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Unit II American Political Culture

Unit II American Political Culture. The meaning and unique qualities of American Political Culture. What is political culture? consistent set of views as to the policies that government ought to pursue; what government should be like; the IDEAL America! (not reality).

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Unit II American Political Culture

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  1. Unit IIAmerican Political Culture

  2. The meaning and unique qualities of American Political Culture • What is political culture? consistent set of views as to the policies that government ought to pursue; what government should be like; the IDEAL America! (not reality)

  3. Persistence of Democratic Institutions in American CANNOT be explained by: • Our unique Constitution (it’s been stolen!) • Physical advantages of our country (it helps!)

  4. Other things we must consider: • Customs of our people or traditions • Examples? How are we unique? • “Moral and intellectual characteristics” de Tocqueville • Americans are more industrious • Americans are more individualistic • Americans believe they can change their station in life • Political Culture

  5. Definition of Political Culture • The inherited set of beliefs, attitudes, and opinions that Americans SHARE about how their government OUGHT to operate. • Example: Americans believe in political equality but not economic equality • NOT the same as political ideology!

  6. What is political ideology? • The philosophical differences between people about what the role of government ought to be regarding policy • Examples: • Liberal • Conservative • Populist • Libertarian • Etc…

  7. Four Elements that make up American Political Culture • Liberty: we should all be able to do what we want as long as no one gets hurt • Equality: equal political opportunity • We DO NOT want economic equality! • Democracy: officials are accountable to the people whom they serve • Civic Duty: people have an obligation to participate in the political process be cause they have a right to do so!

  8. How do we know that Americans share these core beliefs? • Inferred by the books we read (buy) • Speeches we hear (political) • Slogans we respond to • Political choices we make • Observations of foreigners • Opinion Polls

  9. How do we explain behaviors that are inconsistent with our political culture? • Self interest (our BELIEFS remain the same, our behaviors do not) • Social circumstances (might not be “cool” for everyone to really be equal ) • We believe in equality, don’t always act on it • Religious discrimination? • Cliques? • Beliefs important as a change agent • Our ideals have resulted in changed behavior • Voting Rights • Equal Pay

  10. If there is agreement on certain political values, why have we had so much political conflict? *The conflict has been over specific policies, not values. • Historians disagree about which values we really share, or to what degree • Americans interpret the values as they pertain to their individual circumstances

  11. Most consistent evidence of a Political Culture • Americanism, American Way of Life, UnAmerican Activities • Rarely have this type of bonding in other nations • Can’t be un French, un Canadian, or un Norwegian • No Saudi Way of Life • No other nation seems to share this need for a national bond • We don’t share a common ethnicity, race, religion, or national origin, so created this as our bond

  12. American Economic System • Support free enterprise, see limits in market • Prefer equality of opportunity, not results • Shared commitment to economic individualism and self reliance • Willing to help only the truly needy; elderly and disabled • Individualistic view of social policy (we want to choose who we help) • The responsibility for financial success rests with the individual

  13. Distinctiveness of American Political Culture (Political Systems) • Comparison to Sweden (more deferential than participatory) • Vote, but do not otherwise participate • Defer to gov and experts, don’t argue or protest • Rarely challenge gov in court; almost no lawsuits • Believe in doing “what is best” for the whole, rather than gov providing what people want • Value equality more than liberty • Value harmony and social obligations more than anything else; need to get along and be agreeable

  14. Comparison with Japan (political) • Value good relations with co-workers, must get along with others • Emphasis on group decision-making • Value preserving social harmony • Display respect for hierarchy (boss, gov, ancestors) • Sensitive to needs of others(at cost to self) • Want to avoid conflict at all costs • Reach decisions through discussion and compromise rather than an application of the rules/laws

  15. Americans • Emphasis on: • Individualism • Competition • Equality (political) • Following the rules/laws • Treating others fairly • More assertive of rights (even if aren’t sure what they are) • Stronger sense of : • Civic Duty • Civic Competence • Obligation to be active in one’s community • Can rectify “bad laws”… Can fight city Hall! • Confidence in political institutions (trust) • National Pride

  16. Over-generalizing and Stereotyping • Misleading to think that we can understand a nation’s political system as only the result of their laws, economy, and physical circumstances • Very difficult to generalize about political cultures in nations which have a variety of racial, ethnic, & religious groups

  17. Economic Systems • Sweden compared to America: • They believe more in equal pay and limit top incomes • They believe their should be a lower ratio of income between workers and executives • Americans are less likely to believe that government should be involved in income equity No Need to compare US and Japan in terms of Economics; we are virtually identical!

