American Political Culture

What is it??!??

Widely shared beliefs, values & norms concerning the relationship of citizens to gov’t & each other

Shared beliefs- grounded classical liberalism

Classical Liberalism

Freedom

Equality

Individual

Private Property

Limited Gov’t

Popular Consent

What’s the most revered value?

Liberty

Where do we see evidence of this? DoIPreamble

Equality

Have Americans always valued SOCIAL equality? No! But more so now...

What about POLITICAL equality? Value that everyone has the right to equal protection under

the law & equal voting power

Equal Opportunity in regard to economic status

Individualism

Rights AND Responsibilities

Faith in Common Sense

Anti-Expert

Anti-Intellectual

Action vs. Reflection

How are we governed?

Democratic Consensus is ESSENTIAL to democracy

What do we have a consensus on... Majority Rule

Two-Party System

Regular Election

Popular Sovereignty

Rule of Law Gov’t based on body of laws – applied = & by just

procedures

Fair vs. Equal

“Rules” of Rule of Law General Laws

Apply to FUTURE (NOT ex-post facto)

Public

Created by legitimate power- popular consent

DUE PROCESS- impartial fair process

Nationalism, Optimism & Idealism

Americans LOVE them some THEM

Manifest Destiny Imperialism

American Dream

Individual Initiative & Hard Work = Economic Success

Land of Opportunity

Essential Features Capitalism

Right to Own Property

Competitive Economy vs. Egalitarian Values

Our Political Culture does NOT match our Economic Values

Political values are affected by Historical Events

Economic & technological growth

Shift in Political Culture

Agrarian Industry

High Degree of Inequality in the distribution of wealth & political resourcesTycoons & Robber Barons

Anti-Trust Legislation Growth of monopolies

Sherman Ant-Trust Act 1890 Used against unions

Strikers restrained trade, so prevent unionized workers from striking

Society looks to Gov’t to protect prevent monopolies from dominating industry &

restraining trade

Gov’t Should promote “General Welfare” by regulating business

Great Depression & New Deal

Near Collapse of our capitalistic system

“State Laboratories” – intervention during Progressive Era

Mixed Free Enterprise

Most Americans support gov’t that provides stability & protection, but not direct control

FDR- Second Bill of Rights Economic security

Independence

Conflicts increase role of gov’t

Civil Rights

Voting Rights

War of Poverty