american political culture. what is it??!?? widely shared beliefs, values & norms concerning the...
Post on 17-Jan-2016
215 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
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
top related