Political Culture

Warm Up Reading on podium Reading on podium Which position do you find more persuasive? Why? Which position do you find more persuasive? Why? How does this tie in with our political culture? How does this tie in with our political culture?

Political Culture Culture vs. Ideology Culture vs. Ideology Culture – a distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out Culture – a distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out Ideology – more or less consistent set of views concerning policies gov’t should pursue Ideology – more or less consistent set of views concerning policies gov’t should pursue

The Political System Core Values 1. Liberty – do what you want as long as you do not hurt other people 1. Liberty – do what you want as long as you do not hurt other people Must look at others definition of liberty Must look at others definition of liberty 9/11 9/11 2. Equality – “one person, one vote” 2. Equality – “one person, one vote” 3. Democracy – gov’t officials accountable to others 3. Democracy – gov’t officials accountable to others 4. Civic duty – help out 4. Civic duty – help out 5. Individual responsibility – individuals responsible for own actions and well-being 5. Individual responsibility – individuals responsible for own actions and well-being 6. Rule of Law – the belief that gov't is based on a body of law applied equally, impartially, and justly 6. Rule of Law – the belief that gov't is based on a body of law applied equally, impartially, and justly

Three Questions 1. How do we know that the American people share these beliefs? 1. How do we know that the American people share these beliefs? A. Books read A. Books read B. Speeches heard B. Speeches heard C. Slogans to which they respond C. Slogans to which they respond D. Political choices D. Political choices E. Observations by foreigners E. Observations by foreigners F. Personality tests F. Personality tests G. Opinion polls G. Opinion polls

Three Questions 2. If these values are important to Americans, how can we explain the existence in our society of behavior that is obviously inconsistent with them? 2. If these values are important to Americans, how can we explain the existence in our society of behavior that is obviously inconsistent with them? A. Everyday fact that people act contrary to their beliefs A. Everyday fact that people act contrary to their beliefs B. People are also shaped by self-interest and social circumstances B. People are also shaped by self-interest and social circumstances C. The creed remains important b/c it can be a source of change – as people recognize the discrepancy between creed and behavior C. The creed remains important b/c it can be a source of change – as people recognize the discrepancy between creed and behavior

Three Questions 3. If there is agreement among Americans on certain political values, why has there been so much political conflict in our history? 3. If there is agreement among Americans on certain political values, why has there been so much political conflict in our history? A. Conflict can occur over specific policies A. Conflict can occur over specific policies

The Economic System Many of the same standards as the political system, but some differences Many of the same standards as the political system, but some differences 1. Liberty – free enterprise economic system 1. Liberty – free enterprise economic system Limits – tax, regulatory, monetary, and spending policies Limits – tax, regulatory, monetary, and spending policies 2. Emphasis on “equality of opportunity” 2. Emphasis on “equality of opportunity” 3. Disagreement over preferential hiring, etc. 3. Disagreement over preferential hiring, etc. 4. “Truly in need” vs. “able to take care of themselves” 4. “Truly in need” vs. “able to take care of themselves” 5. Economic individualism and personal responsibility 5. Economic individualism and personal responsibility 6. Ethic of self-reliance – thus, disagreement over welfare 6. Ethic of self-reliance – thus, disagreement over welfare

Comparing the U.S. with Other Nations 1. Sweden 1. Sweden A. Political system A. Political system Vote but do little else Vote but do little else Tend to defer to “experts” Tend to defer to “experts” B. Economic System B. Economic System Favor equality of results over equality of opportunity Favor equality of results over equality of opportunity Tables 4.3 and 4.4 (84) Tables 4.3 and 4.4 (84) 2. Japan 2. Japan A. Tend to be group oriented A. Tend to be group oriented B. Hierarchical B. Hierarchical 3. U.S. 3. U.S. A. Individualism A. Individualism B. A strong sense of civil competence (can make a difference) B. A strong sense of civil competence (can make a difference)