  18. Cultural Differences = Political Differences

  19. The Sources of Political Culture in America • Historical Roots: • American Revolution: equality! • Constitution: our effort to balance personal liberty with social control • Americans obsessed with assertion and maintenance of our rights • Americans acted out of suspicion of government and devotion to individualism

  20. Revolution of 1800 • First test of our democracy/political culture: Federalists (Adams) V. Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson) • Jefferson accused Federalists of subverting Constitution (Alien and Sedition Act) • Hamilton/Adams thought D-R would turn country over to France • Civil War did not occur; peaceful transfer of power • Role of opposition parties legitimized; peaceful, orderly transfer of power possible

  21. Legal-sociological Factors • Constitutional permitted wide-spread participation (voting) • No national religion • prohibited by Constitution • Wide-spread, diverse immigration ensured there would be none

  22. Religion • Religious diversity was inevitable & led to conflict • With no common religion, common political culture is difficult to create

  23. Conflict between Puritan Tradition and Catholic Church • Differences: • Religious practices • Regulation of manners and morals • Choice of political party • Reflected in struggle over Prohibition

  24. American political culture is dominated by Puritanism (Protestantism) • Five “ethics” • Hard work • Save money • Obey the law (human and God) • Do good work (charity) • Embrace “Puritan Ethic” Work=Happiness=Heaven

  25. Churches offered opportunity to develop/practice political skills • Protestants are organized along congressional lines • Churches were controlled by the members (popular sovereignty) • Churches are like mini political systems • A participant political culture was made easier by the existence of a participant religious culture

  26. Family • Political culture is transmitted primarily by the family • Despite erosion of family unit (divorce, single parents, etc…), family still has largest role • Other sources are significant; just not as important as family • Family determines identification w/ political party almost exclusively

  27. Family • American children experience greater freedom and equality which shapes political culture • Have a say in leisure activities • Have own phone, tv, computer, car, etc… • Have ability to decide what to purchase w/ own $ • Have influence on family vacations, meals, etc…

  28. Absence of Class Consciousness • Results from: • Religious and ethnic diversity (no “ruling class”) • An individualistic philosophy (it’s all about me!) • Fragmented political authority (federalism) • Most people think of themselves as workers rather than management • Most Americans think they are middle class • Even those who are unemployed do not think or act in terms of their current economic situation • Americans still believe they can succeed if they work hard • US is only large, industrialized nation w/ no significant socialist party or movement

  29. Mistrust of Government • Evidence of the increase: • 1979 Speech by Pres. Jimmy Carter • Speech about the recession/inflation • Blamed Americans’ attitude for the economic downturn • “American Malaise” • Growing disrespect for government

  30. 1958-1980’s increasing mistrust • Perceived that the number of “crooks in gov. increased (Nixon, Agnew, Rostenkowski, Kennedy(Teddy), Traficanti, etc…) • Government appears to be run for the benefit of a few big interests (NRA, oil, AMA, etc…) • Lots of tax $ seem to be wasted

  31. Cases for Mistrust • Watergate • Vietnam • Civil Rights Movement (violence by gov) • Dramatic increase in crime rate (drugs) • Assassination Rate (JFK, RFK, MLK, etc…) • Massive number of riots and campus demonstrations • 2nd highest rate of inflation in US History! (up to 25% in some States; about 17% nation-wide)

  32. Necessary to view mistrust in context • We mistrust the leaders and politics, but NOT our system of government • Current level of mistrust is the norm; 1950’s had unusual confidence • Mistrust was shared w. other institutions • Mistrust static since 1980’s (slight increase in 2002-03) • Level of mistrust in 1990’s? • Level of mistrust in 2000’s ?

  33. Summary • No loss of confidence in Americans themselves or our system of government • We are still #1; but gov……… • America still best place to live (according to Americans) • People less ready to support leaders and their policies • More ready to believe in scandalous rumors • More cynical • Less likely to join political parties • More likely to join interest group

  34. Political Efficacy • A citizens’ capacity to understand and influence political events • Two types: • Internal: confidence in one’s own ability to understand and take part in political affairs • External: a belief that the system will respond to what citizens do (protest=gov action) • Levels of internal efficacy constant since 1950’s

  35. Political Efficacy • Level of external efficacy has dropped a great deal since the 1950’s • Why? • Conclusion: • American political efficacy still higher than Europe (and most of the rest of the world, too!) • Americans are probably not more alienated, just more realistic than in the past

  36. Political Tolerance • Crucial component in democracy • Democracy in US would fail if: • Unpopular speakers were shouted down and prevented from speaking • People supported gov censorship of newspapers or other media (internet!) • Peaceful demonstrations were routinely broken up by mobs or gov’t • Losing candidates did not allow winners to take office (hello—Al Gore!)

  37. Tolerance • People do not need to be perfectly tolerant • Everyone has some prejudice • No way to remove all stereotyping

  38. Levels of American Tolerance • Most Americans are tolerant in the abstract--- we believe in equality, don’t always act on beliefs • Most Americans would dent rights to some one else in a concrete case • Community leaders, judges, lawyers are more tolerant

  39. Average American’s Tolerance • Willing to allow people they don’t agree with to speak, write, protest, run for office, etc… • Has become more tolerant since the 1980’s • Is willing to with hold political liberty or equality from some group or individual

  40. Why do unpopular groups survive? • Most people don’t act on their beliefs • There is usually no consensus on who to persecute • Courts are sufficiently insulated from public opinion. They protect even the most extreme groups rights.

  41. Conclusion • We cannot take political liberty for granted; it can be taken away • No group should pretend to be perfectly tolerant

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