Unit II American Political Culture

Unit IIAmerican Political Culture

The meaning and unique qualities of American Political CultureWhat 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)

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

Other things we must consider:Customs of our people or traditionsExamples? How are we unique?Moral and intellectual characteristics de TocquevilleAmericans are more industriousAmericans are more individualisticAmericans believe they can change their station in lifePolitical Culture

Definition of Political CultureThe 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 equalityNOT the same as political ideology!

What is political ideology?The philosophical differences between people about what the role of government ought to be regarding policy Examples:LiberalConservativePopulistLibertarianEtc

Four Elements that make up American Political CultureLiberty: we should all be able to do what we want as long as no one gets hurtEquality: equal political opportunityWe DO NOT want economic equality!Democracy: officials are accountable to the people whom they serveCivic Duty: people have an obligation to participate in the political process be cause they have a right to do so!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 makeObservations of foreignersOpinion Polls

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, dont always act on itReligious discrimination?Cliques?Beliefs important as a change agentOur ideals have resulted in changed behaviorVoting RightsEqual Pay

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 degreeAmericans interpret the values as they pertain to their individual circumstances

Most consistent evidence of a Political CultureAmericanism, American Way of Life, UnAmerican ActivitiesRarely have this type of bonding in other nationsCant be un French, un Canadian, or un NorwegianNo Saudi Way of LifeNo other nation seems to share this need for a national bond We dont share a common ethnicity, race, religion, or national origin, so created this as our bond

American Economic SystemSupport free enterprise, see limits in marketPrefer equality of opportunity, not resultsShared commitment to economic individualism and self relianceWilling to help only the truly needy; elderly and disabledIndividualistic view of social policy (we want to choose who we help)The responsibility for financial success rests with the individual

Distinctiveness of American Political Culture (Political Systems)Comparison to Sweden (more deferential than participatory)Vote, but do not otherwise participateDefer to gov and experts, dont argue or protestRarely challenge gov in court; almost no lawsuitsBelieve in doing what is best for the whole, rather than gov providing what people wantValue equality more than libertyValue harmony and social obligations more than anything else; need to get along and be agreeable

Comparison with Japan (political)Value good relations with co-workers, must get along with others Emphasis on group decision-makingValue preserving social harmonyDisplay 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

AmericansEmphasis on:IndividualismCompetitionEquality (political)Following the rules/lawsTreating others fairlyMore assertive of rights (even if arent sure what they are)Stronger sense of :Civic DutyCivic CompetenceObligation to be active in ones communityCan rectify bad laws Can fight city Hall!Confidence in political institutions (trust)National Pride

Over-generalizing and StereotypingMisleading to think that we can understand a nations political system as only the result of their laws, economy, and physical circumstancesVery difficult to generalize about political cultures in nations which have a variety of racial, ethnic, & religious groups

Economic SystemsSweden compared to America:They believe more in equal pay and limit top incomesThey believe their should be a lower ratio of income between workers and executivesAmericans are less likely to believe that government should be involved in income equityNo Need to compare US and Japan in terms of Economics; we are virtually identical!Cultural Differences = Political Differences

The Sources of Political Culture in AmericaHistorical Roots:American Revolution: equality!Constitution: our effort to balance personal liberty with social controlAmericans obsessed with assertion and maintenance of our rightsAmericans acted out of suspicion of government and devotion to individualism

Revolution of 1800First 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 FranceCivil War did not occur; peaceful transfer of powerRole of opposition parties legitimized; peaceful, orderly transfer of power possibleLegal-sociological FactorsConstitutional permitted wide-spread participation (voting)No national religion prohibited by Constitution Wide-spread, diverse immigration ensured there would be none

ReligionReligious diversity was inevitable & led to conflictWith no common religion, common political culture is difficult to create

Conflict between Puritan Tradition and Catholic ChurchDifferences:Religious practicesRegulation of manners and moralsChoice of political partyReflected in struggle over Prohibition