Comparing the U.S. with Other Nations 4. The Role of Religion 4. The Role of Religion A. U.S. has been one of the most religious countries in the world A. U.S. has been one of the most religious countries in the world B. Attracted to religion as much for its civic as for its spiritual significance B. Attracted to religion as much for its civic as for its spiritual significance C. Candidates for national office regularly talk religion C. Candidates for national office regularly talk religion Tables 4.7 and 4.8 Tables 4.7 and 4.8

The Sources of Political Culture 1. Origins of the U.S. – preoccupations with 1. Origins of the U.S. – preoccupations with A. Liberty A. Liberty B. rights B. rights C. original sin – therefore, no one could be trusted with power C. original sin – therefore, no one could be trusted with power Led to participation Led to participation 3. religious diversity – guaranteed by the Constitution 3. religious diversity – guaranteed by the Constitution A. Was dominant religious tradition A. Was dominant religious tradition 4. socialization process – esp. family but evidence that this is weakening 4. socialization process – esp. family but evidence that this is weakening 5. Combined effect of religious and ethnic diversity, an individualistic philosophy, fragmented political authority, and the relatively egalitarian American family produce a general absence of class consciousness = most people in the U.S. think of themselves as middle class 5. Combined effect of religious and ethnic diversity, an individualistic philosophy, fragmented political authority, and the relatively egalitarian American family produce a general absence of class consciousness = most people in the U.S. think of themselves as middle class

The Sources of Political Culture 6.The U.S. is the only large industrial democracy without a significant socialist party and has been generally slow to adopt certain welfare programs 6.The U.S. is the only large industrial democracy without a significant socialist party and has been generally slow to adopt certain welfare programs 7. The Culture War 7. The Culture War Culture classes clashing on political issues Culture classes clashing on political issues A. Abortion A. Abortion B. Gay rights B. Gay rights C. Drug use C. Drug use D. School prayer D. School prayer E. Terrorism E. Terrorism F. U.S. role in world affairs F. U.S. role in world affairs

Mistrust of Government 1. Centers more around officials, not the system 1. Centers more around officials, not the system 2. Reasons for decline 2. Reasons for decline A. Vietnam A. Vietnam B. Civil Rights disputes B. Civil Rights disputes C. Nixon C. Nixon D. Clinton impeachment D. Clinton impeachment 3. Alternative view 3. Alternative view A. 1950s – expected little out of gov't A. 1950s – expected little out of gov't B. 1960s and 70s changed B. 1960s and 70s changed C. Difficult problems to solve C. Difficult problems to solve D. Patriotism suffered D. Patriotism suffered E. 9/11 euphoria – Did it last? E. 9/11 euphoria – Did it last? 7/01 – 29% trusted fed gov’t to do what is right 7/01 – 29% trusted fed gov’t to do what is right 10/01 – up to 57% 10/01 – up to 57% 5/02 – down to 40%; 57% saying trusted Washington so of time or never 5/02 – down to 40%; 57% saying trusted Washington so of time or never

Political Efficacy Drop in political efficacy Drop in political efficacy Internal efficacy – ability to understand and take part in political affairs Internal efficacy – ability to understand and take part in political affairs External efficacy – ability to make the system respond to the citizenry External efficacy – ability to make the system respond to the citizenry Still higher than Europeans Still higher than Europeans

Political Tolerance Points to consider Points to consider 1. one person’s civic intolerance is another person’s passion, but in general people do agree that a decline in moral values is a major source of harm for society 1. one person’s civic intolerance is another person’s passion, but in general people do agree that a decline in moral values is a major source of harm for society 2. are willing to allow people to do things which we disagree 2. are willing to allow people to do things which we disagree 3. have become more tolerant, in general 3. have become more tolerant, in general But But 1. there is some group whose rights we would support limiting/denying 1. there is some group whose rights we would support limiting/denying 2. we frequently do not act on our beliefs 2. we frequently do not act on our beliefs 3. we cannot agree on which group should have its rights denied 3. we cannot agree on which group should have its rights denied 4. courts are generally insulated enough to enforce constitutional protections, in spite of the opinions of some groups 4. courts are generally insulated enough to enforce constitutional protections, in spite of the opinions of some groups