Chapter 4 American Political Culture Our political culture is uniquely American; at the same time it is filled with contradictions

Objectives In your notes 1. Define what scholars mean by political culture, and list some of the dominant aspects of political culture in the United States. 1. Define what scholars mean by political culture, and list some of the dominant aspects of political culture in the United States. 2. Discuss how American citizens compare with those of other countries in their political attitudes. 2. Discuss how American citizens compare with those of other countries in their political attitudes.

Objectives In your notes 3. List the contributions to United States political culture made by the Revolution, by the nation's religious heritages, and by the family. Explain the apparent absence of class consciousness in the U.S. 3. List the contributions to United States political culture made by the Revolution, by the nation's religious heritages, and by the family. Explain the apparent absence of class consciousness in the U.S. 4.Define internal and external political efficacy, and explain how the level of each of these has varied over the past generations. 4.Define internal and external political efficacy, and explain how the level of each of these has varied over the past generations.

What is American Political Culture? Alexis de Tocqueville; why democracy could take root in the U.S. Alexis de Tocqueville; why democracy could take root in the U.S. No feudal aristocracy; minimal taxes; few legal restraints No feudal aristocracy; minimal taxes; few legal restraints Westward movement; vast territory provided opportunities Westward movement; vast territory provided opportunities Nation of small, independent farmer Nation of small, independent farmer “Moral and intellectual characteristics”-today called…”political culture” “Moral and intellectual characteristics”-today called…”political culture”

Definition of political culture Distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out. Distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out. For example, Americans generally believe more strongly in political than economic equality. For example, Americans generally believe more strongly in political than economic equality.

What are the elements of the political system? Liberty (rights) Liberty (rights) Equality (is voting and opportunities) Equality (is voting and opportunities) Democracy (government is accountable to the people) Democracy (government is accountable to the people) Civic duty (become involved, jury duty) Civic duty (become involved, jury duty) Individual responsibility (for well being) Individual responsibility (for well being) Why do we know everyone is on board to the ideals of the system? Why do we know everyone is on board to the ideals of the system?

The Economic System American support free enterprise, but see limits on marketplace freedom. American support free enterprise, but see limits on marketplace freedom. Americans believe in equality of opportunity in the economy, but not equality of result. Americans believe in equality of opportunity in the economy, but not equality of result. Americans have a widely shared commitment to economic individualism Americans have a widely shared commitment to economic individualism

Comparing America with other nations Sweden has a well- developed democracy, but its political culture is more deferential than participatory Believe in “what is best” Value equality more than liberty (equal pay) Rarely challenge court decisions. Also, take a look a Japan’s political culture

In your notes; Explore Japan’s political structure. Explore Japan’s political structure. How is the degree of democracy compared to US, Sweden, and one country of your choice. How is the degree of democracy compared to US, Sweden, and one country of your choice.

Civic Role of Government Americans are more religious compared to Europeans Americans are more religious compared to Europeans Religious beliefs have played an important role in American politics, community volunteer orgs., etc. Religious beliefs have played an important role in American politics, community volunteer orgs., etc.

Historical Roots American Revolution over liberty American Revolution over liberty Constitution established to reconcile personal liberty with social control Constitution established to reconcile personal liberty with social control Jeffersonian transition in 1800 spawned suspicion of government Jeffersonian transition in 1800 spawned suspicion of government Religious diversity Religious diversity “Protestant ethic”- work hard, save $, follow laws-Max Weber “Protestant ethic”- work hard, save $, follow laws-Max Weber

Historical Roots cont. Family instills the way we think about politics (at first) Family instills the way we think about politics (at first) Class consciousness Class consciousness

The Culture War Classes argue over values Classes argue over values Orthodox; morality is more important than self expression, morality comes from God Orthodox; morality is more important than self expression, morality comes from God Progressive: personal freedom is as, or more, important than tradition; rules change based on circumstances of modern life and individual preferences Progressive: personal freedom is as, or more, important than tradition; rules change based on circumstances of modern life and individual preferences

Mistrust of government Causes Causes Watergate Watergate Vietnam Vietnam Clinton impeachment Clinton impeachment ???Bailouts???? ???Bailouts???? Others? Others?

Political Efficacy Citizen’s capacity to understand and influence political events Citizen’s capacity to understand and influence political events Has two parts; Internal and external Has two parts; Internal and external Internal Internal Confidence in one’s ability to understand and influence events Confidence in one’s ability to understand and influence events Currently, about the same as in 1950s Currently, about the same as in 1950s

Political Efficacy External External Belief that the system will respond to citizens Belief that the system will respond to citizens Not shaped by particular events Not shaped by particular events Declined steadily since the 1960s Declined steadily since the 1960s Americans seem to believe that government is becoming too big to respond to individual preferences Americans seem to believe that government is becoming too big to respond to individual preferences Conclusion….Americans may be more realistic

Political Tolerance In your notes. Americans are becoming more tolerant. Do you agree or disagree? Americans are becoming more tolerant. Do you agree or disagree? Make sure to answer all seven questions in the power point before class. Be prepared to discuss and/or bring your questions to the table. Make sure to answer all seven questions in the power point before class. Be prepared to discuss and/or bring your questions to the table.