Political Culture & Ideology

What is political culture? political culture is a reflection of how “We, the people” think our government should operate Shared beliefs, values, and norms citizens hold about their relationship to gov’t and each other. Some elements of political culture have changed while some have remained constant --Constant: liberty (most cherished) --Change: ideas about suffrage

Other characteristics of political culture include… Liberty Patrick Henry- Give me liberty or give me death Taxation without Representation Bill of Rights Miranda Rights

Other characteristics of political culture include… Democracy No man is above the law (Nixon, Watergate); called the rule of law When government doesn‘twork we can abolish it (Locke) Democratic consensus (popular soveriengty, majority rule)

Other characteristics of political culture include… Equality Started with Thomas Jefferson Not always consistent with policy (slavery, schools) Political equality: all have equal protection under the law 14th Amendment (citizenship clause, due process clause, equal protection clause) Social equality or equal opportunity: everyone has the chance to succeed

Other characteristics of political culture include… Individualism Right to make choices Must understand since everyone has this right, someone has to lose Self-reliance (started with Puritans) Growing dependence on gov’t strays from this (ex. FDR’s New Deal, LBJ’s Great Society, Obama’s bailouts)

Other characteristics of political culture include… Civic Duty/Obligation Registering to vote Being informed Voting College acceptance often determined in part by civic duty

Other characteristics of political culture include… Social Capital People coming together, listening to each other, exchanging ideas Clubs, meetings, belonging Important to strengthen communities, get new perspective Examples: neighborhood watch, town council, local DAR chapter, even little league

Other characteristics of political culture include… Suffrage Originally only white, property owning men, 21 or older (1/6th of white men) Elimination of property rights; all men over 21 (A. Jackson) 15th Amendment: all black men (Reconstruction Era) 19th Amendment: all women (Progressive Era) 26th Amendment: all citizens 18+ (Vietnam War)

Other characteristics of political culture include… Political Efficacy understanding the issues, becoming engaged in the political system with the intent of making a difference responsibility with universal suffrage

Political Ideology Refers to a constant pattern of ideas or beliefs about political values and the role of government, including how it should work and how it actually does work Two major schools of ideology dominate American politics: liberalism and conservatism Two minor schools are also prevalent: socialism and libertarianism

Liberals vs. Conservatives Major difference is the size/scope of government (personal liberty vs social equality) For example, should an individual who works hard and earns a fortune be expected to pay additional taxes so a less fortunate, also hardworking, individual receives health care at no expense? Does this cause the demise of Puritan Work Ethic? (called the Protestant ethic by political philosopher Max Weber)

Classic Liberalism Favored limited government, promoted individualism Overtime this has changed significantly in US US is backwards from rest of the world in terms of labeling parties

Liberals Government intervention in the economy is necessary to remedy the defects of capitalism Equal access to health care, housing, education Affirmative action Pro-union Government should control/correct social issues Reduce inequalities of wealth (maintain minimum level of income) – stipends, technology, etc. Cut defense spending Favor raising taxes to pay for government programs

Presidential History Most liberal presidents (dems): Andrew Jackson Franklin D Roosevelt Barack H Obama Moderate presidents (still dems): Harry Truman Bill Clinton

Criticism of Liberalism Rely too much on govt to solve nation’s problems Higher taxes hurt the average American Govt has to be limited to serve our best interests Power tends to corrupt Undermine self-reliance/competitive spirit Welfare will destroy individual initiative

Conservatives Enhance personal liberty by keeping government small Sole functions of government are to protect us from foreign enemies, preserve law & order, encourage economic growth (free and fair trade) Celebrate the individual – you decide to make what you want out of your life Pro-business (trust the private sector to solve problems) Favor vouchers for schools, choices in health benefits, privatizing Social Security, keep military strong Favor tax cuts

Social Conservatives Focus less on economy, and more on family values Represent the Christian right Government should act to protect traditional morals

Presidential History Conservative: George Washington (1789-1797) James Monroe (1817-1825) Grover Cleveland (1885-1889, 1893-1897) Warren G. Harding (1921-1923) Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929) Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) George W. Bush (2001-2009) (with respect to taxes and Supreme Court nominations)

Criticism of Conservatism not thinking of the whole People who make more should pay more fail to deal with social issues like racism and sexism Criticism of social conservatives – US is supposed to have freedom of religion & separation of church and state

Socialism Aka mixed system Government controls economy Politically free Karl Marx (transitional stage from capitalism to communism) Socialists would… Nationalize certain industries Institute a public jobs program (all who wanted to work could) Tax the wealthy more heavily Reduce spending

Libertarianism Cherishes individual liberty, sharply limited government Want the government to stay small and far away Oppose most government programs Favor armed services that would only act if US were attacked Oppose most government regulation Favor massive tax cuts “live and let live”

Words of caution 1. Political labels have different meanings across national boundaries as well as over time 2. Ideological terms or labels can be confusing - You can’t lump everyone in the same group Ex. You can be social liberal but fiscally conservative (how should you vote?) Ex. You can be socially conservative but fiscally liberal (how should you vote?)

Distribution of Ideology more conservatives than liberals very few extreme conservatives or extreme liberals (in 2000, only 2% viewed themselves as extreme conservatives, only 1% extreme liberals) MOST (75%) Americans consider themselves moderate both major parties target centrist or moderate voters in elections

2012 Election Results

Ideological Views Most Americans do not organize their attitudes systematically Very low consistency among various attitudes and opinions