American Political CultureChapter 4

Political Culture• Definition: The widely-shared beliefs, values,

and norms that citizens share about their government.

• Differs from Ideology:– Integrated set of beliefs and values that shape

a person’s views– Political culture consists of fundamental

assumptions about how the political process should operate, Political ideology is a consistent set of views an individual might have regarding governmental policies

Characteristics of Political CultureLiberty

Americans are preoccupied with their rights.I can do what I want, I’m American!!

Characteristics of Political CultureEquality

– Political equality more than economic equality– Americans support free enterprise, and also support limits on

marketplace freedom– Commitment to economic individualism (economic freedom over

equality)– Believe in equality of opportunity more than equality

of result• Everyone should have an equal vote and an equal chance to

participate and succeed.– American Dream: Reverence for property/capitalism/chance

to acquire wealth– FDR’s “second Bill of Rights” (1944) ensuring economic

security– False Consciousness (as opposed to class consciousness

historically associated with Europe)

Characteristics of Political CultureThe conflict lies between liberty associated

with capitalism and equality associated with democracy!In Progressive Era to bring corporations under

controlIn 1930s to smooth out ill effects of capitalismIn 1960s with Great Society programs

Characteristics of Political CultureDemocracy

A form of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law.

– Americans think government officials should be accountable to the people

Characteristics of Political CultureCivic Duty

– Americans generally feel people ought to take community affairs seriously and help out when they can

– Political scientist Robert Putnam uses, as an example of the decline in social capital, the decline in the number of people who participate in bowling leagues. The number of people who bowl has increased, but the number of people who bowl in leagues has declined. With a decline in such social networks, there is less likelihood of people coming together, listening to each other, exchanging ideas -> consequently a smaller degree of civic duty.

Characteristics of Political CultureIndividualism/rugged individualism (as opposed to collectivism/statism)

A characteristically American view is that, barring some disability, individuals are responsible for their own actions and well-being.

Characteristics of Political CultureGROUP WORK1. Need to form 5 groups of equal numbers2. Each group assigned one of the characteristics

of U.S. political culture3. One member get pass and go to library for a 3’

sheet of butcher paper4. Remaining members of group work on the

following:1. Define characteristic in own words (5th Grader)2. 5 examples of your characteristic3. An example of conflict between the other 4

characteristics and yours4. Put on butcher paper to present to class

Characteristics of Political CultureQuestions to answer about our political culture

1. How do we know that the American people share these beliefs?

2. How can we explain the existence in our society of behavior that is obviously inconsistent with them?

3. Why has there been so much political conflict in our history?

Distrust of GovernmentSince the late 1950’s there has been a steady

decline in trust of government to do the right thing1960s Vietnam1970s Watergate/Nixon resignation1990s Clinton impeachment 2004-07 Bush war in Iraq2008-now Recession/war/bailouts, need I go

on??? Brief bump up with Reagan and briefly after 9/11

Political EfficacyThe sense that one can both understand and

influence public policyInternal efficacy: the ability to understand and

take part in politicsExternal efficacy: the willingness of the state to

respond to the citizenryAmericans more likely to score higher on the

efficacy scale than citizens in Germany, Great Britain, or the Netherlands

Americans less likely to vote but more likely to regularly discuss politics, sign petitions or solve community problems

Political ToleranceMore in the abstract than in the concreteAmericans agree with: freedom of speech,

majority rule, and the right to circulate petitionsAmericans not very tolerant of groups they dislike

Would you permit these group to hold meetings in your community’s civic auditorium? KKK Right-to-life group Gays organizing for homosexual rights Atheists preaching against God Reverend Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church Protestants holding a revival meeting PETA

Political ToleranceAmericans are generally becoming more

tolerant, however, some would deny rights to specific groups

Most Americans believe that the nation is too tolerant of harmful behaviors; defense of common moral standards is more important than protection of individual rights

Still, most are willing to allow expression by those with whom they disagree

Political ToleranceSo…how do very unpopular groups survive?

Most people don’t act on beliefsUsually no consensus exists on whom to

persecuteCourts are sufficiently insulated from public

opinion to enforce constitutional protections