CHAPTER 4

American Political Culture

0OBJECTIVES
Previous chapters focused on the legal and historical aspects of the United States government. This chapter concentrates instead on the somewhat less concrete notion of political culture, or the particular set of beliefs, attitudes, and opinions people (in this case, Americans have about how their government ought to operate. After reading and reviewing the material in this chapter, the student should be able to do each of the following!" #". $efine what scholars mean b% political culture, and list some of the dominant aspects of political culture in the United States. &". $iscuss how American citi'ens compare with those of other countries in their political and economic attitudes. (". )ist the contributions to U.S. political culture made b% the *evolution, b% the nation+s religious heritages, and b% the famil%. ,". -.plain how the culture war between orthodo. and progressive Americans shapes the debate over controversial polic% issues. /". 0dentif% reasons for Americans+ mistrust of government, and e.plain how it is affected b% both political events and political efficac%. 1". -.plain wh% political tolerance is a necessar% component of a democratic s%stem.

0OVERVIEW
The United States s%stem of government is supported b% a political culture that fosters a sense of civic dut%, ta2es pride in the nation+s constitutional arrangements, and provides support for the e.ercise of essential civil liberties (albeit sometimes out of indifference more than principle . 0n recent decades, people+s mistrust of government officials (though not of the s%stem itself has increased, and confidence in officials+ responsiveness to the popular will has declined. Although Americans value libert% in both the political s%stem and the econom%, the% believe e3ualit% is important principall% in the political realm. 0n economic affairs, although a few people wish to see e3ualit% of results, man% support e3ualit% of opportunit% and ine3ualit% of results. 4ot onl% is the American culture generall% supportive of democratic rule, it also has certain distinctive features that ma2e the American wa% of governing different from other democracies. Americans are preoccupied with their rights. This fact, combined with a political s%stem that encourages the vigorous e.ercise of rights and claims, gives political life in the United States an adversarial character. Unli2e the 5apanese or the Swedes, Americans do not generall% reach political decisions b% consensus, and the% often do not defer to the authorit% of administrative agencies. U.S. politics, more than that of man% other nations, has protracted conflict at ever% stage.

Chapter 4: American Political Culture

0CHAPTER OUTLINE WITH KE E!"IN RESOURCES0

0". Political culture (T6-7- A! 86AT 0S A7-*09A4 P:)0T09A) 9U)TU*-; " A". 9onstitutional differences among the United States, <reat =ritain, and >rance #". 8ritten constitution (United States, >rance ? unwritten constitution (<reat =ritain &". Separation of powers (United States ? unified powers (<reat =ritain, >rance (". Presidential s%stem (United States ? semipresidential s%stem (>rance ? parliamentar% s%stem (<reat =ritain =". $emographic differences among the United States, <reat =ritain, and >rance #". United States is larger and more diverse a" :ver ("" million citi'ens b" -nglish is dominant language, but millions spea2 Spanish c" :ver &/ percent are non@6ispanic whites d" :ver A" percent identif% as 9hristians, split between 9atholics and Protestants &". <reat =ritain and >rance have similar demographic characteristics a" About 1" million each b" <rowing foreign@born populations c" 6omogenous religious population 9". $ifferences among the political cultures of the United States, <reat =ritain, and >rance " #". $emocrac% favored in each countr% &". Americans more li2el% to favor political e3ualit% than economic e3ualit% (". Americans embrace political e3ualit% at earlier age. $". *easons for America+s democratic success #". Abundant territor% with greater opportunities for land ac3uisition &". 4o feudal aristocrac%, minimal ta.es, and abilit% to e.pand westward (". )and cultivated through small, independent farms ,". 7oral and intellectual characteristics or political culture favors democratic rule -". -lements of the American view of the political s%stem" #". )ibert% (rights &". -3ualit% (e3ual vote? e3ual chance to participate and succeed (". $emocrac% (government is accountable to the people ,". 9ivic dut% (ta2e communit% affairs seriousl% and become involved when possible /". 0ndividual responsibilit% (individuals responsible for their own actions and well@being >". Some 3uestions about U.S. political culture" #". 6ow do we 2now people share these beliefs; a" =efore polls, beliefs were inferred from boo2s, speeches, political choices, and so on. b" Personalit% tests and comparative polling confirm these shared beliefs that are not held in all nations. &". 6ow do we e.plain behavior inconsistent with these beliefs; a" People ta2e actions contrar% to their beliefs in ever%da% life? self@interest and social circumstance also shape behavior. b" =eliefs are still important and ma% cause changes in behavior. (". 8h% is there so much political conflict in U.S. histor%; a" =road values ma% not be applicable to specific controversies. b" =eliefs contradict one another and are not consistentl% interpreted. ,". 7ost consistent evidence of a common political culture is the use of the terms Americanism or American way of life and un-American <. The Persistence of 9onflict

Chapter 4: American Political Culture

#. $espite ending slaver%, endorsing civil rights, and e.panding free discussion, Americans still have areas of political conflict. a b Among the persistent areas of disagreement are abortion, moralit%, religion, immigration, and affirmative action. Some believe in absolute moral principles, whereas others believe in a relativistic value s%stem where moral choices should reflect situational conditions.

&. 9onflicts arise over the definition of good citi'enship. Two contrasting definitions of citi'enship are offered. a b Some argue that persons who pa% their ta.es, obe% the law, and support the militar% are good citi'ens. 0n contrast, good citi'ens are s2eptical of government, Boin protest movements, and bo%cott products the% don+t li2e.

