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Understanding Political Culture: Democracy, Anti-Statism, and Equality in Society

This article explores the foundations of political culture, focusing on shared ideas and values regarding governance. Key themes include belief in democracy, emphasizing popular sovereignty and majority rule, alongside the importance of the rule of law. It discusses the principle of anti-statism, advocating for limited government intervention, rooted in American individualism. Furthermore, it examines beliefs in capitalism, civil liberties, and equality, highlighting political and social equality's relevance in fostering opportunities for all citizens. This comprehensive overview connects historical perspectives to contemporary attitudes on governance.

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Understanding Political Culture: Democracy, Anti-Statism, and Equality in Society

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  1. Lost in the Universe

  2. PoliticalCulture:TheIdeasThatUniteUs!

  3. Political culture a set of ideas, values and ways of thinking about government and politics that are widely shared in a society.

  4. Belief in Democracy • Elements of democracy • Popular sovereignty: Ultimate political power (sovereignty) rests in the people • Majority rule: Decisions ought to be made by the majority of society and / or its elected representatives

  5. Elements of democracy • The Rule of Law: • The public is NOT ruled according to the arbitrary whims of its leaders • Instead, governed by laws created within the framework of a democratic process and within limits established by a Constitution

  6. Elements of democracy • The Rule of Law: • The laws apply to everyone, including government officials • The laws are applied fairly and objectively to all regardless of race, gender, religion, etc.

  7. “Rule of Law” Score (Source: The World Bank)

  8. Anti-Statism • “State” = government • “Anti-” = against • Anti-statism: Preference for strict limits on government intervention into personal, social and economic affairs • History • Long tradition of anti-statism ever since the American Revolution • Bolstered by American tradition of individualism

  9. Views of the Role of the Government (Source: Pew Center)

  10. Attitudes Toward Government Responsibility (Source: World Values Survey)

  11. Attitudes Toward Aid to the Unemployed (Source: World Values Survey)

  12. Attitudes Toward Government Taking the Rich to Redistribute Wealth to the Poor (Source: World Values Survey)

  13. Tax as a Percentage of GDP [Source: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)]

  14. Average Total Government Spending as a Share of GDP, 2004 – 2007 (Source: Center for American Progress)

  15. Belief in Capitalism • Elements of capitalism • Respect for private property • Limited government intervention in economic activity (e.g. the buying and selling of goods) • Individual freedom to enter into private contracts with little government intervention

  16. Response to: “Capitalism is the best system on which to base the future of the world” (Source: Globescan and the Economist)

  17. Attitudes Toward Private vs. Government Ownership of Business (Source: World Values Survey)

  18. Belief in Civil Liberties • Including: • Freedom of Speech • Freedom of Religion • Separation of Church and State • Right to Privacy • Right to Due Process of Law

  19. Belief in Equality • Political equality: All persons treated equally by the government (see 14th, 15th, 19thamendment) • Social equality: All persons – regardless of gender, race, disability, etc. treated equally in society

  20. Response to: “Men make better political leaders than women do” (Source: World Values Survey)

  21. Belief in Equality • Equality of Opportunity • Belief that all Americans should have the same opportunity to succeed in life – including economically. For example: • Universal access to education, housing, etc. • Best jobs for those who deserve them based on merit • Does NOT include belief that all Americans must be guaranteed success by the government

  22. Response to: “We should make every effort to improve the position of blacks and minorities, even if it means giving preferential treatment” (Source: Pew Research Center)

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