AP US GOVERNMENT & POLITICSTARGETS 5 .1 -

American Political Culture – Unit 5

5.1 Political Culture

What is Political Culture and what makes American political culture unique?

1a. American success cannot be explained by our constitutional system and physical resources alone Many countries have tried to copy our constitutional

system with minimal success. (democracy, bicameralism, separation of powers, federalism etc. )

Russia has vast natural resources, not as much success How can we explain American success? = American Political Culture

1b. What is political culture? Political ideology? Political culture: A common set of values regarding

general political & economic principles Examples: Basic human freedoms, commitment to

democracy and the free market system Political ideology: Political beliefs regarding specific

issues (i.e. abortion, gay marriage, gun control, etc.)

5.1c Unique American Political Culture

1c. What Makes America Political Culture Unique? Alexis de Tocqueville (Democracy in America -

1835) recognized Americans have certain characteristics of the heart and mind

De Tocqueville: Americans have … … an intense commitment to individual freedom,

limited government, & free markets … vast lands and few governmental restrictions

… However … 1c. Americans don’t always practice what they

preach … = American Dilemma:

We preach liberty and freedom, but have had… slavery, segregation, no women’s suffrage, discrimination, etc.

5.1c Unique American Political Culture

Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.

Alexis de Tocqueville

I often wonder whether we do not rest our hopes too much upon constitutions, upon laws and courts. These are false hopes; believe me these are false hopes. Liberty lies in the hearts of men; when it dies there; no constitution, no law, no court can save it...

Justice Learned Hand

5.1c Unique American Political Culture

The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do for themselves in their separate and individual capacities. But in all that people can individually do for themselves, government ought not to interfere.

Abraham Lincoln, 1854

“Now that I am drawing to the close of this work, in which I have spoken of so many important things done by the Americans, to what the singular prosperity and growing strength of that people ought mainly to be attributed, I should reply: To the superiority of their women.”

• ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE

Political Equality …………………. Economic Equality

Equality of Opportunity ……..... Equality of Results

Economic Individualism ……….. Complete Hands off Free Markets/Laissez Faire No regulation Social Darwinism Neglect of truly needy

5.2 Enduring Core American Values

Believe In… But Not In…

5.2 Enduring Core American Values

Peaceful transition of political power

Gore Concession speech

Romney concession

5.2 Enduring Core American Values

Religious tradition De Tocqueville amazed

at how religious Americans were

No privilege based on birth

No class consciousness (in contrast to Europe )

2b-c. America vs. … Scandinavia = equality more than

liberty

Europe = Safety net v. individualism … religion v secularism

America = Overall political participation is higher & a stronger sense of political efficacy

American Exceptionalism

The American Trinity (Prager)

5.3 Culture Wars

3a If such an enduring culture, then why do Americans have so much conflict over issues ? Difference between culture and ideology!!

Culture = general beliefs (abstract principles) Ideology = specific policies ( details of policy)

… In other words … Agree on abstract principles, but disagree on how to

achieve these… Examples: Civil War, Abortion, War on terrorism

• Both sides = fighting for something bigger than themselves | Rights, but whose? | Broad agreement - disagree over tactics

Also: disagreement is often between vocal minorities on each side ( thus conflict is thus somewhat exaggerated )

5.3 Culture Wars

3b Intense conflict over ideology has produced the culture wars … Intense conflict over deeply held beliefs (esp. moral issues,

right and wrong). Usually divided along ideological lines (i.e. conservatives v. liberals) Moral relativism: truth and morals are relative depending on

historical time and culture. Therefore, few truths are absolute.

As a political conflict, the culture war is unique. Usually does not involve money, very intense, and often tied to religious beliefs. Thus, very little compromise.

5.3 Culture Wars

Orthodox vs

Progressive

Orthodox Christian …………..…… Progressive Christian

Fundamentalist

Orthodox Jews ………………………. Progressive Jew

Orthodox Muslim ………………….. Progressive Muslim

RELIGION AND THE CULTURE WAR

5.3 In Depth

5.4 Sources of Political Culture

4a How is political culture transmitted ? political socialization = Process by which political

beliefs are passed down from generation to generation

One of the most important is Family

5.4 Sources of Political Culture

4b Americans have of tradition of distrust of government Sharp decline =

Vietnam & Watergate era

Candidates always run against the “establishment” in D.C.

Distrust at an all time high

Libertarians /Republicans “You pulled a Gruber”

Trust in Government 1958-2013 (Pew)

JUMP TO PUBLIC OPINION

Fini