American Political Culture

We are unique!! Alexis de Tocqueville saw many reasons why democracy took hold in the US Alexis de Tocqueville saw many reasons why democracy took hold in the US No feudal aristocracy-low taxes-few legal restraints No feudal aristocracy-low taxes-few legal restraints Westward expansion-vast territory provided opportunities Westward expansion-vast territory provided opportunities Nation of small independent farmers Nation of small independent farmers Our moral and intellectual characteristics Our moral and intellectual characteristics

What is political culture? It is defined as a universally accepted way of thinking about how politics and government ought to be carried out

Our view of what’s important Liberty (our rights) Liberty (our rights) Equality (equal vote and opportunity) Equality (equal vote and opportunity) Democracy (government accountability) Democracy (government accountability) Civic duty (being involved) Civic duty (being involved) Individual responsibility (for your own actions and well-being) Individual responsibility (for your own actions and well-being)

How do we know??? Before polls, people looked at books, speeches and political choices Before polls, people looked at books, speeches and political choices Polls and personality tests show we share these beliefs and other nations don’t!! Polls and personality tests show we share these beliefs and other nations don’t!! uniqueness

Then why is there conflict? Self-interest and social circumstances Self-interest and social circumstances Broad values may not apply to specific controversial subjects Broad values may not apply to specific controversial subjects Beliefs contradict each other and are not consistently applied Beliefs contradict each other and are not consistently applied but evidence of a truly common political culture is the use of the term……….. but evidence of a truly common political culture is the use of the term………..

Americanism and un-American

What of economics? Americans support free enterprise but also place limits on that freedom Americans support free enterprise but also place limits on that freedom Believe in equality of opportunity but not equality of results Believe in equality of opportunity but not equality of results And we share a commitment to economic individualism And we share a commitment to economic individualism

A comparison to others Let’s look at Sweden – not participatory government, everyone votes but that’s all, Government is for specialists Don’t challenge decisions Equality more important than liberty Value harmony and observe obligations Japan they are very different – Value group decisions and social harmony, Avoid conflict, Decisions reached through discussion not application of rules, tremendous importance given to respecting hierarchy But here in the USA – assert our rights, emphasize individuality, competition, rules, and we treat others fairly but impersonally

More… Americans lag behind Europeans in voter turnout but not in other forms of participation Americans have more confidence in their government We acknowledge our flaws but still are “very proud” of our national identity and would be more willing “to fight” for our country in the event of war

Econ, religion and politics As you skim the text you will discover some amazing things: As you skim the text you will discover some amazing things: Americans favor economic freedom and value hard work Americans favor economic freedom and value hard work We are more “religious” than Europeans We are more “religious” than Europeans Churches are a major source of volunteerism Churches are a major source of volunteerism Religious beliefs have played an important role in US politics and everyone uses the pulpit to promote politics Religious beliefs have played an important role in US politics and everyone uses the pulpit to promote politics Candidates and religion go hand in hand here Candidates and religion go hand in hand here

Background? How about home! So where do these beliefs come from? So where do these beliefs come from? #1 place – the family instills the ways we think about the world and politics!!!!! #1 place – the family instills the ways we think about the world and politics!!!!! Our kids have greater freedom and there is equality among family members Our kids have greater freedom and there is equality among family members This leads to a belief in rights and acceptance of diverse views in decision making This leads to a belief in rights and acceptance of diverse views in decision making We are not so class conscious – We are not so class conscious – we consider ourselves middle we consider ourselves middle class and success is there for class and success is there for those who work hard!! those who work hard!!

The war over “values”… We clash over values We clash over values The war over cultural values reflects our deep differences in beliefs about private and public morality – standards that ought to govern individual behavior and social arrangements The war over cultural values reflects our deep differences in beliefs about private and public morality – standards that ought to govern individual behavior and social arrangements There are two “camps” on this issue… There are two “camps” on this issue…

Did you say “camps”? Yes I did… Yes I did… Orthodox believes that morality is as, or more, important than self expression and morality derives from the fixed rules of God Orthodox believes that morality is as, or more, important than self expression and morality derives from the fixed rules of God Progressive believes that personal freedom is as, or more, important than traditional rules and beliefs are based on circumstances of modern life and personal preferences Progressive believes that personal freedom is as, or more, important than traditional rules and beliefs are based on circumstances of modern life and personal preferences Also associated with “liberal” and “conservative” viewpoints… Also associated with “liberal” and “conservative” viewpoints…

“You lied!” You lied!”You lied!” The mistrust of government has increased dramatically since the 1950s The mistrust of government has increased dramatically since the 1950s That mistrust is directed at officials within the government, not the governmental system!!! That mistrust is directed at officials within the government, not the governmental system!!! Watergate Watergate Vietnam Vietnam Clinton Clinton Why such a change? Perhaps our naïve view of government in the 50s, fewer ways to express patriotism in the 60s and 70s?? Why such a change? Perhaps our naïve view of government in the 50s, fewer ways to express patriotism in the 60s and 70s??

Political efficacy… Internal efficacy – the ability to understand and take part in politics (do I or can I make a difference) Internal efficacy – the ability to understand and take part in politics (do I or can I make a difference) External efficacy – the willingness of the state to respond to the citizenry (does anyone care about me) External efficacy – the willingness of the state to respond to the citizenry (does anyone care about me) External has dropped sharply since the 1960 while internal efficacy has remained constant – External has dropped sharply since the 1960 while internal efficacy has remained constant – In other words, we believe in our governmental system but don’t think they believe in us… In other words, we believe in our governmental system but don’t think they believe in us…

Political tolerance (or lack of) Americans are steadily becoming more tolerant in general Americans are steadily becoming more tolerant in general Still, many believe we are too tolerant of harmful behaviors and they tend to defend common moral standards over protecting individual rights Still, many believe we are too tolerant of harmful behaviors and they tend to defend common moral standards over protecting individual rights Democracy is willing to defend a persons right to speak, even if what they say offends you to the core… a tough dilemma, huh?? Democracy is willing to defend a persons right to speak, even if what they say offends you to the core… a tough dilemma, huh??

What would you do?? Protestants holding a revival meeting? Protestants holding a revival meeting? Right to life group opposing abortion? Right to life group opposing abortion? People protesting a nuclear plant? People protesting a nuclear plant? Feminists organizing a march for women's rights? Feminists organizing a march for women's rights? Gays organizing for homosexual rights? Gays organizing for homosexual rights? Atheists preaching against God? Atheists preaching against God? Students organizing a sit-in to shut down city hall? Students organizing a sit-in to shut down city hall?

Unpopular groups? Unpopular groups survive for several reasons Most don’t act on their beliefs Usually no consensus on whom to persecute Office holders and activists are more tolerant than the general public Courts are sufficiently insulated from public opinion to enforce constitutional protections In other words, they’re there and they’re not going away, sorry…