Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Defining the U.S. Political Culture Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman

Defining the U.S. Political Culture

Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to government and to one another


Where We Learn the American Political Culture

Schools teach an idealized view of the nation’s slogans and

symbols

Family Schools

Number of times a week American families say that

they eat together



Peers and Community

Research shows that in heterogeneous communities, political participation tends

to be higher, with more contested and competitive elections, and with more political debate than in

homogeneous communities

Religion

Those raised in religious households tend to be socialized to contribute

to society and to get involved in their

communities



Media

More than two-thirds of Americans report that they receive “all or

most” of their news from television

Political Ideology

A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government

Involves the views of people and how government should work and how it actually worksTwo major schools of political ideology thought: liberalism & conservatism



Political Ideology: A Consistent Pattern of Beliefs About

Political Values and the Role of Government

Liberalism

A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity

Seek to extend

opportunities to all,

regardless of how poor they

may be

Liberals believe in the probability of success

Rights to own propertySome government intervention in the economy is necessary to remedy the defects of capitalism Government must eliminate discriminationUnion’s rights to organizeWish to preserve the rights of the individualFavor a minimum wage requirement

Advocate equal access to health care, housing, and educationBelieve in affirmative action, protections for workers health and safety, tax rates based on wealth of an individualGovernment must provide programs to offset the loss of liberties brought by modern technology and industrialization



Political Ideology: A Consistent Pattern of Beliefs About

Political Values and the Role of Government

Conservatism

A belief that limited government ensures order, competitive markets, and personal opportunity

Supports a belief in private

property and free enterprise

Conservatives are pro-business

Enhance individual liberty by keeping government small, especially the national governmentSupport a strong national defensePeople need strong leadership, firm laws, and strict moral codesGovernment’s role is to maintain order & protect the nation from foreign enemies

People are architects of their own fortune and must solve their own problem and create their own successFavor tax cutsDislike environmental regulations on corporationsEncourages free and fair tradePromotes family values



Liberalism and Conservatism


Political Ideology and the American People

Figure 4-2

Moderates are in the middle and tend to have views that are between these two positions, perhaps with some views on one end of the spectrum and other views on the other end of the spectrum, dependent on the issue.


Political Ideology and the American People

Figure 4-1


Differences in

Political Ideology

A lesson on ideology

PowerPoint created by Kellye Self

YLI teacher

Expanding the Political Spectrum!


Limitations in the Spectrum

There are limitations to the one-line spectrum when determining political ideology for an individual.

In reality, there are two spectrums:Social/Political SpectrumEconomic Spectrum

Because there are really two spectrums, many “ideology surveys” label a significant portion of those who take the test as moderate because they are measuring standards from both spectrums, yet trying to place it on one spectrum.

Extreme: Anarchy Extreme: Fascism, Theocracy

Social & Political Spectrum

Social and political liberals favor limited government regulation of individual behavior.

Examples:Favor protection of offensive language.

Oppose censorship of film, music, etc.

Pro-choice abortion stance.Oppose government sponsored religious activity.

Favor protection of homosexual rights.

Favor affirmative action programs.

Social and political conservatives favor broad government regulation of individual behavior

Examples:Oppose protection of offensive language.

Favor regulation of film, music, etc.

Pro-life abortion stance.Favor government-facilitated religious activity, particularly in school.

Oppose protection of homosexual rights.

Oppose affirmative action programs.

Extreme: Socialism, Communism Extreme: Laissez-Faire, Monopoly

Economic Spectrum Economic liberals favor

broad government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business.Favor higher taxes, particularly progressive (based on income level).

Programs assisting the poor such as Medicaid and Head Start.

Redistribution of income (welfare; social security).

Anti-trust legislation.Sympathize with labor in Labor-Management issues.

Economic conservatives favor limited government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business.Favor lower taxes, particularly regressive (flat tax, sales taxes).

Fewer programs with the goal of redistributing income (private charitable assistance; invest own money for retirement).

Oppose government regulation of market choices.

Sympathize with business in Labor-Management issues.

So, where do you fit? If you are like many Americans, you may tend to

be more conservative on some issues and more liberal on others.

The limitation of one spectrum is that this circumstance will generally place you in the middle, which is not necessarily an accurate

reflection of your ideology. Remember, all of this discussion takes place with a base understanding and consensus on the social contract and modern “liberal” political thought.

People on every point on the spectrum generally want what is best for the country—they just differ

on how to achieve it.

Govt.

Control

Economic Issues

Libertarian

Conservative Totalitarian

Liberal

Govt.

ControlFreedom

Ideology Grid

DefinitionsLiberal

Support for greater government control/regulation in economic matters and less government control/regulation of individual matters.

LibertarianSupport for minimal government control of both economic and social issues

ConservativeSupport for less government control/regulation in economic matters and greater government control/regulation of individual matters.

TotalitarianSupport for complete government control of economic and social issues

Liberal Conservative

Favor change over status quo

Favor tradition over change

Rights of the Individual are

more important

Rights of the community are

more important


Socialism

Bernard Sanders, a self-described socialist, is a Congressman from Vermont

An economic and governmental

system based on public ownership of

the means of production and

exchange

American Socialists favor a greatly expanded role for the

governmentWant to nationalize certain industriesInstitute a public jobs program so that all who want to work could workTax the wealthy much more heavilyDrastically cut defense spending


Socialism is an economic and governmental system based on public ownership of the means of production and exchange


Libertarianism

Bob Barr (center), Libertarian candidate for president in 2008

An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists

on a minimal government,

promoting a free-market economy, a noninterventionist foreign policy, and

an absence of regulation in moral,

economic, and social life

Libertarians cherish individual liberty

Oppose all government programsFavor massive cuts in government spending and an end to the FBI, CIA, & IRSDon’t want the US to join the United NationsFavored armed forces that would defend the US ONLY if directly attackedOppose all government regulation (ex: helmet laws or mandatory seat belts)


Want to get rid of laws that regulate personal morality– Abortion– Pornography– Prostitution– Illicit drugs

Libertarian

Govt.

Control

Economic Issues

Conservative Totalitarian

Liberal

Govt.

ControlFreedom

Most people will fit somewhere within the

parameters of this circle.

Ideology Grid

Ideology? Ideology?

Voter A: “I worked my way up

from poverty to become the

successful business owner I am

today. I get frustrated when I

think that my tax money goes to

support people who won’t help

themselves. I think part of the

blame belongs with the media –

they promote all the wrong

values.”

Voter B: “I really don’t care

what other people do in their free

time, as long as they don’t bother

me. I sure don’t like it when the

government tells me what to do

with my money or in my own

home – I’m certainly not going to

turn around and do the same

thing to my neighbors.”

Ideology? Ideology?

Voter C: “I really worry

about the state of the

world today. It seems like

more and more kids are

growing up in poverty and

there’s no one there to

help them. I think we need

to do more toward

providing healthcare and

education programs for our

young people.”

Voter D: “These days, you

can’t be too careful. I think we

need to spend a lot more money

on the national defense. I wish

there was a police officer on

every corner! The police could

search my car all they want,

since I don’t break the law. I

also think the government

should crack down on the media

– their reporting gives our

enemies an inside look at all our

military preparations.”

Documents

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Defining the U.S. Political Culture Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens