Essential Question: What is a political culture?

Bell ringer In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. - “Inaugural Address,” President John F. Kennedy, 1961 To which of these responsibilities of citizenship does this excerpt speak? A) voting one’s conscience B) running for political office C) engaging in community activism D) volunteering for a worthy cause

Political culture Every country has one A set of widely shared beliefs, values, and norms concerning the ways that political and economic life out to be carried out Defines the relationship of citizens to government, to one another, and to the economy A good understanding of a country’s of country’s political culture can help you make sense of the way a country’s government is set up, as well as the political decision its leaders make

American culture May share beliefs, values, and norms with other countries but each countries political culture is unique Conflictual political culture Is one in which different groups (or subcultures) clash with opposing beliefs and ides Example: ????? 1970s-Punk Rock ideology of rebellion Consensual political culture Experiences less conflict Example: ???? Bipartisan politics All cultures contain values that overlap and conflict Which are we? Why?

Alexis De Tocqueville An early observer of American political culture Came to US during 1830s to investigate why American democracy seemed so successful He is French and well…..France just could not seem to get handle on democracy

Democracy in America He identified several factors he believed critical to American success Abundant and fertile land Countless opportunities for people to acquire land and make a living Lack of a feudal system that blocked others’ ambitions An independent spirit encouraged by frontier living Many years have passed but these factors helped shape our basic values of liberty, individualism, equal opportunity, democracy, rule of law, and civic duty

Shared values of Americans Grounded in 18th century enlightenment philosophy Other values have been added Some support original ones, some conflict

1. Liberty Probably most important inspiration to Am Rev Remains core value today Based on John Locke idea of Life, Liberty. Pursuit of happiness

equality Jefferson refers to this in Declaration of Independence “all men are created equal” Most Americans do not believe every is equal in a sense of the word, basic beliefs in equality of opportunity and equal treatment before the law

Individualism Values of equality and liberty are complimented by a commitment to the importance and dignity of the individual Individuals have both the rights and responsibilities Rugged Individualism A belief that individuals are responsible for their own well being and that the strength of our system lies in the ability of individuals to be left alone to compete for success The “common sense” of people and their ability to not only take care of themselves but choose their government leaders as well

democracy Government should be based on consent of governed Legitimacy lies in the hands of the people Majority rule But emphasis on liberty and individualism causes us to believe that rights of minority should be protected as well

Rule of law Belief that government is based on a body of law applied equally, impartially, and justly Central to American political culture Stands in opposition to Rule by an Individual To many Americans this means following the whims of a dictator

Civic duty Tocqueville noted that Americans of early 19th century had a well-developed sense of community and individual responsibility to support community efforts Is this same today?

Changing American Values Industrial Revolution Radically changed early American values Most radical was economic change with increase in the inequality in distribution of wealth and income By end of century most wealth lay in hands of few “robber barons” Brought out inherent conflicts between core values already established Capitalism Before 1880s Personal wealth based on land ownership Capitalism-wealth based on money and other capital goods Becomes an additional shared political value that compliments individualism and freedom Free enterprise Economic competition without restraint from government Same time period

New values Reinforced the older emphasis on individualism Early Americans sought their fortune by claiming and farming new land by their own individual effort entrepreneurs of the late 19th century were doing same thing Conflicts arise New commitment conflicted and tensions arose Equality Example Robber barons were accused of exploiting workers and limiting competition in order to get ahead themselves Liberty Mine owners paid workers in script which they could only use at company stores and only for rent of company houses

Equality of opportunity Monopolies made it hard for others to break into industry Resolution Legislate new government regulations to ensure fair treatment in the marketplace Another belief was added: government responsibility for the general welfare

Value changes since the 1930s Preamble of Constitution Promotion of the General Welfare” takes on new meaning in 1930s Why?

