Political Culture in thePolitical Culture in the United States United States

Chapter 4Chapter 4

DefinitionDefinitionA distinct way of thinking A distinct way of thinking

about how politics and the about how politics and the economy should beeconomy should be

Need a mix of govt. and Need a mix of govt. and private private

5 Elements of American 5 Elements of American Political CulturePolitical Culture

LibertyLibertyEqualityEqualityDemocracyDemocracyCivic DutyCivic Duty Individual ResponsibilityIndividual Responsibility

LibertyLibertyFree Enterprise system (Econ)Free Enterprise system (Econ)Bill of RightsBill of RightsReligious choice (Free Religious choice (Free

Exercise)Exercise)

EqualityEqualityEarning based on abilityEarning based on abilityFundraising for poorFundraising for poorGovt. programs for poorGovt. programs for poorEqual chanceEqual chance

DemocracyDemocracyPeople participate in the govt.People participate in the govt.Government represents usGovernment represents usGovt. is there for us by usGovt. is there for us by usMinority views considered (no Minority views considered (no

“mob” rule in USA)“mob” rule in USA)

Civic DutyCivic DutyCivic Duty—participationCivic Duty—participationCivic Competence—actions Civic Competence—actions

affect the governmentaffect the governmentHolding office, vote, educated Holding office, vote, educated

on issues/politicianson issues/politiciansLocal, state, national levelsLocal, state, national levels

Individual ResponsibilityIndividual ResponsibilityParticipation in govt.Participation in govt.We are responsible for our We are responsible for our

own actionsown actionsOur actions create our govt.Our actions create our govt.

Conflicting Elements?Conflicting Elements?Do Do all all Americans value these Americans value these

elements? Some? Most? Few?elements? Some? Most? Few?– Explain--Explain--

Deviants?, Law breakers?Deviants?, Law breakers?Corruption? Mistrust of govt.?Corruption? Mistrust of govt.?Civil war?Civil war?

Political IdeologyPolitical IdeologyViews on govt. policiesViews on govt. policiesA consistent way the A consistent way the

government should act on government should act on issuesissues

Relates to culture but is Relates to culture but is DIFFERENTDIFFERENT

Ideology Ideology comes fromcomes from culture culture

What is your ID?What is your ID? http://www.politicalcompass.org/http://www.politicalcompass.org/

indexindex

Culture comes from…Culture comes from… Founding fathers (Const.)Founding fathers (Const.) Religion and Family valuesReligion and Family values Major economic events (industrial Major economic events (industrial

revolution, Progressive movement)revolution, Progressive movement) Orthodox view=based on morals or Orthodox view=based on morals or

traditions (group-importance)traditions (group-importance) Progressive view=reaction to Progressive view=reaction to

current issues (self-importance)current issues (self-importance)

Think about this…Think about this…Mistrust in the governmentMistrust in the governmentEfficacy (internal/external)Efficacy (internal/external)Low voter turnoutLow voter turnout

Are we “Proud to be Are we “Proud to be American”?American”?

ToleranceTolerancePart of US culture is tolerance Part of US culture is tolerance

for other viewsfor other viewsFactions cancel each other Factions cancel each other

out, keep culture in checkout, keep culture in checkLiberty Liberty Valence v. Position IssuesValence v. Position Issues