1. Ch. 4 – american political culture
Unit 1 – foundations of government

2. What u need to know 1. ) What is american political culture. 2
What u need to know 1.) What is american political culture? 2.) how does political culture differ from political ideology? 3.) does the U.S. have a unique political culture compared to other advanced industrial democracies?
TO WHAT ENDS? 1.) WHY DOES OUR GOV’T. BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY THAN GOVERNMENTS IN COUNTRIES WITH SIMILAR CONSTITUTIONS?
WHO GOVERNS?
1.) DO AMERICANS TRUST OUR ….GOVERNMENT?
2.) WHY DO WE ACCEPT GREAT ….DIFFERENCES IN WEALTH & ….INCOME?

3. POLITICAL CULTURE
A PATTERNED & SUSTAINED WAY OF THINKING ABOUT HOW POLITICAL & ECONOMIC LIFE OUGHT TO BE CARRIED OUT

4. COMPARING COUNTRIES Federalist system with a written Constitution U.S.
COUNTRY
TYPE OF GOV’T.
DEMOGRAPHICS
POLITICAL CULTURE
U.S.
Federalist system with a written Constitution
Large area with almost 400 million people (Dominant language is English with millions speaking Spanish; 80% of adults – Christian)
Most believe democracy & majority rule is good while respecting minority rights; most think everyone should be equal politically but not so much economically
France
Semi-Presidential -Parliamentary system with a written Constitution
Smaller area with about 60 million people (Dominant language is French with a growing immigrant & foreign born subpopulation; 80% Catholic)
Most believe democracy & majority rule is good while respecting minority rights; most think everyone should be equal politically as well as economically
Great Britain
Parliamentary system with no written Constitution
Smaller area with about 60 million people (Dominant language is English with a growing immigrant & foreign born subpopulation; most belong to the Church of Eng.)

5. The persistence of Conflict
Older Americans & younger Americans differ in views on civic issues (abortion, religion, immigration, affirmative action, gay rights, etc.) & morality

6. The economic system
Most Americans support our free enterprise economic system with a focus on economic individualism & personal responsibility
Most Americans do believe we have a duty to help those ‘truly in need’ such as the elderly & disabled

7. How we compare to other nations
Country
Pride
Success – forces outside our control
Teach Value of Work
God & Morality
U.S.
71%
32%
60%
58%
Canada 66 35 51 30
Great Britain 45 48 38 25
France 54 50 13
Germany 21 68 22 33
Italy Na 27

8. Civic duty & competence
obligation to participate in civic & political affairs
Civic competence
One can affect government policies
How we compare to other countries
Americans typically believe we should be more civically involved than people in other countries & while there is a growing mistrust in our government, we tend to show more trust in our political & governmental system then in other countries

9. Civic role of religion
The more active Americans are in their religious pursuits, the more active they are in civic affairs
Many American churches are very active (especially at the local level) with civic affairs (volunteer work)

10. Sources of political culture
American Revolution
Battle between the Federalists & Anti-Federalists
Religious Core Values
Class Consciousness

11. Culture war Orthodox Progressive
Morality & religion are very important
Progressive
Personal freedom & solving social problems are more important than religion

12. Mistrust of governmet
While our mistrust of government has steadily been on the rise (with the exception of certain moments), we still trust our system of government while becoming increasingly untrusting of our government officials

13. Political tolerance
The text states that democratic politics rests on the belief that we are reasonably tolerant of opinions & actions of others (who oppose our views)
It also states that for the most part, Americans are pretty tolerant of opposition views (this book was published in 2013) – I strongly disagree with this perspective

14. Free Response Questions (20pts.)
The framers of the United States Constitution created a federal system.
(a) Define federalism.
(b) Select one of the following and explain how it has been used to increase the power of the federal government relative to the states.
Categorical grants
Federal mandates  
(c) Select two of the following and explain how each has been used to increase the power of the states relative to the federal government.
Welfare Reform Act of 1996
Block grants
Tenth Amendment

15. Free Response Questions (20pts.)
Respond to the following. Explain your ideas in a clear, coherent essay that makes references to specific concepts, trends, and/or developments in government.
The power of the federal government relative to the power of the states, has increased since the ratification of the Constitution. Identify and explain three reasons why the federal government has gained such power, and what the consequences are for federalism today.