Political Efficacy

Description

This module combines both external and internal measures of political efficacy. External efficacy is the belief that political systems respond to citizens’ demands, that citizens can have a say in what government does, and that political actions can impact political outcomes. Internal efficacy is the personal confidence in one’s own ability to understand political issues, participate effectively in politics, and take political action.

Harmonized Variables

eff_1a | Politics is Complicated

Harmonized variable that combines values from other ‘politics is complicated’ variables.  Target variable approximates the proportion of people that think politics is too complicated versus the proportion think it can be understood, with midpoint or indifferent values omitted. 0 = agree, 1 = disagree

eff_2a | People Do Not Influence Government

Harmonized variable that combines values from other ‘people do not influence government’ variables.  Target variable approximates the proportion of people do not influence government versus the proportion that think people do, with midpoint or indifferent values omitted. 0 = agree, 1 = disagree

eff_3a | Officials Pay Attention

Harmonized variable that combines values from other ‘officials pay attention’ variables.  Target variable approximates the proportion of people that think officials do not pay attention or care versus the proportion that think they do, with midpoint or indifferent values omitted. 0 = disagree, 1 = agree

eff_4a | Voting Makes a Difference

Harmonized variable that combines values from other ‘voting makes a difference’ variables.  Target variable approximates the proportion of people that think voting does not make a difference versus the proportion that think it does, with midpoint or indifferent values omitted. 0 = disagree, 1 = agree

 

Politics is Complicated

eff_102a | Politics is Complicated

Some people say that politics is so complicated that people like us often cannot understand what is going on.  Others are of the opinion that it is not so complicated and that they can understand what is going on.  Which statement is closest to your way of thinking? 1 = politics is so complicated that isn’t understood, 2 = politics isn’t so complicated and is understood

eff_104a | Politics is Complicated

Do you agree/disagree with the following statements: Sometimes politics and government seems so complicated that a person like me can’t really understand what is going on.  (Alternative: Sometimes, politics are so complicated that I cannot understand what is happening). 1 = strongly agree, 2 = somewhat agree, 3 = somewhat disagree, 4 = strongly disagree

eff_105a | Politics is Complicated

I am going to read out some statements about society and politics.  Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement.  Politics and government are so complicated that sometimes I don’t understand what’s happening. 1 = strongly agree, 2 = somewhat agree, 3 = neither agree nor disagree, 4 = somewhat disagree, 5 = strongly disagree

eff_105b | Politics is Complicated

How often does politics seem so complicated that you can’t really understand what is going on? 1 = frequently, 2 = regularly, 3 = occasionally, 4 = seldom, 5 = never

People Do Not Influence Government

eff_204a | People Do Not Influence Government

People like me don’t have any influence over what the government does. 1 = strongly agree, 2 = somewhat agree, 3 = somewhat disagree, 4 = strongly disagree

eff_205a | People Do Not Influence Government

I am going to read out some statements about society and politics.  Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement.  Generally speaking, people like me don’t have the power to influence government policy or actions. 1 = strongly agree, 2 = somewhat agree, 3 = neither agree nor disagree, 4 = somewhat disagree, 5 = strongly disagree

Officials Pay Attention

eff_304b | Officials Pay Attention

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements: Government officials seriously consider citizens’ opinions. 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = agree, 4 = strongly agree

eff_304c | Officials Care About Citizens

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements: Our political leaders care about ordinary citizens. 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = agree, 4 = strongly agree

eff_305b | Officials Pay Little Attention

I am going to read out some statements about society and politics.  Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement.  Government officials pay little attention to what citizens like me think. 1 = strongly agree, 2 = somewhat agree, 3 = neither agree nor disagree, 4 = somewhat disagree, 5 = strongly disagree

Voting Makes a Difference

eff_405c | Voting Makes a Difference

Some people say that no matter who people vote for, it won’t make any difference to what happens. Others say that who people vote for can make a difference to what happens.  Using the scale on this card, (where ONE means that voting won’t make a difference to what happens and FIVE means that voting can make a difference), where would you place yourself? 1 = won’t make a difference, 2, 3, 4, 5 = can make a difference