1. American Political Culture
Wilson Chapter 4
AP Government

2. What is Political Culture?
The widely-shared beliefs, values, and norms that citizens share about their government
A distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out.

3. CHARACTERISTICS Liberty
Rugged individualism (is this always the case?)
Equality
Opportunity more than result
Political more than economic equality
American Dream
FDR’s second bill of rights
Conflict between liberty ( capitalism) and equality (democracy): Progressive Era; New Deal; Great Society

4. CHARACTERISTICS Democracy
Civic Duty (but we don’t know much about political affairs)
Mistrust of Government (since 1960s)
Political Efficacy-capacity to understand (individual) and influence (external) political events.
Political tolerance- in the abstract vs. concrete
Pragmatism - we’re less ideological
Justice- “government of laws, not men”

5. More on Justice…
Policies and laws that adhere to the rule of law must adhere to these rules:
Generality
Prospectivity (apply to the future)
Publicity (cannot be secret)
Authority
Due Process

6. Sources of Political Culture
History
Religion
Family
What has shaped your political identity and culture?

7. Culture War Cultural clash over values vs. economic clash over wealth
Orthodox (morality)
Progressive (personal freedom)
Clash over: abortion, gay rights, drug use, school prayer and pornography.
How is this war different than political disputes?
Why has this war grown in recent years?

8. Mistrust of Government
The “American Malaise” - crisis of confidence evident in Americans’ growing disrespect for government, schools, churches, and institutions.
Jimmy Carter
Why don’t we trust our government? What don’t we trust about it?

9. America vs. the World
Swedes - deferential in nature; harmony; equality in results more important than equality in opportunity
Japanese - Respect authority; group decisions
British- sense of civic duty; rectify unjust laws
Americans- strong sense of religion in politics
IS THE U.S. REALLY APATHETIC?