” – 14.9%
 “The percentage of income paid in federal income taxes
should be the same regardless of household income.” –
34.7%
 Liberals – 21.6%
 Conservatives – 50%
 Libertarians – 29.4%
 Communitarians – 31.6%

33. Attitudes Towards Economics
 “I prefer a tax system in which wealthier people pay a
higher percentage of their incomes in taxes than
others do.” – 42.6%
 Liberals – 54.4%
 Conservatives – 27.5%
 Libertarians – 41.1%
 Communitarians – 63.2%
 “I prefer a tax system in which all taxpayers pay the same
percentage of their income in taxes.” – 41%
 Liberals – 27.2%
 Conservatives – 55.8%
 Libertarians – 41.1%
 Communitarians – 36.8%
 “I prefer a tax system in which people pay taxes when they
purchase goods and services.” 16.4%

34. Attitudes on Health Care
 “Health care would be more affordable, more accessible,
and of higher quality of there were less regulation of health
care providers and insurers.” – 31.1%
 Liberals – 23.8%
 Conservatives – 40.3%
 Libertarians – 35.3%
 Communitarians – 21%
 “Health care would be more affordable, more accessible, and of
higher quality if consumers had greater knowledge about the
quality, prices, and treatment options provided by health care
providers. – 28.2%
 Liberals – 25.4%
 Conservatives – 32.8%
 Libertarians – 23.5%
 Communitarians – 21%

35. Attitudes Towards Health Care
 “The Affordable Care Act strikes the right balance between
free market principles and government regulation of health
care.” – 11.1%
 Health care should be provided by the government in order
to ensure affordability, accessibility, and high quality.” –
29.5%
 Liberals – 38.9%
 Conservatives – 18.5%
 Libertarians – 26.5%
 Communitarians – 42.1%

36. Attitudes Towards Education
 “To improve education government should increase
spending on schools.” – 36.8%
 Liberals – 40.5%
 Conservatives – 37%
 Libertarians – 26.5%
 Communitarians – 36.8%
 “To improve education the national government should
implement standards that students in all schools must
meet in order to graduate.” – 15.1%
 “To improve education government should focus on
improving student test scores.” – 3.6%
 “To improve education government should provide
students and parents greater choices in where and how
their children will be educated.” – 12.2%

37. Attitudes Towards Education
 “To improve education schools should create
individualized learning experiences that allow students
to choose from various options.” – 30.9%
 Liberals – 32.5%
 Conservatives – 24.4%
 Libertarians – 44.1%
 Communitarians – 36.8%

38. Attitudes Towards Government Provision
 “A living wage should be provided by some level of
government.”
 Yes + All of the Above – 60.7%
 Liberals – 71.7%
 Conservatives – 51.7%
 Libertarians – 32.3%
 Communitarians – 89.5%
 No – 39.3%
 “Adequate housing should be provided by some level of
government.”
 Yes + All of the Above – 54.8%
 Liberals – 66.1%
 Conservatives – 42.5%
 Libertarians – 35.3%
 Communitarians – 89.5%
 No – 45.2%

39. Attitudes Towards Government Provision
 “Health care should be provided by some level of
government.”
 Yes + All of the Above – 77.2%
 Liberals – 91.3%
 Conservatives – 61.7%
 Libertarians – 64.7%
 Communitarians – 100%
 No – 22.8%
 “A post-secondary education should be provided by
some level of government.”
 Yes + All of the Above – 68.8%
 Liberals – 77.2%
 Conservatives – 59.2%
 Libertarians – 52.9%
 Communitarians – 100%
 No – 31.2%

40. Attitudes Towards Government Provision
 “Adequate transportation should be provided by some level
of government.”
 Yes + All of the Above – 55.5%
 Liberals – 63%
 Conservatives – 48.3%
 Libertarians – 38.2%
 Communitarians – 78.9%
 No – 45.5%
 “The government should not provide any of the listed
benefits.”
 Agree – 11%
 Disagree – 89%

41. Preliminary Conclusions
 Entry-level college students are not familiar with the
meanings attached to current ideological labels
 Self-labels do not match ideological statements
 Large plurality of each ideological label concentrated in the
modern “liberal” ideology statement
 Communitarians and conservatives did not select either
statement that reflects the current understanding of those
labels
 Second largest plurality was centered in the “libertarian”
ideological statement
 Definitions of “Freedom,” “Equality,” and ‘Social Justice” do not
reflect the intellectual divisions that have developed between the
various ideological perspectives
 Majority of ‘liberals” still identify with a definition of freedom that has
been somewhat rejected by the thought leaders within that
ideological framework
 Communitarians equally divided among all three definitions of
freedom

42. Preliminary Conclusions
 Entry-level college students do not appear to identify
the connections between issues/questions
 Over 60% said they want “some level of government” to provide a
living wage, but only 22% selected the option for a “guaranteed
minimum income.”
 Over 77% said they want “some level of government” to provide
health care, but less than 30% said that health care should be
provided by the government so it will be more “affordable,
accessible, and higher quality.”
 Over 49% said economic growth benefits the most people when
there are few regulations on business or individual exchanges, but
only 18% said capitalism “should be interfered with as little as
possible.”
 Just below 35% said “the percentage of income tax paid should be
the same regardless of household income,” but 41% said they
would prefer a tax system in which all taxpayers pay the same
percentage in taxes.”

43. Preliminary Conclusions
 Further investigation is necessary
 Project is only 50% complete
 Responses from UCO may change overall results – comparison
between entry-level students at a 4-year institution and 2-year
institutions will be important to note
 Follow-up research
 Identify what drives the ideological self-identification of
students
 What creates the apparent disconnect between answers to
similar questions
 Exploring the student understandings of various definitions
and those understandings’ impact on student responses to
various policy questions