1. American Federal Government
Introductory Themes
American Political Culture

2. Introductory Themes and American Political Culture
Political Power
Authority
Legitimacy

3. Conceptions of Democracy
Democratic Centralism
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy
popular sovereignty
citizen demands and government action
participation
deliberation
majority rule

4. Majority Rule: Good or Bad?
No guarantee of good decisions
Majority tyranny can threaten minorities
Apathy toward politics

5. Who Really Governs? Different approaches Marxist Elitist Bureaucratic
Pluralist

7. Political Culture Definition
A basic set of shared values, attitudes and beliefs that differentiate Americans from citizens of other countries

8. Myths about the Founding of the American Republic
British as tyrranical
All the colonists favored independence
Colonists were militarily superior
American Revolution as a symbol of freedom for the world
Constitution was divinely inspired

9. Characteristics of American Political Culture
Equality of opportunity, not outcome
Individual responsibility
Mistrust of government & governmental power
Limited government
Religion and faith
Providence, abundance, and Manifest Destiny
Associationalism and civic duty
Greater inclusion of “out-groups”?

10. American Political Culture Compared
High confidence in political institutions
Lower confidence in people running political institutions
Religiosity
Declining sense of political efficacy

11. Confidence in Institutions: America and Europe Compared

12. Confidence in People Running American Institutions

13. Religiosity: The United States Compared (World Values Study, 1990s)

14. Religion is Important in My Life (Associated Press/IPSOS Poll, Summer 2005)

15. Religious Leaders Should/Should Not Try to Influence Government Decisions (Associated Press/IPSOS Poll, Summer 2005)

16. Population of the US by Race and Ethnicity (Census Bureau)

17. Population Change in the US 1980-2000

18. Changes in U.S. Occupational Structure

19. Changes in Where We Live

20. Race & Ethnicity Blacks/African-Americans Latinos/Hispanics
migration, political protest, civil rights
issue divisions
Latinos/Hispanics
diversity as a group
low political mobilization
exception? South Florida

21. Race & Ethnicity Asian Americans Native Americans recent immigration
considerably diverse group
issue foci
Native Americans
scattering of distinct cultures
conquered nations, poverty, and protest
new economic development: casino gambling

22. 1996 Presidential Vote by Ethnicity

23. 2000 Presidential Vote by Ethnicity

24. Class in American Politics?
Most Americans believe they are in the middle class
What is the definition? Gingrich vs. Clinton
Tolerance for income inequality

25. Income Distribution: The U.S. Compared

26. Gender in American Politics
The Gender Gap
a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting differences in views between men and women
Example:
--> Sexual Harassment in the workplace
24% of men say it is a serious problem
38% of women say it is a serious problem
(ICPSR /ANES 1992 pre/post election surveys)

27. Gender Gap in Voting: 1992/96 Vote for Clinton

28. Gender Gap in Voting: 2000 Election, Gore/Bush

29. Religion in American Politics
Secularism and protest
Values, culture, and moral issues
abortion
Rise or Demise of the Christian Right?
The GOP connection

30. Membership in the Christian Coalition, 1989-95

31. Ideology: Moderates Carry the Day