1. Political Culture in the United States
Applying the Principles of the Declaration of Independence

2. Major Themes of the Declaration of Independence
Self evident truths
We hold these truths to be self-evident
Human equality
All men are created equal
They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights
Among these rights:
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of happiness
Natural rights
Purpose of gov’t
To secure rights
Measure of Justice
Consent of the governed
Whenever any form of gov’t is destructive of the security of natural rights
Right of revolution
Limits to the
right of revolution
Prudence:
Long-established gov’ts shouldn’t be overthrown for “light and transient causes”
Experience:
Men are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable than to right themselves

3. Political Culture A general set of Ideas, attitudes and beliefs
Shapes a region’s politics
Political Cultures in the US may identify with certain principles in the Declaration of Independence
Political culture sometimes confused with ideology
Most communities in the US participate in at least one of the following:
Traditionalism
Individualism
Moralism

4. Traditionalism Basic features Associated region Advantages
Disadvantages
Strong attachment to long-established institutions
Preference for traditional ‘modes and orders’
Suspicion of change
Family legacies
Stability
Predictability
Laws and customs tend to remain constant
The “Old South”:
South Carolina
North Carolina
Virginia
Tennessee
Georgia
Mississippi
Alabama
Louisiana
Texas
Inflexibility
Lack of social mobility
Tolerance of corruption in the public sector
Hostility to reform
Fatalism
Examples:
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“You can’t fight city hall.”
Uncontested elections
Political Dynasties (Bush, Thurmond, Moncrieff, Kennedy)

5. Individualism Basic features Associated region Advantages
Disadvantages
Strong belief in self-reliance
Preference for individual and independent action; free enterprise
Suspicion of public institutions
Resistance to regulation
“The Self-Made Man”
Opportunity
Privacy
Recognition of individual efforts
Accountability
The “Old West”:
Wyoming
Texas
Colorado
New Mexico
Arizona
Nevada
Montana
North Dakota
South Dakota
Isolation
Lack of community support
Intolerance of public sector involvement
Tolerance of corruption in the private sector, provided one isn’t caught
Examples:
“You’ll get my gun when you pry it from my cold dead hands.”
“You’ve got nobody to blame but yourself.”
Entrepreneurs, independent contractors
“Caveat emptor”

6. Moralism Basic features Associated region Advantages Disadvantages
Strong belief in community, “commonwealth”
Preference for formal community action
Suspicion of private institutions and interests
Strong regulatory presence
Community
Accountability
Active social support structures
“safety nets”
“New England”:
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Connecticut
Maine
New York
Pennsylvania
Also prevalent in the Pacific NW and in capital cities
Intrusiveness
Tolerance of corruption in the public sector if it serves the “moral duty” of serving the commonwealth
Inaction unless initiated by community officials
High public debt; high taxes
Examples:
“Did you bring enough for everybody?”
“We’re from the government and we’re here to help you.”
Social Security, social welfare programs
Public education programs