We the PeopleWe the People 8th ed.8th ed.

Thomas E. PattersonThomas E. Patterson

PowerPoint PresentationPowerPoint Presentation

byby

Diane Feibel, Ed.D.Diane Feibel, Ed.D.

American Political Culture: American Political Culture: Seeking a More Perfect UnionSeeking a More Perfect Union

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Political Culture: The Core Principles Political Culture: The Core Principles of American Governmentof American Government

American ideals: basis of our national identityAmerican ideals: basis of our national identityPolitical culture: beliefs of a people about their Political culture: beliefs of a people about their

government and politicsgovernment and politicsEuropean (Enlightenment) thought and European (Enlightenment) thought and

practice shaped beliefspractice shaped beliefs

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America’s Core ValuesAmerica’s Core Values

Liberty: freedom to act and think as one Liberty: freedom to act and think as one chooses but no infringement on freedom of chooses but no infringement on freedom of othersothers

Equality: all individuals equal in worth, legal Equality: all individuals equal in worth, legal treatment, and political voicetreatment, and political voice

Self-government: people are ultimate source of Self-government: people are ultimate source of governing authoritygoverning authority

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America’s Core ValuesAmerica’s Core Values

Power and limits of Americans’ idealsPower and limits of Americans’ idealsLofty claim “all men are created equal,” yet Lofty claim “all men are created equal,” yet

slavery existedslavery existedRestricted immigration based on ethnic originRestricted immigration based on ethnic origin

Until 1965 Asian immigration seriously restrictedUntil 1965 Asian immigration seriously restrictedLiberal immigration from EuropeLiberal immigration from Europe

Drive toward a more equal society evident in the Drive toward a more equal society evident in the country’s elaborate system of higher educationcountry’s elaborate system of higher education

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Telling the American Story to ChildrenTelling the American Story to Children

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Politics: The Resolution of ConflictPolitics: The Resolution of Conflict

The social contractThe social contractThomas Hobbes: Subjects surrender freedom for Thomas Hobbes: Subjects surrender freedom for

protectionprotectionJohn Locke: Government cannot deprive subjects John Locke: Government cannot deprive subjects

of certain rightsof certain rightsJean Jacques Rousseau: Government enacts the Jean Jacques Rousseau: Government enacts the

will of the peoplewill of the people

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Politics: The Resolution of ConflictPolitics: The Resolution of Conflict

Rules of the game of politicsRules of the game of politicsDemocracy: our form of governmentDemocracy: our form of government

people govern directly or through elected people govern directly or through elected representativesrepresentatives

Constitutionalism: limits on governmentConstitutionalism: limits on governmentprotection of individual rightsprotection of individual rights

Capitalism: our economic systemCapitalism: our economic systemfree enterprise and self-reliancefree enterprise and self-relianceminimal governmental interferenceminimal governmental interference

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Political Power and Authority: Political Power and Authority: The Control of PolicyThe Control of Policy

Theories of PowerTheories of PowerMajoritarianism: government by the peopleMajoritarianism: government by the peoplePluralism: government by groups (i.e. farmers, Pluralism: government by groups (i.e. farmers,

welfare advocates, lawyers, etc.), not necessarily welfare advocates, lawyers, etc.), not necessarily for the public benefitfor the public benefit

Elitism: government by a fewElitism: government by a fewBureaucratic rule: government by administratorsBureaucratic rule: government by administrators

Who governs?Who governs?

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The Concept of a Political SystemThe Concept of a Political System

Political system: parts of American Political system: parts of American governmentgovernmentParts are separateParts are separateParts connect with each otherParts connect with each otherParts affect and interact with each otherParts affect and interact with each otherDynamic system, changing as neededDynamic system, changing as needed

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American Political SystemAmerican Political System

Five overriding tendencies:Five overriding tendencies:Enduring cultural idealsEnduring cultural idealsFragmentation of governance based on checks Fragmentation of governance based on checks

and balancesand balancesCompetition between diverse groupsCompetition between diverse groupsEmphasis on individual rights and responsibilitiesEmphasis on individual rights and responsibilitiesEconomic and political decision making Economic and political decision making

separate separate economic issues out of political economic issues out of political controlcontrol

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