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American Political Culture

Delve into American political culture with its shared classical liberal beliefs on freedom, equality, and limited government. Explore the values of liberty, individualism, and governance through the lens of historical events like the New Deal and Civil Rights movement.

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American Political Culture

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  1. American Political Culture

  2. What is it??!?? • Widely shared beliefs, values & norms concerning the relationship of citizens to gov’t & each other • Shared beliefs- grounded classical liberalism

  3. Classical Liberalism • Freedom • Equality • Individual • Private Property • Limited Gov’t • Popular Consent

  4. What’s the most revered value? • Liberty • Where do we see evidence of this? • DoI • Preamble

  5. 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

  6. Individualism • Rights AND Responsibilities • Faith in Common Sense • Anti-Expert • Anti-Intellectual • Action vs. Reflection

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Nationalism, Optimism & Idealism • Americans LOVE them some THEM  • Manifest Destiny • Imperialism

  10. American Dream • Individual Initiative & Hard Work = Economic Success • Land of Opportunity • Essential Features • Capitalism • Right to Own Property

  11. Competitive Economy vs. Egalitarian Values • Our Political Culture does NOT match our Economic Values • Political values are affected by • Historical Events • Economic & technological growth

  12. Shift in Political Culture • Agrarian  Industry • High Degree of Inequality in the distribution of wealth & political resources • Tycoons & Robber Barons

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. Mixed Free Enterprise • Most Americans support gov’t that provides stability & protection, but not direct control • FDR- Second Bill of Rights • Economic security • Independence

  16. Conflicts increase role of gov’t • Civil Rights • Voting Rights • War of Poverty

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