AP US GOVERNMENT & POLITICSTARGETS 5 .1 -

American Political Culture – Unit 5

5.1 Political Culture

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

What is 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 on specific issues (i.e. abortion, gay marriage, gun control,

etc.)

5.1 Unique American Political Culture

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

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

Americans have … … an intense commitment to individual freedom,

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

American Dilemma: Americans don’t always practice what we

preach: We preach liberty and freedom, but… slavery,

segregation, denial of women’s suffrage, discrimination

5.1 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

But one also finds in the human heart a depraved taste for equality, which impels the weak to want to bring the strong down to their level, and which reduces men to preferring equality in servitude to inequality in freedom

Alexis de Tocqueville

5.1 Unique American Political Culture

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

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

Political Equality

Equality of Opportunity

Economic Individualism Free Markets Laissez faire

Economic equality

Equality of results

Complete hands off No regulation Neglecting the 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 Obama calls for bipar

tisanship

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 )

America vs. … Scandinavia = equality

more than liberty

Europe = Safety net

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

5.3 Culture Wars

If such an enduring culture, then why so much conflict over issues ? Difference between culture and ideology!!

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

Agree on abstract principles, but disagree on how to achieve these… Examples: Civil War, Abortion, War on terrorism

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

5.3 Culture Wars

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

issues, right and wrong). Usually divided along the lines of 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

In Depth

5.4 Sources of Political Culture

How is political culture transmitted ? One of the most important is Family = political socialization Another important source is religion

Americans have of tradition of distrust of government Sharp decline = Vietnam & Watergate Candidates always run against the “establishment” in

D.C. Distrust at an all time high On all sides

Libertarians …… Republicans

CHAPTER 4

Political Culture Charts