1. We the People 8th ed.
Thomas E. Patterson

2. PowerPoint Presentationby
Diane Feibel, Ed.D.

3. American Political Culture: Seeking a More Perfect Union
Chapter 1

4. Political Culture: The Core Principles of American Government
American ideals: basis of our national identity
Political culture: beliefs of a people about their government and politics
European (Enlightenment) thought and practice shaped beliefs
© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

5. © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
America’s Core Values
Liberty: freedom to act and think as one chooses but no infringement on freedom of others
Equality: all individuals equal in worth, legal treatment, and political voice
Self-government: people are ultimate source of governing authority
© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

6. © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
America’s Core Values
Power and limits of Americans’ ideals
Lofty claim “all men are created equal,” yet slavery existed
Restricted immigration based on ethnic origin
Until 1965 Asian immigration seriously restricted
Liberal immigration from Europe
Drive toward a more equal society evident in the country’s elaborate system of higher education
© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

7. Telling the American Story to Children
© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

8. Politics: The Resolution of Conflict
The social contract
Thomas Hobbes: Subjects surrender freedom for protection
John Locke: Government cannot deprive subjects of certain rights
Jean Jacques Rousseau: Government enacts the will of the people
© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

9. Politics: The Resolution of Conflict
Rules of the game of politics
Democracy: our form of government
people govern directly or through elected representatives
Constitutionalism: limits on government
protection of individual rights
Capitalism: our economic system
free enterprise and self-reliance
minimal governmental interference
© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

10. Political Power and Authority: The Control of Policy
Theories of Power
Majoritarianism: government by the people
Pluralism: government by groups (i.e. farmers, welfare advocates, lawyers, etc.), not necessarily for the public benefit
Elitism: government by a few
Bureaucratic rule: government by administrators
Who governs?
© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

11. The Concept of a Political System
Political system: parts of American government
Parts are separate
Parts connect with each other
Parts affect and interact with each other
Dynamic system, changing as needed
© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

12. American Political System
Five overriding tendencies:
Enduring cultural ideals
Fragmentation of governance based on checks and balances
Competition between diverse groups
Emphasis on individual rights and responsibilities
Economic and political decision making separate  economic issues out of political control
© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.