The meaning and unique qualities of American Political Culture
What is political culture? consistent set of views as to the
policies that government ought to pursue; what government should be
like; the IDEAL America! (not reality)
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Persistence of Democratic Institutions in American CANNOT be
explained by: Our unique Constitution (its been stolen!) Physical
advantages of our country (it helps!)
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Other things we must consider: Customs of our people or
traditions Examples? How are we unique? Moral and intellectual
characteristics de Tocqueville Americans are more industrious
Americans are more individualistic Americans believe they can
change their station in life Political Culture
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Definition of Political Culture The inherited set of beliefs,
attitudes, and opinions that Americans SHARE about how their
government OUGHT to operate. Example: Americans believe in
political equality but not economic equality NOT the same as
political ideology!
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What is political ideology? The philosophical differences
between people about what the role of government ought to be
regarding policy Examples: Liberal Conservative Populist
Libertarian Etc
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Four Elements that make up American Political Culture Liberty:
we should all be able to do what we want as long as no one gets
hurt Equality: equal political opportunity We DO NOT want economic
equality! Democracy: officials are accountable to the people whom
they serve Civic Duty: people have an obligation to participate in
the political process be cause they have a right to do so!
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How do we know that Americans share these core beliefs?
Inferred by the books we read (buy) Speeches we hear (political)
Slogans we respond to Political choices we make Observations of
foreigners Opinion Polls
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How do we explain behaviors that are inconsistent with our
political culture? Self interest (our BELIEFS remain the same, our
behaviors do not) Social circumstances (might not be cool for
everyone to really be equal ) We believe in equality, dont always
act on it Religious discrimination? Cliques? Beliefs important as a
change agent Our ideals have resulted in changed behavior Voting
Rights Equal Pay
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If there is agreement on certain political values, why have we
had so much political conflict? *The conflict has been over
specific policies, not values. Historians disagree about which
values we really share, or to what degree Americans interpret the
values as they pertain to their individual circumstances
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Most consistent evidence of a Political Culture Americanism,
American Way of Life, UnAmerican Activities Rarely have this type
of bonding in other nations Cant be un French, un Canadian, or un
Norwegian No Saudi Way of Life No other nation seems to share this
need for a national bond We dont share a common ethnicity, race,
religion, or national origin, so created this as our bond
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American Economic System Support free enterprise, see limits in
market Prefer equality of opportunity, not results Shared
commitment to economic individualism and self reliance Willing to
help only the truly needy; elderly and disabled Individualistic
view of social policy (we want to choose who we help) The
responsibility for financial success rests with the individual
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Distinctiveness of American Political Culture (Political
Systems) Comparison to Sweden (more deferential than participatory)
Vote, but do not otherwise participate Defer to gov and experts,
dont argue or protest Rarely challenge gov in court; almost no
lawsuits Believe in doing what is best for the whole, rather than
gov providing what people want Value equality more than liberty
Value harmony and social obligations more than anything else; need
to get along and be agreeable
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Comparison with Japan (political) Value good relations with
co-workers, must get along with others Emphasis on group
decision-making Value preserving social harmony Display respect for
hierarchy (boss, gov, ancestors) Sensitive to needs of others(at
cost to self) Want to avoid conflict at all costs Reach decisions
through discussion and compromise rather than an application of the
rules/laws
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Americans Emphasis on: Individualism Competition Equality
(political) Following the rules/laws Treating others fairly More
assertive of rights (even if arent sure what they are) Stronger
sense of : Civic Duty Civic Competence Obligation to be active in
ones community Can rectify bad laws Can fight city Hall! Confidence
in political institutions (trust) National Pride
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Over-generalizing and Stereotyping Misleading to think that we
can understand a nations political system as only the result of
their laws, economy, and physical circumstances Very difficult to
generalize about political cultures in nations which have a variety
of racial, ethnic, & religious groups
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Economic Systems Sweden compared to America: They believe more
in equal pay and limit top incomes They believe their should be a
lower ratio of income between workers and executives Americans are
less likely to believe that government should be involved in income
equity No Need to compare US and Japan in terms of Economics; we
are virtually identical!
