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Lost in the Universe. P o l i t i c a l C u l t u r e : T h e I d e a s T h a t U n i t e U s !. Political culture a set of ideas, values and ways of thinking about government and politics that are widely shared in a society. Belief in Democracy Elements of democracy
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Political culture a set of ideas, values and ways of thinking about government and politics that are widely shared in a society.
Belief in Democracy • Elements of democracy • Popular sovereignty: Ultimate political power (sovereignty) rests in the people • Majority rule: Decisions ought to be made by the majority of society and / or its elected representatives
Elements of democracy • The Rule of Law: • The public is NOT ruled according to the arbitrary whims of its leaders • Instead, governed by laws created within the framework of a democratic process and within limits established by a Constitution
Elements of democracy • The Rule of Law: • The laws apply to everyone, including government officials • The laws are applied fairly and objectively to all regardless of race, gender, religion, etc.
“Rule of Law” Score (Source: The World Bank)
Anti-Statism • “State” = government • “Anti-” = against • Anti-statism: Preference for strict limits on government intervention into personal, social and economic affairs • History • Long tradition of anti-statism ever since the American Revolution • Bolstered by American tradition of individualism
Attitudes Toward Government Responsibility (Source: World Values Survey)
Attitudes Toward Aid to the Unemployed (Source: World Values Survey)
Attitudes Toward Government Taking the Rich to Redistribute Wealth to the Poor (Source: World Values Survey)
Tax as a Percentage of GDP [Source: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)]
Average Total Government Spending as a Share of GDP, 2004 – 2007 (Source: Center for American Progress)
Belief in Capitalism • Elements of capitalism • Respect for private property • Limited government intervention in economic activity (e.g. the buying and selling of goods) • Individual freedom to enter into private contracts with little government intervention
Response to: “Capitalism is the best system on which to base the future of the world” (Source: Globescan and the Economist)
Attitudes Toward Private vs. Government Ownership of Business (Source: World Values Survey)
Belief in Civil Liberties • Including: • Freedom of Speech • Freedom of Religion • Separation of Church and State • Right to Privacy • Right to Due Process of Law
Belief in Equality • Political equality: All persons treated equally by the government (see 14th, 15th, 19thamendment) • Social equality: All persons – regardless of gender, race, disability, etc. treated equally in society
Response to: “Men make better political leaders than women do” (Source: World Values Survey)
Belief in Equality • Equality of Opportunity • Belief that all Americans should have the same opportunity to succeed in life – including economically. For example: • Universal access to education, housing, etc. • Best jobs for those who deserve them based on merit • Does NOT include belief that all Americans must be guaranteed success by the government
Response to: “We should make every effort to improve the position of blacks and minorities, even if it means giving preferential treatment” (Source: Pew Research Center)