Chapter 4 American Political Culture
Tocqueville on American democracy Political culture Tocqueville on American democracy No feudal aristocracy; minimal taxes; few legal restraints Westward movement; vast territory provided opportunities Nation of small, independent farmers "Moral and intellectual characteristics"--today called "political culture"
Definition of political culture Distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out. For example, stronger American belief in political equality than in economic equality
Elements of the American political system Liberty -the ability to do as one pleases. Getting our rights! Equality -politically and with the same opportunities to succeed. Democracy -govt. officials should be accountable to the people. Civic duty -Americans should participate in community affairs. Individual responsibility -barring disability, we are responsible for ourselves!
Some questions about the U.S. political culture How do we know people share these beliefs? Answer: (before polls) beliefs inferred from books, speeches, etc. How do we explain behavior inconsistent with these beliefs? Answer: beliefs still important, cause changes in behavior. Why is there so much political conflict in U.S. history? Answer: beliefs contradict one another, are not consistently prioritized. Most consistent evidence of political culture? Answer: use of terms "Americanism," "un-American"
The Economic System Americans support free enterprise, but see limits on marketplace freedom Americans prefer equality of opportunity over equality of result Americans have a shared commitment to economic individualism (1924 and 1977 polls)
Comparing America with other nations: Religious belief Americans highly religious compared to Europeans Religious beliefs have played an important role in American politics Both liberals and conservatives use the pulpit to promote political change
The source of political culture Historical roots Revolution essentially over liberty; preoccupied with asserting rights Adversarial culture due to distrust of authority and a belief that human nature is depraved Federalist-Jeffersonian transition in 1800 Legitimated role of opposition party; liberty and political change can coexist
The source of political culture: Legal-sociological factors Widespread (not universal) participation permitted by Constitution Absence of an established national religion Religious diversity a source of division Absence of established religion has facilitated the absence of a single political orthodoxy Puritan heritage (dominant tradition) stress on personal achievement: Work, Save money, Obey secular laws, Do good works and Embrace "Protestant ethic" (work ethic) Miniature political systems produced by churches' congregational organization
The source of political culture: Family Family instills the ways we think about world and politics Greater freedom of children and equality among family members leads to belief in rights & acceptance of diverse views in decision-making High degree of class consciousness absent Most consider themselves middle class Even unemployed do not oppose management Message of Horatio Alger stories is still popular
The source of political culture: The culture war Two cultural classes in America battle over values Culture war differs from political disputes in three ways: Money is not at stake Compromises are almost impossible Conflict is more profound EXAMPLES??? Culture conflict animated by deep differences in people's beliefs about private and public morality Culture war about what kind of country we ought to live in
Mistrust of government Evidence of increase since mid-1960s Vietnam Watergate Jimmy Carter speech in 1979 on American malaise Why do we mistrust government today? What do we not trust?
Political tolerance Crucial to democratic politics Free discussion of ideas Select rulers without oppression Levels of American political tolerance Most Americans assent in abstract... ... but would deny rights in concrete cases (Example?) Most are willing to allow expression by those with whom they disagree Becoming more tolerant in recent decades Question: How do very unpopular groups survive? Conclusions Political liberty cannot be taken for granted
The source of political culture: Culture War Continued Simplify by identifying two camps Orthodox: morality more important than self-expression with fixed rules from God – fundamentalist protestants Progressive: personal freedom more important than tradition with changing rules based on circumstances of modern life – mainline protestants and those with no religious affiliation Current culture war has special historical importance due to two changes: More people consider themselves progressives than previously Rise of technology makes it easier to mobilize people
Political efficacy Definition: citizen's capacity to understand and influence political events Internal efficacy Confidence in one's ability to understand and influence events About the same as in 1950s External efficacy Belief that system will respond to citizens Declined steadily through 1960s and 1970s Government becoming too big to respond to individual
Comparing America with other nations: Political System Swedes: more deferential than participatory Rarely challenge governmental decisions in court Believe in "what is best" more than "what people want Value equality as much as (or more than) liberty Value harmony and observe obligations Japanese Value good relations with colleagues Emphasize group decisions and social harmony Respect hierarchy
Comparing America with other nations: Political System (continued) Americans Tend to assert rights Emphasize individualism, competition, equality(political), following rules, treating others fairly but impersonally
Comparing America with other nations: Political System (continued) Cultural differences affect political and economic systems Danger of overgeneralizing: many diverse groups within a culture Almond and Verba: U.S. and British citizens in 1959/1960 Stronger sense of civic duty and competence Subsequent research comparing Americans and Europeans U.S. lags in voting rates but not in other forms of participation U.S. with more confidence in government institutions U.S. acknowledges flaws but still proud of national identity
Comparing America with other nations: Economic system Swedes (contrasted with Americans): Verba and Orren Favor equal pay and top limit on incomes Favor less income inequality U.S. less likely to believe hard work goes unrewarded or that government should guarantee a basic standard of living