Modern theories of American democracy – how it works 1. PLURALISM – Policymaking should be open to participation of all groups with no single group dominating (Dahl) 2. ELITISM - Pluralists too optimistic/unrealistic – Upper class elite (the wealthy/big business) pulls the strings of government. (Schattschneider) 3.

3. HYPERPLURALISM – “pluralism gone sour” – Lots of groups out there, so many competing groups that government can’t act. Also too many ways for groups to get their way – multiple levels of government and veto points at which groups can use the political system to their advantage. The “public interest” loses out.

Challenges to democracy Complexity of issues (can average citizen understand them? If not, what does it mean for representatives to carry out citizens’ preferences?) Limited participation in government (especially by young people) Rising campaign costs – money talks… Policy gridlock (relates to hyperpluralism)

POLITICAL CULTURE Paradox: diversity and unity Ethnic and religious heterogeneity Relative homegeneity of political beliefs (Samuel Huntington and others have said)

What is the American political culture What is the American political culture?/set of values widely shared by American citizens? 1. Liberty (freedom – see first amendment: freedom speech, religion, assembly) – freedom “from” 2. Egalitarianism (Declaration of Independence – “all men created equal”, but equality of opportunity not outcome

3. Individualism – related to #1 (liberty) – individuals should be free to get ahead on their own, aversion to control by government (distrust of government, particularly central government) 4. Laissez faire (both in government and in markets – leave citizens and businesses alone)

5. Populism – “government of, for, by the people – (Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, also Pat Buchanan, Ronald Reagan – “get government off the backs of the people”

Elements of American political culture – What makes us Americans? Individuals have rights Individuals are equal under law Gov’t must be limited to protect rights State as instrument for serving individuals Rule of Law/Constitutionalism Joining Faith (despite separation of church & state)

Consensus theory: Americans share a consensus on basic political beliefs DeTocqueville (French – 1830s) – social and political equality Louis Hartz (American – 1950s) – the dark side of the ‘liberal consensus’ –dangers of unanimity of political thought

Critique of Unified political culture/consensus theory 1. Alternative philosophies/beliefs (e.g. socialism, communism) 2. Inegalitarian beliefs – white supremacism, etc. 3. Different cultures within American states, regions – Daniel Elazar (1970s):