Chapter 4 Political Culture

1. Chapter 4Political Culture Mr. Ishmael-AP Government

2. By the end of this lesson, I will be able to… • Identify what political culture is. • Identify what political ideology is. • Understand the important elements associated with the political system.

3. Intro • Survival of U.S. Constitution rare • Copied in other countries, have had lapses in success • Tocqueville-Country flourished b/c “soil were fertile in which roots could grow” • Constitution, plus opportunities for people to control own life, made Democracy possible • Also, “moral and intellectual characteristics” of people and political culture play role as well.

4. Political Culture v. Political Ideology Political culture: Patterned set of ways of thinking about how political and economic activities ought to be carried out Ex: We believe those who win elections should take office Don’t condone political violence “Ballots, not bullets” Nobody should have claim to political authority simply due to wealth or family history

5. Political Culture v. Political Ideology • Political Ideology: • Refers to more or less consistent views concerning policies government ought to pursue • Liberal v. Conservative • For the most part, people disagree on ideology • Could still share similar feelings on political culture… • Unless so critical of existing govt. policies and practices that they require a fundamental change in way govt. functions

6. Political System • Five important elements in American view of political system: • Liberty • Equality • Democracy • Civic Duty • Individual Responsibility

7. Liberty • Americans preoccupied with rights • Should be free to do as please • As long as we don’t hurt others

8. Equality • Everyone should have an equal vote, equal chance to participate

9. Democracy • Govt. should be accountable to the people

10. Civic Duty • People ought to take govt. affairs seriously • Help out when they can

11. Individual Responsibility • Individuals responsible for their own actions and well-being

12. A patterned set of ways of thinking about how political and economic activities ought to be carried out • Political ideas • Political culture • Political ideology • Political participation • Political power

13. Refers to more or less consistent views concerning policies government ought to pursue • Political thought • Political culture • Political ideology • Political participation • Political power

14. Civic duty is an important element of the American political system • True • False

15. Government officials being accountable to the people is known as • Individual responsibility • Liberty • Civic duty • Democracy • Equality

16. Equality of results is an important part of American politics • True • False

17. Americans are willing to tolerate political equality over economic equality • True • False

18. Government part of problem, not solution. • Liberals • Right wing • Neoconservatism • Conservatism • Neoliberalism

19. We must end welfare • Liberals • Conservatives • Neoconservatism • Neoliberals • Left wing

20. We must end welfare as we know it. • Liberals • Right wing • Left wing • Religious conservatism • Conservatives

21. The college core curriculum should teach our shared Western culture heritage. • Neoconservatives • Liberals • Conservatives • Religious conservativism • Left wing

22. If elected, I will get government off your backs and release the great energy of the American people. • Liberals • Neoliberals • Right wing • Left wing • Religious conservatism

23. So long as I am president, no American shall go to bed hungry, no American shall suffer the burden of discrimination, and no American shall fall ill without the benefit of medical help. • Conservative • Neoliberal • Liberal • Left wing • Right wing

24. Abortion is the modern equivalent of the Nazi holocaust. • Conservatism • Neoconservatism • Religious conservativism • Left wing • Right wing

25. Worker of the world, unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains. • Left wing • Right wing • Liberals • Neoliberals • Conservatives

26. At the end of this lesson I will be able to… • Explain how Americans feel about equality • Compare how American political culture compares to the rest of the world

27. Equality of Opportunity vs. Equality of Results • Liberty is important • Believe in a free-enterprise system • More willing to tolerate economic inequality than political inequality • Maintain “equality in opportunity” • Not “equality in results” • If everyone has same opportunities, okay if those with more skill get ahead • Help get educated, won’t give preferential treatment • Liberal groups more willing to give preferential treatment

28. America and Other Nations • Political System • Sweden • More deferential than participatory • Most adults vote, don’t participate any other way • Defer to decisions made by leaders, rarely challenge • Japan • Attach greater value to good relationships, having decisions made by groups, preserve social harmony, respect hierarchy • Stress: • Sensitivity to others • Avoid conflict • Reach decisions through discussion rather than rules

29. America and Other Nations (cont.) • Study of pol. culture in 5 nations (1960) • Americans and GB have greater sense of civic duty • One is obligated to participate in civic affairs • Stronger sense of civic competence • Belief one can affect govt. policies • Both more so than Germany, Italy, and Mexico • 1995-America lagging Austria, Netherlands, West Germany, and UK in turnout • Highly more active in other participation activities

30. America and Other Nations (cont.) • Less trust in govt. here, still have higher confidence in political institutions • See that we need a change in policies, not the system • Typically bound by Americanism • Not common to have this bond around the world • Gives us a greater sense of nationalism compared to other nations around the world

31. People in Sweden generally are highly participatory and assertive in their right to be heard in politics. • True • False

32. Swedes would probably be more tolerant than Americans of a governmental attempt to place a top limit on salaries. • True • False

33. Swedes are less likely then Americans to challenge governmental decisions. • True • False

34. Swedes are less likely to value equality over liberty. • True • False

35. Japanese are more likely than Americans to value good relations with colleagues. • True • False

36. Japanese are more likely than Americans to emphasize individualism and competition in their political system. • True • False

37. In a comparative study, Almond and Verba found that Americans had a stronger sense of civic duty than the citizens in other countries surveyed. • True • False

38. Today, confidence remains high in public institutions • True • False

39. Compared with other nations, the United States is a relatively non-nationalistic country. • True • False

40. Today I will be able to… • Explain the culture war in America

41. Culture War • The Culture War • War over values • Usually explosive issues such as: • Abortion • Gay rights • Drug use • School prayer • Pornography • Differs from other political disputes • No money at stake • Compromises almost impossible • Conflict more profound • Animated by deep differences in private and public morality

42. Culture War (cont.) • Two opposed camps: • Orthodox • Morality as important as self-expression • Based on unchanging rules of God • The “Religious Right” • Progressive • Personal freedom as important as tradition • “Liberal,” “Immoral” • Also see battles within groups • Do see progressive views in orthodox groups, and vice versa • Increase in conflict due to: • Increase in “progressives” • Rise of media (easier on larger scale)

43. The culture war is a war that is close to coming to an end in this country. • True • False

44. This side of the culture war believes in morality before personal freedom. • Progressive • Liberal • Conservative • Orthodox

45. This side believes in personal freedom at the cost of morality. • Liberal • Conservative • Orthodox • Progressive

46. School prayer should be advocated. • Orthodox • Progressive

47. Recreational drug use is no big deal. • Orthodox • Progressive

48. Abortion is equivalent to the Nazi holocaust. • Orthodox • Progressive

49. Pornography is disgusting and holds no place in society. • Orthodox • Progressive

50. I love Howard Stern and Opie and Anthony!!! • Orthodox • Progressive