Values change since 1930s Preamble of Constitution Promotion of the General Welfare” takes on new meaning in 1930s Why? October 29, 1929 Wall Street Crash “Black Tuesday”-Great Depression begins Government answer Hoover-Leave it alone market will right itself-Hoovervilles get him pushed out of office Roosevelt’s New Deal Affirmation of the government’s responsibility for the welfare of its people 1944 inaugural address 2nd Bill of Rights Reflected his firm commitment to “economic security and independence” Example: everyone’s right to a useful job, food, clothing, a decent home, adequate medical care, and good education

1960s Beliefs from 1944 inaugural speed play role in Creation of civil rights and social welfare legislation 1990s President Clinton Referenced speech when he said “Health care is a basic right all should have” His health care plan was defeated indication of how we don’t always agree to meaning of this value

Tension Over value of individualism (individual’s responsibility to take care of self) 2000 election campaign George W. Bush and Al Gore debated merits of government-sponsored prescription plan for the elderly 2004 President Bush supported privatization of Social Security programs John Kerry did not 2008 President Obama and John McCain both presented health care reform proposals

Political tolerance Easily misunderstood Democracy depends on citizens being reasonably tolerant of the opinions and actions of others Most Americans believe themselves to be fairly tolerant

Studies show that political tolerance much more complex Findings Overwhelming majority agree with freedom speech, religion, and right to petition-in abstract Overwhelming majority agree with freedom of speech and religion, and people are not as politically tolerant as they claim Agree with freedoms of speech and religions, and are willing to allow many people with whom they disagree to do a great deal politically Agree with freedoms of speech and religion, and have become more tolerant in last few decade

Findings Agree with freedoms of speech and religion, and most people dislike one or another group strongly enough to deny it certain political rights, although people are not always inclined to act on their beliefs. General rule people are willing to deny rights to people on the opposite end of political spectrum Example: liberals are most likely to deny right-wing groups, such as neo-Nazis or self-styled militia groups their rights, and conservatives are most likely to deny them to groups they disapprove of, such as gays, atheists, or black militants In conflict with popular opinion Research does not show that liberals are more tolerant then conservatives

Mistrust of government Recent trend 1950s-1960s trust of government was artificially high Mid 1960s Trust really begins to drop Blame is laid at Vietnam War and Watergate for initial drops LBJ lied about causalities and American involvement in war Nixon was “not a crook” Today Americans in record numbers display distrust with politics and politicians

Along with mistrust of government has been a drop in political efficacy A citizens capacity to understand and influence political events Has two parts Internal efficacy: the ability to understand and take part in political affairs External efficacy: the belief of the individual that government will respond to his or her personal needs or beliefs Studies show Little difference over last half century in levels of internal efficacy Large change in external efficacy Most Americans believing that government is not very responsive to the electorate

External efficacy Levels dropped steadily during the 1960s and 70s Many political scientists blaming Vietnam War and Watergate for growing belief that government officials operate without much concern for beliefs and concerns of ordinary people Pattern continues today May be one reason incumbent presidents have difficult time getting reelected

International studies Conclusion Government is too big and pervasive to be sensitive to individual citizens International studies Americans feel significantly higher levels of political efficacy that do citizens of many European nations Americans are less likely to vote than most Europeans, but they are more likely to sign petitions, work to solve community problems, and regularly discuss politics

Culture wars Despite fact that Americans share broad cultural and political values Many believe conflict has increased since mid-20th century 2 cultural camps at war with each other

Culture wars Unchanging standards Abortion Gay rights drug use School prayer Terrorism U.S. role in world affairs Unchanging standards Belief in God Laws of nature U.S. is a force for good in the world Other side There are legitimate alternatives to these standards U.S. has at times had a negative (or maybe neutral) effect on world affairs

Culture wars Question is Whether or not these differences of opinion actually amount to a big divide in the broad American political culture?

Culture wars One view Other view They do because they strike at the very heart of the meaning of our democracy Other view We are doing what we have always done-arguing about how our core values should be implemented