Individual citizens hold a variety of beliefs about their government, its leaders, and the U.S. political system in general; taken together, these beliefs form the foundation of U.S. political culture. It is important for students to understand how these beliefs are formed, how they evolve, and the processes by which they are transmitted. Students should know why U.S. citizens hold certain beliefs about politics, and how families, schools, and the media act to perpetuate or change these beliefs. Understanding the ways in which political culture affects and informs political participation is also critical. For example, students should know that individuals often engage in multiple forms of political participation, including voting, protest, and mass movements. Students should understand why individuals engage in various forms of political participation and how that participation may affect the political system. Finally, it is essential that students understand what leads citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs and behavior and the political consequences of these differences. To understand these differences, students should focus on the demographic features of the American population and the different views that people hold of the political process. They should be aware of group differences in political beliefs and behavior. Students should also understand how changes in political participation affect the political system. II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Political Culture v. Ideology Political Culture A set of general attitudes, ideas and beliefs Broadly informs and shapes a region’s politics Ideology A set of specific attitudes, ideas and beliefs Provides or advocates a coherent plan for social, political, or economic action Political culture is different from ideology because people can disagree on ideology, but still have a common political culture.

Ideology is individual. It orders an individual's political thoughts. People with the same ideology often form groups, but an ideology guides individual political thought. Political culture is shared (i.e. it is societal). Example: Many people in the United States are classic liberals (meaning they focus on the rights of individuals). By contrast, many people in China reject liberalism. Liberalism is an ideology since it is held by individuals. However, we can use elements from political culture to explain the strength of an ideology. Many people in the United States are liberals because the value of the individual is part of our political culture. By contrast, the value of groups of people is reflected in Chinese poliltical culture, resulting in a rejection by many individuals of liberalism.

(1) a particular distribution of political attitudes, values, feelings, information and skills that affects a political system. (4) the traditional orientation of the citizens of a nation toward politics, affecting their perceptions of political legitimacy (5) Norms and beliefs about politics that are shared and transmitted to others. (3) A belief system that explains and justifies a preferred economic and governmental order for society, offers strategies for its maintenance or attainment and helps give meaning to public events, personalities and policies (2) a set of beliefs and ideas that one can apply to policies and events ; one’s political moral code and world view

(1) a particular distribution of political attitudes, values, feelings, information and skills that affects a political system c. (4) the traditional orientation of the citizens of a nation toward politics, affecting their perceptions of political legitimacy c (5) Norms and beliefs about politics that are shared and transmitted to others. c (3) A belief system that explains and justifies a preferred economic and governmental order for society, offers strategies for its maintenance or attainment and helps give meaning to public events, personalities and policies i (2) a set of beliefs and ideas that one can apply to policies and events ; one’s political moral code and world view i

comp 2009 The following are acceptable definitions: A coherent set of values and beliefs about the goals of government, public policy, or politics. A belief system about how government should rule, be run, or implement policies. A set of beliefs or guiding principles about government and policy. A set of aims, principles, and ideas that inform political practice. Notes:  Definition must indicate that __________is not just one idea or opinion but is a pattern of belief(s) about politics, policy, or government.

American values freedom/liberty

American Beliefs Conservative in theory, liberal in practice

American values Equality... but of opportunity, not result Political tolerance More in abstract than in concrete

individualism

Limited Government

Mistrust in government--esp. Since the 1960's

Another result of FREEDOM and individualism and distrust of gov’t and... That ole protestant work ethic.

Proud to be American Litigious Less class conscious More religious SEE handout from PEW comparing US and.....

What has shaped our political culture? History founding fathers who distrust human nature and authority first "new" nation--put ideas into practice assert our rights--make us more adversarial--not gradual evolution of rights like UK no history of aristocracy, no strong socialist or communist party Western Frontier--lots of room to expand, opportunity, run over others (Western states, especially individual, and democratic: weak parties, more women in politics, more initiatives etc) Founders escape religious freedom (though had it in Holland-so escape here for economic opportunity) Religion Many Americans cite religion as important in life Religious leaders use pulpit for political change Protestant work ethic

Family structure--more equal, kids have rights, talk back etc Economic system: capitalism depends on individual rights, less reliance on state Government efforts--promote capitalism, school socialization, etc.

Ideological Battlegrounds: Four Perspectives four ideological groupings in American politics: Conservatives favor limitation of the government's role in the economy, including low taxation, but they often favor strong governmental activism in such areas of social affairs as regulation of pornography. Populists are liberal in economic affairs, favoring governmental regulation of the economy, but they are conservative in social affairs, often siding with conservatives on social issues. Libertarians are consistent in favoring sharp limitations on government action in either the economic or social spheres. Libertarians thus may oppose almost all government regulations, whether environmental regulations or attempts to regulate drug use. Liberals favor economic activism by government, including protection of the environment and consumers, but in social affairs they are apt to oppose government intervention such as restrictions on abortion

___________is a political philosophy that emphasizes that the common person is being oppressed by elites so that the instruments of the state need to be grasped from this self- serving elite and used for the benefit and advancement of the people as a whole.

