Chapter 7 - Political Culture

1. Bradley C S Watson, “Darwin’s Constitution” Chapter 7 - Political Culture

2. Be warned, Mr. Watson would fail miserably if given a quiz regarding political ideologies. Misapplication of the term. Claims it was the notion that social institutions must evolve to survive. In reality, social Darwinism was a justification of racism, poverty, and the eradication of lesser populations. In order to provide for a stronger human species, lesser beings must be allowed to die off. Hitler was social Darwinism taken to the extreme. Used to justify laissez-faire policies. Social Darwinism – a clarification

3. Canonical text or adaptive document? Do social institutions need to evolve to survive? Pragmatism – strong emphasis on results over reasoning? Conservative view: “The accumulated wisdom and experience of countless generations gone is more likely to be right than the passing fashion of the moment.” (Hearnshaw, 1933 in Danziger) Liberal view: Classical liberal and modern liberal, if it isn’t working, it needs to be fixed. Rostow’s argument not to cling to traditions to realize economic growth and prosperity. The constitution

4. Commencing with the New Deal, this “political government” has consistently substituted purported expertise for the invisible hand of the market. According to this concept, deregulation should lead to zero profits, not record profits. Change in thinking

5. Reinstitute sodomy laws? Abortion and birth control illegal? Resegregation? Eliminate Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid? Withdraw all child labor laws? Moving backward, where do we stop? • State force to repress unions? • Women unable to vote? • Return to slavery?

6. Thomas Jefferson advocated for changing the Constitution every 20 years. Until recently, the genius of the Constitution was seen as the founders recognition that they were only human and that they allowed for the amendment process to fix what wasn’t working. Amendments How has our political culture changed that moves the Constitution from a flawed but improving piece of legislation to canonical document?

7. Pg 120 “Americans always liked minimal government”. Compare to Anthony Downs and 1957 consensus government that had a good deal more government intervention in the economy than today. American political culture Political culture is similar to public opinion. A syndrome of beliefs. World Values Survey can be found on line. Good data for evaluating political culture.

8. Studies in 1959 and 1960. American and British citizens most satisfied with their governments. • Civic cultures • Participant – proud, politically active, competent, and efficacious • Subject – more passive, no emotional commitment to the system, not proud • Parochial – don’t care about national government, more local in their thinking • Old data Almond and Verba

9. Pg 124 and 125 the culture wars. “dialogue between the Two Americas fails, as their views are visceral, not rational.” Conservatives have 1957 view of social issues, but 19th century (also current) views on economic issues. Liberals have 1957 view of economic issues, but modern views on social issues. Culture wars

10. Rousseau – “However, when the social tie begins to slacken and the state to weaken, when particular interests begin to make themselves felt and sectional societies begin to exert an influence over the greater society, the common interest then becomes corrupted and meets opposition, voting is no longer unanimous; the general will is no longer the will of all; contradictions and disputes arises, and even the best opinion is not allowed to prevail unchallenged.“ Rousseau

11. The United States has long been known as a religious nation? Responses to this chart were unthinkable 30 years ago, with US between Cyprus and Turkey at the bottom. America the religious

13. Textbook sees distrust in government as politicians making promises they cannot keep. Alternative explanation is that government is taking away economic and civil rights previously enjoyed. IE we saw the wages of the average worker remain stagnant over time while the tax rates were increasing at the bottom and decreasing at the top. Social programs

14. The ban of the burqa in France. Were they trying to prevent the development of a subculture? Quebec as example of bilingualism and multiculturalism can lead to national fragmentation. Political socialization of France through centralized school system to promote liberty, equality, brotherhood. What is our political culture? A melting pot of social harmony, or greater tolerance of cultural diversity? subcultures

15. Protestant, Catholic, Confucian? Weber saw difference between Protestant and Catholic country levels of development. Felt it was something inherent in Protestantism. Martin Luther advocated for reading the Bible and thinking for yourself. Confucianism is not a religion, it is a philosophy. All consistent with Rostow’s ideas regarding tradition. Culture and development

16. Socialize - to fit or train for a social environment Indoctrinate - to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle The authoritarian personality. Validity of a test to determine pre-fascist tendencies? Political socialization

17. Family as strongest source. What does it say for Hitler’s propaganda that it had children informing on their parents? School – The more education the better, but what if you are taught an ideology that is out of step with reality? Political socialization

18. Peer groups – “with both parents working, children may be socialized more by peers than by families.” This may be the root of the problem with our education system in this country. Political socialization

19. Mass media – polarized and self-selection Government – Not just those in power, both political parties are working to influence us. Political socialization