1. Political Culture & Ideology

2. What is political culture?
political culture is a reflection of how “We, the people” think our government should operate
Shared beliefs, values, and norms citizens hold about their relationship to gov’t and each other.
Some elements of political culture have changed while some have remained constant
--Constant: liberty (most cherished)
--Change: ideas about suffrage

3. Other characteristics of political culture include…
Liberty
Patrick Henry- Give me liberty or give me death
Taxation without Representation
Bill of Rights
Miranda Rights

4. Other characteristics of political culture include…
Democracy
No man is above the law (Nixon, Watergate);
called the rule of law
When government doesn‘twork we can abolish it (Locke)
Democratic consensus (popular soveriengty, majority rule)

5. Other characteristics of political culture include…
Equality
Started with Thomas Jefferson
Not always consistent with policy (slavery, schools)
Political equality: all have equal protection under the law
14th Amendment (citizenship clause, due process clause, equal protection clause)
Social equality or equal opportunity: everyone has the chance to succeed

6. Other characteristics of political culture include…
Individualism
Right to make choices
Must understand since everyone has this right, someone has to lose
Self-reliance (started with Puritans)
Growing dependence on gov’t strays from this (ex. FDR’s New Deal, LBJ’s Great Society, Obama’s bailouts)

7. Other characteristics of political culture include…
Civic Duty/Obligation
Registering to vote
Being informed
Voting
College acceptance often determined in part by civic duty

8. Other characteristics of political culture include…
Social Capital
People coming together, listening to each other, exchanging ideas
Clubs, meetings, belonging
Important to strengthen communities, get new perspective
Examples: neighborhood watch, town council, local DAR chapter, even little league

9. Other characteristics of political culture include…
Suffrage
Originally only white, property owning men, 21 or older (1/6th of white men)
Elimination of property rights; all men over 21 (A. Jackson)
15th Amendment: all black men (Reconstruction Era)
19th Amendment: all women (Progressive Era)
26th Amendment: all citizens 18+ (Vietnam War)

10. Other characteristics of political culture include…
Political Efficacy
understanding the issues, becoming engaged in the political system with the intent of making a difference
responsibility with universal suffrage

11. Political Ideology
Refers to a constant pattern of ideas or beliefs about political values and the role of government, including how it should work and how it actually does work
Two major schools of ideology dominate American politics: liberalism and conservatism
Two minor schools are also prevalent: socialism and libertarianism

12. Liberals vs. Conservatives
Major difference is the size/scope of government (personal liberty vs social equality)
For example, should an individual who works hard and earns a fortune be expected to pay additional taxes so a less fortunate, also hardworking, individual receives health care at no expense? Does this cause the demise of Puritan Work Ethic? (called the Protestant ethic by political philosopher Max Weber)

13. Classic Liberalism Favored limited government, promoted individualism
Overtime this has changed significantly in US
US is backwards from rest of the world in terms of labeling parties

14. Liberals
Government intervention in the economy is necessary to remedy the defects of capitalism
Equal access to health care, housing, education
Affirmative action
Pro-union
Government should control/correct social issues
Reduce inequalities of wealth (maintain minimum level of income) – stipends, technology, etc.
Cut defense spending
Favor raising taxes to pay for government programs

15. Presidential History Most liberal presidents (dems):
Andrew Jackson
Franklin D Roosevelt
Barack H Obama
Moderate presidents (still dems):
Harry Truman
Bill Clinton

16. Criticism of Liberalism
Rely too much on govt to solve nation’s problems
Higher taxes hurt the average American
Govt has to be limited to serve our best interests
Power tends to corrupt
Undermine self-reliance/competitive spirit
Welfare will destroy individual initiative

17. Conservatives Enhance personal liberty by keeping government small
Sole functions of government are to protect us from foreign enemies, preserve law & order, encourage economic growth (free and fair trade)
Celebrate the individual – you decide to make what you want out of your life
Pro-business (trust the private sector to solve problems)
Favor vouchers for schools, choices in health benefits, privatizing Social Security, keep military strong
Favor tax cuts

18. Social Conservatives Focus less on economy, and more on family values
Represent the Christian right
Government should act to protect traditional morals

19. Presidential History Conservative: George Washington (1789-1797)
James Monroe ( )
Grover Cleveland ( , )
Warren G. Harding ( )
Calvin Coolidge ( )
Ronald Reagan ( )
George W. Bush ( ) (with respect to taxes and Supreme Court nominations)

20. Criticism of Conservatism
not thinking of the whole
People who make more should pay more
fail to deal with social issues like racism and sexism
Criticism of social conservatives – US is supposed to have freedom of religion & separation of church and state

21. Socialism Aka mixed system
Government controls economy
Politically free
Karl Marx (transitional stage from capitalism to communism)
Socialists would…
Nationalize certain industries
Institute a public jobs program (all who wanted to work could)
Tax the wealthy more heavily
Reduce spending

22. Libertarianism
Cherishes individual liberty, sharply limited government
Want the government to stay small and far away
Oppose most government programs
Favor armed services that would only act if US were attacked
Oppose most government regulation
Favor massive tax cuts
“live and let live”

24. Words of caution
1. Political labels have different meanings across national boundaries as well as over time
2. Ideological terms or labels can be confusing - You can’t lump everyone in the same group
Ex. You can be social liberal but fiscally conservative (how should you vote?)
Ex. You can be socially conservative but fiscally liberal (how should you vote?)

25. Distribution of Ideology
more conservatives than liberals
very few extreme conservatives or extreme liberals (in 2000, only 2% viewed themselves as extreme conservatives, only 1% extreme liberals)
MOST (75%) Americans consider themselves moderate
both major parties target centrist or moderate voters in elections

30. 2012 Election Results

31. Ideological Views
Most Americans do not organize their attitudes systematically
Very low consistency among various attitudes and opinions