Chapter 4American Political Culture

Political culture

A. Tocqueville on American democracy1. No feudal aristocracy; minimal taxes; few

legal restraints

2. Westward movement; vast territory provided opportunities

3. Nation of small, independent farmers

4. "Moral and intellectual characteristics"--today called "political cul ture"

Elements of the American political system

A. Liberty -the ability to do as one pleases. Getting our rights!

B. Equality -politically and with the same opportunities to succeed.

C. Democracy -govt. officials should be accountable to the people.

D. Civic duty -Americans should participate in community affairs.

E. Individual responsibility -barring disability, we are responsible for ourselves!

Some questions about the U.S. political culture

A. How do we know people share these beliefs?Answer: (before polls) beliefs inferred from books,

speeches, etc.

B. How do we explain behavior inconsistent with these beliefs?Answer: beliefs still important, cause changes in behavior.

C. Why is there so much political conflict in U.S. history?Answer: beliefs contradict one another, are not

consistently prioritized.

D. Most consistent evidence of political culture?Answer: use of terms "Americanism," "un-American"

The Economic System

A. Americans support free enterprise, but see limits on marketplace freedom

B. Americans prefer equality of opportunity over equality of result

C. Americans have a shared commitment to economic individualism (1924 and 1977 polls)

Comparing America with other nations: Religious belief

A. Americans highly religious compared to Europeans

B. Religious beliefs have played an important role in American politics

C. Both liberals and conservatives use the pulpit to promote political change

The source of political culture

A.A. Historical rootsHistorical roots1. Revolution essentially over liberty;

preoccupied with asserting rights

2.2. Adversarial cultureAdversarial culture due to distrust of authority and a belief that human nature is depraved

3. Federalist-Jeffersonian transition in 1800a) Legitimated role of opposition party; liberty and liberty and

political change can coexistpolitical change can coexist

The source of political culture: Legal-sociological factors

A. Widespread (not universal) participation permitted by Constitution

B. Absence of an established national religion1. Religious diversity a source of division2. Absence of established religion has

facilitated the absence of a single political orthodoxy

C. Puritan heritage (dominant tradition) stress on personal achievement:

1. Work, Save money, Obey secular laws, Do good works and Embrace "Protestant ethic" (work ethic)

D. Miniature political systems produced by churches' congregational organization

The source of political culture: Family

A. Family instills the ways we think about world and politics

1. Greater freedom of children and equality among family members leads to belief in rights & acceptance of diverse views in decision-making

B. High degree of class consciousness absent

1. Most consider themselves middle class

2. Even unemployed do not oppose management

3. Message of Horatio Alger stories is still popular

Mistrust of government

A. Evidence of increase since mid-1960s1. Vietnam

2. Watergate

3. Jimmy Carter speech in 1979 on American malaise

B. Why do we mistrust government today?

C. What do we not trust?