American Political Culture Why don’t people shoot George W. Bush? Why don’t people shoot George W. Bush? Why do we pay taxes? Why do we pay taxes? Why don’t we take to the streets of Seattle to protest Microsoft? Why don’t we take to the streets of Seattle to protest Microsoft?

Definition of Political Culture a set of norms, beliefs, traditions, and values oriented toward the political system that are for the most part shared by the society and are relatively unique to a political system a set of norms, beliefs, traditions, and values oriented toward the political system that are for the most part shared by the society and are relatively unique to a political system

Tenets of Classical Liberalism Individual have natural rights Individual have natural rights Individuals are equal under the law Individuals are equal under the law Government should be limited Government should be limited Government's #1 purpose is to serve individuals Government's #1 purpose is to serve individuals

Declaration of Independence All men are created equal All men are created equal Endowed with certain inalienable rights, life liberty pursuit of happiness Endowed with certain inalienable rights, life liberty pursuit of happiness Government derives “their just powers from the consent of the governed Government derives “their just powers from the consent of the governed

Quick Survey 1. It is the responsibility of the state to take care of poor people who can’t take care of themselves. 2. People like me and my family have a good chance of improving our standard of living. 3. Govt should reduce income inequality. 4. Government should provide all Americans with a guaranteed income. 5. Luck is more important than hard work in getting ahead.

Liberty Americans emphasize individual responsibility Americans emphasize individual responsibility People believe hard work pays off People believe hard work pays off

Equality Americans have a strong commitment to legal, social and political equality. Americans have a strong commitment to legal, social and political equality. Not equality of outcomes or economic equality Not equality of outcomes or economic equality Public Support for Affirmative Action Public Support for Affirmative Action Equality more of a “contested” concept Equality more of a “contested” concept

I’m a liberal, you’re a liberal, wouldn’t you like to be a liberal too? Liberalism Liberalism Individual liberty is primary Individual liberty is primary Government should be limited Government should be limited Conservatives/Liberals, R/Ds agree Conservatives/Liberals, R/Ds agree Debate over when government should intervene in private affairs Debate over when government should intervene in private affairs Liberals- lower standard on economic issues Liberals- lower standard on economic issues Conservatives- lower standard on social issues Conservatives- lower standard on social issues

Traditional Explanations no feudal aristocracy—no landed aristocracy to provide a conservative view no feudal aristocracy—no landed aristocracy to provide a conservative view minimal taxes minimal taxes few legal restraints few legal restraints frontier provides opportunities—easy for ambitious individuals to succeed frontier provides opportunities—easy for ambitious individuals to succeed nation of small indep farmers nation of small indep farmers

Tocqueville’s Vision Frontier and widespread property ownership Frontier and widespread property ownership Life characterized by atomistic social freedom Life characterized by atomistic social freedom Do not need strong state or class movement to create upward mobility Do not need strong state or class movement to create upward mobility New world creates faith in individualism New world creates faith in individualism

Other theories Limited government Limited government Self-selection Self-selection Socialization Socialization Bias of capitalism Bias of capitalism

Values Shape Policy Outcomes

Clinton Health Care Plan Clinton Health Care Plan large government operation large government operation remove control from the market remove control from the market restrict the choices of individuals restrict the choices of individuals Promote equality of outcomes Promote equality of outcomes Program conflicted with basic values --Bush Social Security Privativation

Public Support for Greater Govt Role in Health Care Industry