Chapter 4

Political Culture Definition: The widely-shared beliefs, values, and norms that citizens share about their government. Differs from Ideology: – Integrated set of beliefs and values that shape a person’s views – Political culture consists of fundamental assumptions about how the political process should operate, Political ideology is a consistent set of views an individual might have regarding governmental policies

Characteristics of Political Culture Liberty Americans are preoccupied with their rights. I can do what I want, I’m American!!

Characteristics of Political Culture Equality – Political equality more than economic equality – Americans support free enterprise, and also support limits on marketplace freedom – Commitment to economic individualism (economic freedom over equality) – Believe in equality of opportunity more than equality of result Everyone should have an equal vote and an equal chance to participate and succeed. – American Dream: Reverence for property/capitalism/chance to acquire wealth – FDR’s “second Bill of Rights” (1944) ensuring economic security – False Consciousness (as opposed to class consciousness historically associated with Europe)

Characteristics of Political Culture The conflict lies between liberty associated with capitalism and equality associated with democracy! In Progressive Era to bring corporations under control In 1930s to smooth out ill effects of capitalism In 1960s with Great Society programs

Characteristics of Political Culture Democracy A form of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law. – Americans think government officials should be accountable to the people

Characteristics of Political Culture Civic Duty – Americans generally feel people ought to take community affairs seriously and help out when they can – Political scientist Robert Putnam uses, as an example of the decline in social capital, the decline in the number of people who participate in bowling leagues. The number of people who bowl has increased, but the number of people who bowl in leagues has declined. With a decline in such social networks, there is less likelihood of people coming together, listening to each other, exchanging ideas -> consequently a smaller degree of civic duty.

Characteristics of Political Culture Individualism/rugged individualism (as opposed to collectivism/statism) A characteristically American view is that, barring some disability, individuals are responsible for their own actions and well-being.

Characteristics of Political Culture GROUP WORK 1.Need to form 5 groups of equal numbers 2.Each group assigned one of the characteristics of U.S. political culture 3. One member get pass and go to library for a 3’ sheet of butcher paper 4. Remaining members of group work on the following: 1. Define characteristic in own words (5 th Grader) 2. 5 examples of your characteristic 3. An example of conflict between the other 4 characteristics and yours 4. Put on butcher paper to present to class

Characteristics of Political Culture Questions to answer about our political culture 1. How do we know that the American people share these beliefs? 2. How can we explain the existence in our society of behavior that is obviously inconsistent with them? 3. Why has there been so much political conflict in our history?

Distrust of Government Since the late 1950’s there has been a steady decline in trust of government to do the right thing 1960s Vietnam 1970s Watergate/Nixon resignation 1990s Clinton impeachment Bush war in Iraq 2008-now Recession/war/bailouts, need I go on??? Brief bump up with Reagan and briefly after 9/11

Political Efficacy The sense that one can both understand and influence public policy Internal efficacy: the ability to understand and take part in politics External efficacy: the willingness of the state to respond to the citizenry Americans more likely to score higher on the efficacy scale than citizens in Germany, Great Britain, or the Netherlands Americans less likely to vote but more likely to regularly discuss politics, sign petitions or solve community problems

Political Tolerance More in the abstract than in the concrete Americans agree with: freedom of speech, majority rule, and the right to circulate petitions Americans not very tolerant of groups they dislike Would you permit these group to hold meetings in your community’s civic auditorium? KKK Right-to-life group Gays organizing for homosexual rights Atheists preaching against God Reverend Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church Protestants holding a revival meeting PETA

Political Tolerance Americans are generally becoming more tolerant, however, some would deny rights to specific groups Most Americans believe that the nation is too tolerant of harmful behaviors; defense of common moral standards is more important than protection of individual rights Still, most are willing to allow expression by those with whom they disagree

Political Tolerance So…how do very unpopular groups survive? Most people don’t act on beliefs Usually no consensus exists on whom to persecute Courts are sufficiently insulated from public opinion to enforce constitutional protections