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Cultural Differences = Political Differences
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The Sources of Political Culture in America Historical Roots:
American Revolution: equality! Constitution: our effort to balance
personal liberty with social control Americans obsessed with
assertion and maintenance of our rights Americans acted out of
suspicion of government and devotion to individualism
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Revolution of 1800 First test of our democracy/political
culture: Federalists (Adams) V. Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson)
Jefferson accused Federalists of subverting Constitution (Alien and
Sedition Act) Hamilton/Adams thought D-R would turn country over to
France Civil War did not occur; peaceful transfer of power Role of
opposition parties legitimized; peaceful, orderly transfer of power
possible
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Legal-sociological Factors Constitutional permitted wide-spread
participation (voting) No national religion prohibited by
Constitution Wide-spread, diverse immigration ensured there would
be none
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Religion Religious diversity was inevitable & led to
conflict With no common religion, common political culture is
difficult to create
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Conflict between Puritan Tradition and Catholic Church
Differences: Religious practices Regulation of manners and morals
Choice of political party Reflected in struggle over
Prohibition
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American political culture is dominated by Puritanism
(Protestantism) Five ethics Hard work Save money Obey the law
(human and God) Do good work (charity) Embrace Puritan Ethic
Work=Happiness=Heaven
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Churches offered opportunity to develop/practice political
skills Protestants are organized along congressional lines Churches
were controlled by the members (popular sovereignty) Churches are
like mini political systems A participant political culture was
made easier by the existence of a participant religious
culture
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Family Political culture is transmitted primarily by the family
Despite erosion of family unit (divorce, single parents, etc),
family still has largest role Other sources are significant; just
not as important as family Family determines identification w/
political party almost exclusively
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Family American children experience greater freedom and
equality which shapes political culture Have a say in leisure
activities Have own phone, tv, computer, car, etc Have ability to
decide what to purchase w/ own $ Have influence on family
vacations, meals, etc
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Absence of Class Consciousness Results from: Religious and
ethnic diversity (no ruling class) An individualistic philosophy
(its all about me!) Fragmented political authority (federalism)
Most people think of themselves as workers rather than management
Most Americans think they are middle class Even those who are
unemployed do not think or act in terms of their current economic
situation Americans still believe they can succeed if they work
hard US is only large, industrialized nation w/ no significant
socialist party or movement
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Mistrust of Government Evidence of the increase: 1979 Speech by
Pres. Jimmy Carter Speech about the recession/inflation Blamed
Americans attitude for the economic downturn American Malaise
Growing disrespect for government
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1958-1980s increasing mistrust Perceived that the number of
crooks in gov. increased (Nixon, Agnew, Rostenkowski,
Kennedy(Teddy), Traficanti, etc) Government appears to be run for
the benefit of a few big interests (NRA, oil, AMA, etc) Lots of tax
$ seem to be wasted
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Cases for Mistrust Watergate Vietnam Civil Rights Movement
(violence by gov) Dramatic increase in crime rate (drugs)
Assassination Rate (JFK, RFK, MLK, etc) Massive number of riots and
campus demonstrations 2 nd highest rate of inflation in US History!
(up to 25% in some States; about 17% nation-wide)
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Necessary to view mistrust in context We mistrust the leaders
and politics, but NOT our system of government Current level of
mistrust is the norm; 1950s had unusual confidence Mistrust was
shared w. other institutions Mistrust static since 1980s (slight
increase in 2002-03) Level of mistrust in 1990s? Level of mistrust
in 2000s ?
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Summary No loss of confidence in Americans themselves or our
system of government We are still #1; but gov America still best
place to live (according to Americans) People less ready to support
leaders and their policies More ready to believe in scandalous
rumors More cynical Less likely to join political parties More
likely to join interest group
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Political Efficacy A citizens capacity to understand and
influence political events Two types: Internal: confidence in ones
own ability to understand and take part in political affairs
External: a belief that the system will respond to what citizens do
(protest=gov action) Levels of internal efficacy constant since
1950s
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Political Efficacy Level of external efficacy has dropped a
great deal since the 1950s Why? Conclusion: American political
efficacy still higher than Europe (and most of the rest of the
world, too!) Americans are probably not more alienated, just more
realistic than in the past
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Political Tolerance Crucial component in democracy Democracy in
US would fail if: Unpopular speakers were shouted down and
prevented from speaking People supported gov censorship of
newspapers or other media (internet!) Peaceful demonstrations were
routinely broken up by mobs or govt Losing candidates did not allow
winners to take office (helloAl Gore!)
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Tolerance People do not need to be perfectly tolerant Everyone
has some prejudice No way to remove all stereotyping
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Levels of American Tolerance Most Americans are tolerant in the
abstract--- we believe in equality, dont always act on beliefs Most
Americans would dent rights to some one else in a concrete case
Community leaders, judges, lawyers are more tolerant
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Average Americans Tolerance Willing to allow people they dont
agree with to speak, write, protest, run for office, etc Has become
more tolerant since the 1980s Is willing to with hold political
liberty or equality from some group or individual
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Why do unpopular groups survive? Most people dont act on their
beliefs There is usually no consensus on who to persecute Courts
are sufficiently insulated from public opinion. They protect even
the most extreme groups rights.
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Conclusion We cannot take political liberty for granted; it can
be taken away No group should pretend to be perfectly tolerant