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American Political Culture: What is the role of government?

American Political Culture: What is the role of government?. Americans can agree that government is necessary: So what is the real question? How much government is necessary? Republicans Limited government Government needs to stick to what Constitution says Democrats Expanded government

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American Political Culture: What is the role of government?

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  1. American Political Culture:What is the role of government? • Americans can agree that government is necessary: • So what is the real question? • How much government is necessary? • Republicans • Limited government • Government needs to stick to what Constitution says • Democrats • Expanded government • Government needs to do what is necessary to help

  2. Republican Party BeliefRole of Government • Society • Government should not intervene much, if at all • Belief in rugged individualism • Do for yourself! • Economic • Government should not intervene with economy • Called laissez-faire capitalism • Capitalist economy where government does not interact if things go wrong.

  3. Democratic Party BeliefRole of Government • Society • Government has obligation to protect social equality • Why? • Society won’t do it themselves • Economics • Government must intervene if economy goes bad • Why? • So citizens in society do not suffer long term

  4. So what do Republicans and Democrats agree on? • Not much… • However, in terms of role of government: • Both parties agree that there are 3 essentials that government must promote: • Liberty • Allow all citizens to have high level of freedom • Equality (AKA equality of opportunity) • All people should have the freedom to use their talents to make a good life • And be treated equally in society • Democracy • Power of government rests in hands of the people • Called popular sovereignty

  5. Does America promote these principles? • Liberty? • Is everyone free to live life they want? • The poor? • The handicap? • The uneducated? • Equality? • Has there always been political equality in America? • Do all citizens have equal opportunity to participate in politics? • Is there political equality today? • Citizens under 18? • Homeless? • Military? • Elderly? • Democracy? • If only around ½ of the citizens vote, is that a functioning democracy?

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