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American Political Culture

American Political Culture. What is it??!??. Widely shared beliefs, values & norms concerning the relationship of citizens to gov’t & each other Shared beliefs- grounded classical liberalism. Classical Liberalism. Freedom Equality Individual Private Property Limited Gov’t

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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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