Where Do You Fit? The Political Party Test Make sure you look at social issues/economic issues as well as overall AND how you compare based on gender religion etc i ote2012/quiz/

marriage See EXIT poos e/president

How do we measure the political beliefs of Americans? And why’s it matter what Americans think? Don’t forget elections... And the census...

Finally, it is essential that students understand what leads citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs and behavior and the political consequences of these differences. To understand these differences, students should focus on the demographic features of the American population and the different views that people hold of the political process. They should be aware of group differences in political beliefs and behavior. Students should also understand how changes in political participation affect the political system.

For the presidential candidates and the pundits who write about them, one concern in the 2008 campaign is the "religion gap" -- shorthand for the religious differences between Republican and Democratic voters. An analysis of national exit polls from 2004 shows there is not one but two religion gaps - - one based on religious affiliation and the other based on frequency of attendance at worship services. In the 2004 presidential election, exit polling by the National Election Pool found that religious affiliation and frequency of attendance at worship services had a larger impact than many other, better-known factors, including the "gender gap" between men and women and the "class gap" between the most and least affluent voters. Note the effect of Cross cutting cleavages

Evangelical Protestants" refers to respondents who described themselves as white, born-again and Protestant as well as respondents who described themselves as white, born-again and Other Christian. "Mainline Protestants" refers to respondents who described themselves as white, non-born- again and Protestant. "Black Protestants" refers to respondents who described themselves as black and Protestant as well as respondents who described themselves as black and Other Christian. "Latino Protestants" refers to respondents who described themselves as Hispanic and Protestant as well as respondents who described themselves as Hispanic and Other Christian. "Non-Latino Catholics" refers to respondents who described themselves as Catholic but not Hispanic. "Latino Catholics" refers to respondents who described themselves as Hispanic and Catholic. "Other Christians" refers to respondents who described themselves as Mormon as well as respondents who described themselves as white, non-born-again and Other Christian. "Jews" refers to respondents who described themselves as Jewish. "Other Faiths" refers to respondents who described themselves as Muslim as well as respondents who reported that they regularly attend worship services and described their religious affiliation as "Something Else." "Unaffiliated" refers to respondents who claimed no religious affiliation as well as infrequent worship service attenders who described their religious affiliation as "Something Else."

Political Socialization Definition: the process through which the individual gets political knowledge, feelings and evaluation regarding the political system

Media

School all regimes target the youth for obvious reasons... in part this is just civics also--a more educated citizenry is more likely to be "informed" which is a critical aspect of democracy

Other ways governments act as agents of socialization—by promoting _________(the belief that someone who occupies the same territory has something important in common which makes them superior) which helps them achieve __________. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran said his country was seeking better ways to make atomic fuel. NYT 4/17/2006

Propaganda Definition: ideas, facts or rumors spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opponent's cause extremes of the CPI (Committee on Public Information) but it is also the "spin" all politicians put on their actions and proposals but: compare it to China or former Soviet Union where press is controlled by government Text books

More governments attempts to socialize making possible certain kinds of participation e.g. the ________amendment (right to vote for 18 year olds) Censorship or P______ __________” The American Library Association says that among the most frequently challenged books of the decade were: I know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stein

Importance of civil society to political socialization

Other Concerted Attempts to Socialize you :

Other agents of socialization can be based on your experiences connected to... Religion Ethnicity Gender Region Race Income Level of education... cleavages

The Expanding American Electorate 1789: Adult, White Men, Property Owners 1850: literacy laws & poll taxes enforced 1866: 14th Amd. granted right to all 21 year old men 1870: 15th Amd. granted right to vote to Blacks 1920: 19th Amd. granted right to vote to women 1964: 24th Amd. outlaws poll taxes 1965: Voting Rights Act fully incorporates Black voters 1971: 26th Amd. granted right to vote to 18 year olds 1975: VRA Amendment to include language minorities (bilingual voting info)

The archbishop of Washington, Theodore E. McCarrick, addressing demonstrators at an immigration rally Monday in Washington. Throngs of immigrants and their supporters called for legal status and citizenship for illegal immigrants. NYT 4/10/2006 Other types of Participation Directed at Congress Directed at the Sup Ct What did the book id as “unconventional political participation?

Civil Disobediance

What are these? Social MOVEMENTS

Grass Roots: Political involvement that stems from members of a community rather than from established political organizations. Vs “astroturfaf” Artificially manufactured movement designed to give the appearance of grass roots.

Reinforcing and Cross-Cutting Cleavages Societal cleavages (e.g. race, class, religion, gender, region, etc) can produce conflict and disagreement among the population over politics and policy. Reinforcing Cleavages If cleavages overlap with each other, this can heighten the conflict and be more divisive. The disagreements produced by one division (e.g. class), will reinforce the divisions produced by another (e.g. race). Finding agreement and compromise across groups in this situation can be that much more difficult. Cross-cutting Cleavages If cleavages cut across each other, this can lessen the presence of conflict across groups Disagreements produced by one division can produce cross-pressures for individuals and mitigate the divisions they may experience by way of another cleavage Cross-pressures help produce "bridges" across the cleavages, making agreement and compromise more likely.