2. American Political Culture American Federal Government

3. Political Culture Definition 4A basic set of shared values, attitudes and beliefs that differentiate Americans from citizens of other countries 4How are we differentiated? 4Different founding principles to our western European counterparts 4City on a Hill

4. Characteristics of American Political Culture Protestant Work Ethic Equality of opportunity, not outcome Individual responsibility Mistrust of government & governmental power Limited government Religion and faith Providence, abundance, and Manifest Destiny Associationalism and civic duty

5. Common Beliefs Classical Liberalism - belief in individual rights, limited government, representative government; strong support for the Constitutional system as a break upon simple majoritarianism. Progressive Liberalism - Changed economic circumstances leads to increased government power as necessary to protect liberty and equality.

6. American Political Culture Compared High confidence in political institutions Lower confidence in people running political institutions Religiosity Declining sense of political efficacy

7. Confidence in Institutions: America and Europe Compared

8. Confidence in People Running American Institutions

9. Religiosity: The United States Compared (World Values Study, 1990s)

10. Religion is Important in My Life (Associated Press/IPSOS Poll, Summer 2005)

11. Religious Leaders Should/Should Not Try to Influence Government Decisions (Associated Press/IPSOS Poll, Summer 2005)

12. But are we evolving? Substantive changes in the United States over the last fifty years –Race –Gender –Population Migration –Change in type of employment What does it mean

13. Population Change in the US 1980-2000

14. Class in American Politics? Most Americans believe they are in the middle class –What is the definition? Gingrich vs. Clinton Tolerance for income inequality More of a predictor as for who is going to be mobilized and vote than race, gender or ethnicity.

15. Changes in U.S. Occupational Structure

16. Changes in Where We Live

17. Race & Ethnicity Blacks/African-Americans –migration, political protest, civil rights –issue divisions Latinos/Hispanics –diversity as a group –low political mobilization exception? South Florida

18. 2000 Presidential Vote by Ethnicity

19. Gender in American Politics The Gender Gap –a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting differences in views between men and women Example: --> Sexual Harassment in the workplace –24% of men say it is a serious problem –38% of women say it is a serious problem (ICPSR /ANES 1992 pre/post election surveys)

20. Gender Gap in Voting: 2000 Election, Gore/Bush

21. Religion in American Politics Secularism and protest Values, culture, and moral issues –abortion Rise or Demise of the Christian Right? –The GOP connection

22. Membership in the Christian Coalition, 1989-95

23. Ideology: Moderates Carry the Day

24. 50 States, 50 Cultures??? While there are general ideological principles that create American political culture, there are also variations Certain areas of the country are distinctly different than others Political scientists have attempted to systematically categorize states

25. State Culture Typologies Moralistic States –Rooted in New England, but they have spread to the northern Midwest as well –Higher belief in the public good, which can take root in a number of different issues –Town halls and meetings –Civic participation

26. State Culture Typologies Individualistic States –Rooted in the mid-Atlantic states and for the most part it has remained in the east coast –Culture of these states values material gain for the individual –Civic participation is not viewed as critical to the success of government –Laissez-Faire government is favored

27. State Culture Typologies Traditionalistic States –Developed in the original southern states and slowly crept as far as Texas –Values a strong social hierarchy in which there is a clear ranking of citizens –Government is viewed as a protector of the culture –Policies protect the elite

28. So where does Texas fit? Texas would be categorized as a traditionalistic state, but to do so would minimize the legitimate differences Historically Texas state government has not tolerated diversity and believes in upholding agrarian principles Cultural differences within Texas

29. Introductory Themes and American Political Culture Why does our system work so well? Political Power  Authority  Legitimacy

30. Conceptions of Democracy Democratic Centralism Direct Democracy Representative Democracy  popular sovereignty  citizen demands and government action  participation  deliberation  majority rule

31. Majority Rule: Good or Bad? No guarantee of good decisions Majority tyranny can threaten minorities Apathy toward politics

32. Who Really Governs? Different approaches  Marxist  Elitist  Bureaucratic  Pluralist