American political culture is dominated by Puritanism (Protestantism)Five ethicsHard workSave moneyObey the law (human and God)Do good work (charity)Embrace Puritan Ethic Work=Happiness=Heaven

Churches offered opportunity to develop/practice political skillsProtestants are organized along congressional lines Churches were controlled by the members (popular sovereignty)Churches are like mini political systemsA participant political culture was made easier by the existence of a participant religious cultureFamilyPolitical culture is transmitted primarily by the familyDespite erosion of family unit (divorce, single parents, etc), family still has largest roleOther sources are significant; just not as important as familyFamily determines identification w/ political party almost exclusively

FamilyAmerican children experience greater freedom and equality which shapes political cultureHave a say in leisure activitiesHave own phone, tv, computer, car, etcHave ability to decide what to purchase w/ own $Have influence on family vacations, meals, etc

Absence of Class ConsciousnessResults from:Religious and ethnic diversity (no ruling class)An individualistic philosophy (its all about me!)Fragmented political authority (federalism)Most people think of themselves as workers rather than managementMost Americans think they are middle classEven those who are unemployed do not think or act in terms of their current economic situationAmericans still believe they can succeed if they work hardUS is only large, industrialized nation w/ no significant socialist party or movement

Mistrust of GovernmentEvidence of the increase:1979 Speech by Pres. Jimmy CarterSpeech about the recession/inflationBlamed Americans attitude for the economic downturnAmerican MalaiseGrowing disrespect for government

1958-1980s increasing mistrustPerceived 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

Cases for MistrustWatergateVietnamCivil Rights Movement (violence by gov)Dramatic increase in crime rate (drugs)Assassination Rate (JFK, RFK, MLK, etc)Massive number of riots and campus demonstrations2nd highest rate of inflation in US History! (up to 25% in some States; about 17% nation-wide)

Necessary to view mistrust in contextWe mistrust the leaders and politics, but NOT our system of governmentCurrent level of mistrust is the norm; 1950s had unusual confidenceMistrust was shared w. other institutionsMistrust static since 1980s (slight increase in 2002-03)Level of mistrust in 1990s?Level of mistrust in 2000s ?

SummaryNo loss of confidence in Americans themselves or our system of governmentWe are still #1; but govAmerica still best place to live (according to Americans)People less ready to support leaders and their policiesMore ready to believe in scandalous rumorsMore cynicalLess likely to join political partiesMore likely to join interest groupPolitical EfficacyA citizens capacity to understand and influence political eventsTwo types:Internal: confidence in ones own ability to understand and take part in political affairsExternal: a belief that the system will respond to what citizens do (protest=gov action)Levels of internal efficacy constant since 1950sPolitical EfficacyLevel of external efficacy has dropped a great deal since the 1950sWhy?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 pastPolitical ToleranceCrucial component in democracyDemocracy in US would fail if:Unpopular speakers were shouted down and prevented from speakingPeople supported gov censorship of newspapers or other media (internet!)Peaceful demonstrations were routinely broken up by mobs or govtLosing candidates did not allow winners to take office (helloAl Gore!)TolerancePeople do not need to be perfectly tolerantEveryone has some prejudice No way to remove all stereotyping

Levels of American ToleranceMost Americans are tolerant in the abstract--- we believe in equality, dont always act on beliefsMost Americans would dent rights to some one else in a concrete caseCommunity leaders, judges, lawyers are more tolerantAverage Americans ToleranceWilling to allow people they dont agree with to speak, write, protest, run for office, etcHas become more tolerant since the 1980sIs willing to with hold political liberty or equality from some group or individualWhy do unpopular groups survive?Most people dont act on their beliefsThere is usually no consensus on who to persecute Courts are sufficiently insulated from public opinion. They protect even the most extreme groups rights.ConclusionWe cannot take political liberty for granted; it can be taken awayNo group should pretend to be perfectly tolerant