Structure and Consistency in Public Opinion: the Role of Core Beliefs and Values

Research in public opinion and mass belief systems has provided numerous insights into the organization of political attitudes and beliefs and levels of political sophistication in the public. However, having found that most people do not structure their beliefs ideologically, this literature is of limited usefulness in understanding how people do form their political attitudes and beliefs. Another large body of literature suggests that specific attitudes and beliefs are in part a reflection of people's core beliefs and values. This paper examines the role of three core beliefs-support for equality of opportunity, economic individualism, and the free enterprise system-in structuring political beliefs and evaluations.