1. AP US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS TARGETS 5.1- American Political Culture – Unit 5

2. 5.1 Political Culture American success cannot be explained by our constitutional system and physical resources alone  Many countries have tried to copy our constitutional system with minimal success. (democracy, bicameralism, separation of powers, federalism etc. )  Russia has vast natural resources, not as much success What is political culture?  A common set of values regarding general political & economic principles  Examples: Basic human freedoms, commitment to democracy and the free market system Political ideology?  Political beliefs on specific issues (i.e. abortion, gay marriage, gun control, etc.)

3. 5.1 Unique American Political Culture What Makes America Political Culture Unique?  Alexis de Tocqueville (Democracy in America - 1835) recognized Americans have certain characteristics of the heart and mind  Americans have …  … an intense commitment to individual freedom, limited government, free markets, etc.  … vast lands and few governmental restrictions American Dilemma:  Americans don’t always practice what we preach:  We preach liberty and freedom, but… slavery, segregation, denial of women’s suffrage, discrimination

4. 5.1 Unique American Political Culture Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.  Alexis de Tocqueville But one also finds in the human heart a depraved taste for equality, which impels the weak to want to bring the strong down to their level, and which reduces men to preferring equality in servitude to inequality in freedom  Alexis de Tocqueville

5. 5.1 Unique American Political Culture I often wonder whether we do not rest our hopes too much upon constitutions, upon laws and courts. These are false hopes; believe me these are false hopes. Liberty lies in the hearts of men; when it dies there; no constitution, no law, no court can save it...  Justice Learned Hand The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do for themselves in their separate and individual capacities. But in all that people can individually do for themselves, government ought not to interfere.  Abraham Lincoln, 1854

7. Political Equality Equality of Opportunity Economic Individualism  Free Markets  Laissez faire Economic equality Equality of results Complete hands off  No regulation  Neglecting the truly needy 5.2 Enduring Core American Values Believe In… But Not In… Watch: Government v. the American Character http://www.popmodal.com/video/20588/the-government-vs_- the-american-character http://www.popmodal.com/video/20588/the-government-vs_- the-american-character American Values https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OPWOKWZsMo

8. 5.2 Enduring Core American Values Peaceful transition of political power  Gore Concession speech Gore Concession speech  Romney concession Romney concession  Obama calls for bipartisanship Obama calls for bipartisanship RESOURCES America’s peaceful transitions of power are not special (Wash. Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/21/no-the-u-s-s- peaceful-transitions-of-power-are-not-special/ Bitter Campaign in Afghan Elections (The Guardian) http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/29/afghan-president-ashraf- ghani-inaugurated Violence after Transition of Power http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/24/yemen-protest-violence- continues_n_1111969.html

9. 5.2 Enduring Core American Values Religious tradition  De Tocqueville amazed at how religious Americans were No privilege based on birth  No class consciousness (in contrast to Europe ) America vs. …  Scandinavia = equality more than liberty Scandinavia  Europe = Safety net Europe  America = Overall political participation is higher & a stronger sense of political efficacy Pew Research http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/11/17/the-american-western- european-values-gap/

10. 5.3 Culture Wars If such an enduring culture, then why so much conflict over issues ?  Difference between culture and ideology!!  Culture = General beliefs (abstract principles)  Ideology = specific policies ( details of policy)  Agree on abstract principles, but disagree on how to achieve these…  Examples: Civil War, Abortion, War on terrorism  Also: disagreement is often between vocal minorities on each side ( thus conflict is thus somewhat exaggerated )

11. 5.3 Culture Wars Intense conflict over ideology has produced the culture wars …  Intense conflict over deeply held beliefs (esp. moral issues, right and wrong). Usually divided along the lines of conservatives v. liberals.  Moral relativism: truth and morals are relative depending on historical time and culture. Therefore, few truths are absolute.  As a political conflict, the culture war is unique. Usually does not involve money, very intense, and often tied to religious beliefs.  Thus, very little compromise.

12. 5.3 Culture Wars Orthodox  vs Progressive  Orthodox Christian…………..…… Progressive Christian  Fundamentalist  Orthodox Jews……………………….Progressive Jew  Orthodox Muslim…………………..Progressive Muslim

13. RELIGION AND THE CULTURE WAR In Depth

14. 5.4 Sources of Political Culture How is political culture transmitted ?  One of the most important is Family = political socialization  Another important source is religion

15. Americans have of tradition of distrust of government  Sharp decline = Vietnam & Watergate  Candidates always run against the “establishment” in D.C.  Distrust at an all time high Distrust at an all time high  On all sides  Libertarians …… Republicans Libertarians Republicans

16. CHAPTER 4 Political Culture Charts