Political Culture Wilson 4A

American Political Culture Who Governs  Do Americans trust their government?  Why do we accept great differences in wealth and income? To What Ends  Why does our government behave differently than governments in countries with similar constitutions?  What do we do to achieve equality?

Democracy in the US  Alexis de Tocqueville  No feudal aristocracy  Minimal taxes  Few legal restraints  Westward expansion  Opportunity  Small, independent farmers  Moral and intellectual characteristics

Political Culture  Distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out  Believe more strongly in political than in economic equality  Equal opportunity  Equal outcome

American View of Political Systems  Liberty – freedom, rights  Equality – voting, participation, success  Democracy – government accountable to the people  Civic Duty – community affairs, involvement  Individual Responsibility – care for self, well-being

Equality  All people are equally worthy  All people deserve equal treatment

Political Culture Questions  Do we share values?  Why do we act contrary?  How does it affect politics?

Economic System  Free Enterprise  With limits on marketplace freedom  Equality of Opportunity  Not equal results  Preferential treatments  Individualism

Comparison  Politics  Assert rights, individualism, competition, rules, fairness, diversity  Economics  Individualism, competition, freedom, profits  Civic Role  Duty, competence  Religion

Political Comparisons  Sweden  High voter turnout  Low participation  Defer decisions  Don’t challenge governments  Equality over liberty  Value harmony  Observe obligations  Japan  Value relationships  Group decisions  Social harmony  Sensitive to needs of others  Avoid conflicts  Respect for hierarchy

Economic Comparisons  Sweden  Equal pay  Top income limits  US  Freedom  Hard work  Self-interest

Civic Role Comparison  Duty  Belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs  US  British  Competence  Belief that one can affect government policies  Germany  Italy  Mexico

Religious Comparison  European  Lower attendance  Less observation  Fewer organizations  American  Source of service  Major role in development  Use pulpit to promote change  Continually mentioned