American Federal Government Introductory Themes American Political Culture

Introductory Themes and American Political Culture Political Power Authority Legitimacy

Conceptions of Democracy Democratic Centralism Direct Democracy Representative Democracy popular sovereignty citizen demands and government action participation deliberation majority rule

Majority Rule: Good or Bad? No guarantee of good decisions Majority tyranny can threaten minorities Apathy toward politics

Who Really Governs? Different approaches Marxist Elitist Bureaucratic Pluralist

Political Culture Definition A basic set of shared values, attitudes and beliefs that differentiate Americans from citizens of other countries

Myths about the Founding of the American Republic British as tyrranical All the colonists favored independence Colonists were militarily superior American Revolution as a symbol of freedom for the world Constitution was divinely inspired

Characteristics of American Political Culture Equality of opportunity, not outcome Individual responsibility Mistrust of government & governmental power Limited government Religion and faith Providence, abundance, and Manifest Destiny Associationalism and civic duty Greater inclusion of “out-groups”?

American Political Culture Compared High confidence in political institutions Lower confidence in people running political institutions Religiosity Declining sense of political efficacy

Confidence in Institutions: America and Europe Compared

Confidence in People Running American Institutions

Religiosity: The United States Compared (World Values Study, 1990s)

Religion is Important in My Life (Associated Press/IPSOS Poll, Summer 2005)

Religious Leaders Should/Should Not Try to Influence Government Decisions (Associated Press/IPSOS Poll, Summer 2005)

Population of the US by Race and Ethnicity (Census Bureau)

Population Change in the US 1980-2000

Changes in U.S. Occupational Structure

Changes in Where We Live

Race & Ethnicity Blacks/African-Americans Latinos/Hispanics migration, political protest, civil rights issue divisions Latinos/Hispanics diversity as a group low political mobilization exception? South Florida

Race & Ethnicity Asian Americans Native Americans recent immigration considerably diverse group issue foci Native Americans scattering of distinct cultures conquered nations, poverty, and protest new economic development: casino gambling

1996 Presidential Vote by Ethnicity

2000 Presidential Vote by Ethnicity

Class in American Politics? Most Americans believe they are in the middle class What is the definition? Gingrich vs. Clinton Tolerance for income inequality

Income Distribution: The U.S. Compared

Gender in American Politics The Gender Gap a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting differences in views between men and women Example: --> Sexual Harassment in the workplace 24% of men say it is a serious problem 38% of women say it is a serious problem (ICPSR /ANES 1992 pre/post election surveys)

Gender Gap in Voting: 1992/96 Vote for Clinton

Gender Gap in Voting: 2000 Election, Gore/Bush

Religion in American Politics Secularism and protest Values, culture, and moral issues abortion Rise or Demise of the Christian Right? The GOP connection

Membership in the Christian Coalition, 1989-95

Ideology: Moderates Carry the Day