1. American Citizens and Political Culture
Chapter 2

2. In this chapter we will learn about
Our roots as immigrants and the role of immigration in American politics
Demographic trends that help us see what Americans are like in terms of crucial variables such as age, race, income level, and education, and the ways these trends affect American political life
American political beliefs—those that pull us together as a nation and those that drive us into partisan divisions

3. Who are we?
The United States is incredibly diverse and constantly changing.
Population trends include rising percentages of senior citizens, ethnic minorities, immigrants, and non-English speakers in the American population.

4. Who are we?
These trends affect our political culture. We will have a larger percentage of people relying on social security, and a smaller percentage of people who are working and not retired. The growing number of immigrants and non- English speakers has led to new forms of discrimination and more stringent immigration laws.

5. Beware of statistics
Charts and graphs help communicate information about large numbers, but they can also be easily manipulated.
Typical ways statistics and charts can be misleading: altering the baseline, using misleading averages, not using constant dollars, not showing populations as a percentage of the base, and implying that there is a cause when none exists

6. Where do we come from? You are an American citizen if you are
Born in the United States, whether or not parents are citizens (jus soli—“the right of the soil”)
Born to American parents abroad (jus sanguinis—“the right by blood”)

7. Where do we come from?
Immigrants: citizens or subjects of other countries who move to another country to live or work
Naturalization: the legal process of acquiring citizenship for someone who has not acquired it by birth

8. Sample naturalization exam questions
Who elects the president of the United States?
Who said “Give me liberty, or give me death”?
In what year was the Constitution written?
In what month is the new president inaugurated?
Click here to see a sample Naturalization Test
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9. Nonimmigrants Those seeking asylum
Asylum: protection or sanctuary, especially from political persecution
Refugees: individuals who flee an area or a country because of persecution on the basis of race, nationality, religion, group membership, or political opinion

10. Nonimmigrants Nonpermanent resident students, workers, visitors
Illegal immigrants avoid U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations
Often obey laws, pay taxes, but strain some states’ resources

11. U.S. immigration policy We control immigration because
We prefer to admit those able to help the United States.
We historically have limited immigration of some groups.

12. U.S. immigration policy
Immigration law today is controlled by the Department of Homeland Security
Post–September 11 security worries
Illegal immigration through Mexican border
The INS is now called the USCIS
Many states are adopting strict immigration laws like the new laws in Arizona

13. English Only vs. English Plus
Some Americans believe in an “English Only” or “Official English” point of view.
Official English means that, except in matters of public safety, English should be the only language sanctioned and used by the government—not only for official business in Congress, the courts, and the executive branch, but also on driver’s license applications, ballots, applications for federal aid, and tax forms.

14. English Only vs. English Plus (cont’d.)
Their opponents advocate a concept they call “English Plus.”
English is the primary language in the United States
the languages that immigrants bring with them are a valuable resource that should be preserved.
They say that the guarantee of equal rights in the Constitution means that until people do learn English, they have a right to language assistance to give them equal access to American society.

15. What do we have?
What we have now in the United States is close to an English Plus model.
The rich diversity of the American people is one of the United States’ greatest strengths, combining talents, tradition, culture, and custom from every corner of the world. But our diversity, far from being uniformly celebrated, has also contributed to some of the nation’s deepest conflicts.

16. What we believe: The ideas that unite us
Political culture: the broad patterns of ideas, beliefs, and values about citizens and government held by the citizens of a country
Values: central ideas, principles, or standards that most people agree are important
We often take our political culture for granted or aren’t aware of it.
Often, our values are shared and handed down.

17. Faith in rules and individuals
Most Americans believe we should focus on fair rules and processes rather than guaranteeing results, and on individuals being responsible for their own success.
Other democracies, such as those in Sweden and Norway, concentrate on substantive guarantees: assuring outcomes are fair.
Govt Controls
Individual Controls

18. Faith in rules and individuals
Procedural guarantees: government assurance that the rules will work smoothly and treat everyone fairly, with no promise of particular outcomes
For example:
The government ensures equal opportunity in the job market... They do not guarantee that everyone will get an equal paying job or even that they will get a job at all

19. Faith in rules and individuals, cont’d.
Individualism: belief that what is good for society is based on what is good for individuals
Individuals, not government, are responsible for their own well-being.
In the United States our politics revolves around the belief that individuals are usually the best judges of what is good for them; we assume that what is good for society will follow automatically

20. Faith in rules and individuals, cont’d.
This contrasts with a collectivist point of view, which gives government some responsibility for individual welfare and holds that what is good for society may not be the same as what is in the interest of individuals. VS

21. Core American values
Democracy: representative democracy is a fair way to make decisions
Freedom: procedural view that no unfair restrictions will be placed on you
Equality: Americans believe in equality of treatment, access, and opportunity but not in guaranteeing equality of result

22. What we believe: The ideas that divide us
Ideologies: sets of beliefs about politics and society that help people make sense of their world
In our political culture, the range of ideological debate is narrow compared to other democracies. Additionally, we have fewer political parties than in other post-industrial, democratic nations.

23. What we believe: The ideas that divide us, cont’d.
Conservatives: people who generally favor limited government and are cautious about change

24. What we believe: The ideas that divide us, cont’d.
Liberals: people who generally favor government action and view change as progress
LIBERAL BRAIN

25. Ideological dimensions
The economic dimension
Conservatives prefer little government involvement in economy
Liberals see a positive government role
The social order dimension
Economic security has led Americans to become more concerned with quality-of- life and moral issues
Division over limited versus more active government control of individual lives

26. Ideological dimensions
Govt intervention needed
Govt intervention not needed

27. Relationship between the ideological dimensions
The two dimensions do not dovetail neatly
Leaves different mixes of ideological groups
Economic liberals
Social liberals
Economic conservatives
Social conservatives
Libertarians
Communitarians

28. The citizens and American political beliefs
The United States has grown more democratic since Madison’s time.
More groups may vote and assert political rights.
Voter participation is not high, however.
Many argue that American political culture has taken on a more divisive, less civil tone.

29. What are “hot button” issues now?
Immigration—English Plus immigration laws, amnesty and reduced, in-state tuition for college-aged immigrants
Jobs/Economy—The current recession has lasted a lot longer than expected. Jobs are scarce and the economy is still suffering. Many blame the current administration and advocate widespread change politically.