(. These views tend to reflect age differences. :lder Americans who grew up during the <reat $epression or 8orld 8ar 00 are more li2el% to favor the first view of good citi'enship. Counger persons born between #D1, and #DA, and with college educations tend to favor the latter definition. ,. $istrust between these two generations persists. a b 7embers of the older generation feel that members of the %ounger group are alienated, distrustful, self@centered, and lac2ing in clear moral guidance. 7embers of the ne.t generation, the children of bab% boomers, argue that older people are rigid, conformists, overl% supportive of the status 3uo and too pro@militar%.

/. :verall, Americans still love their countr%. 8hen polled, D# percent of whites, A" percent of blac2s, and D# percent of 6ispanics said the% either love this countr% ver% much or e.tremel% so. 6". The -conomic S%stem" #. Americans support free enterprise, but see limits on mar2etplace freedom. &. Americans believe in e3ualit% of opportunit% in the econom% but not e3ualit% of result. (. Americans have a widel% shared commitment to economic individualism. 00". 9omparing America with other nations" A". Americans li2e their own countr% #. Sevent%@one percent of Americans are proud to be American, compared with onl% &# percent of <ermans who are proud to be <erman. &. A maBorit% of -uropeans believe that forces be%ond an individual+s control determine that individual+s success in life. Americans emphasi'e the importance of individual initiative in the achievement of personal success. (. Americans have a much deeper belief in the importance of <od for moralit%, compared with their -uropean counterparts. ,. Americans have ver% different views about important things compared with -uropeans.

Chapter 4: American Political Culture

=. Political s%stem" #". Sweden has a well@developed democrac%, but its political culture is more deferential than participator% a" Almost all adults vote in national elections, but few participate in an% other wa%. b" "$efer to government e.perts and specialists c" "*arel% challenge governmental decisions in court d" "=elieve in what is best more than what people want e" "Ealue e3ualit% as much as (or more than libert% f" "Ealue harmon% and observe obligations &". 5apan has a wholl% different histor% and set of traditions." a" Ealue good relations with colleagues, group decisions, and social harmon% b" -mphasi'e importance of being sensitive to personal needs of others, avoiding conflict, reaching decisions through discussion rather than application of rules c" Tremendous importance given to respecting hierarch% (". Americans" a" Tend to assert rights b" -mphasi'e individualism, competition, e3ualit%, following rules, treating others fairl% but impersonall% ,". 9ultural differences affect political and economic s%stems /. ". 9lassic stud% reported that in #D/DF1", U.S. and =ritish citi'ens had a stronger sense of civic dut% and competence than the citi'ens of <erman%, 0tal%, or 7e.ico a" 9ivic dut%! a belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs b" 9ivic competence! a belief that one can affect government policies 1". Subse3uent research comparing Americans and -uropeans" a" Americans lag in voting rates but not in other forms of participation b" Americans have more confidence in government institutions c" Americans ac2nowledge flaws but still report being ver% patriotic =". -conomic s%stem" #". "Swedes tend to favor e3ual pa% and top limit on incomes &". Americans favor economic freedom over e3ualit% (". Americans are less li2el% to thin2 that hard wor2 goes unrewarded ,". Americans are less li2el% to thin2 that government should guarantee citi'ens a basic standard of living 9". 0mpact of religion on political culture #". -ffect of religion on civic life a" Americans more li2el% than -uropeans to believe in <od, pra% dail%, and ac2nowledge a clear standard of right and wrong b" *eligious people donate more mone% and time to charitable organi'ations than nonreligious people do. &". "-ffect of religion on politics a" "*eligious beliefs important in American founding a" "=oth liberals and conservatives use pulpit to promote political change. b" "9andidates for national office in most other contemporar% democracies rarel% mention religion? U.S. candidates fre3uentl% invo2e religious themes.

Chapter 4: American Political Culture

000". The sources of political culture (T6-7- =! $0E0S0:4S 04 A7-*09A4 P:)0T09A) 9U)TU*- " A". 6istorical roots" #". American *evolution was essentiall% over libert%Gasserting rights &". Animating spirit of the 9onstitution was the effort to reconcile personal libert% with social control (". Adversarial spirit of political culture reflects long@standing distrust of authorit% that stems from the belief that human nature is fundamentall% depraved (original sin ,". 5effersonian transition in #A"" reconciled need for and suspicion of government" a" )egitimated the role of the opposition part% b" $emonstrated that libert% and political change can coe.ist =". )egal@sociological factors" #". 8idespread (not universal participation permitted b% 9onstitution &". Absence of an established national religion made religious diversit% inevitable" a" *eligious diversit% a source of cleavage b" Absence of established religion facilitated the absence of political orthodo.% c" Protestant heritage emphasi'es personal achievement!" (# " 8or2 hard (& " Save mone% (( " :be% secular law (, " $o good wor2s "7a. 8eber described this as the Protestant ethic (wor2 ethic d" 7iniature political s%stems were produced b% churches+ congregational organi'ations, so civic and political s2ills could develop (". >amil% instills the wa%s Americans thin2 about the world and politics." a" <reater freedom of children and e3ualit% among famil% members leads to . . . b" . . . =elief in rights and acceptance of diverse views in decision ma2ing ,". 6igh degree of class consciousness absent a" 9lass consciousness! thin2ing of oneself as a wor2er whose interests are in opposition to those of management, or vice versa b" "7ost people consider themselves middle class c" 7essage of 6oratio Alger stories is still popular! that success is available to people who wor2 hard" 9". The culture war" #". 9ultural clashes in America battle over values &". Two cultural camps defined b% 5ames $avison 6unter a" :rthodo. camp! (# " Usuall% consists of fundamentalist Protestants and evangelical 9hristians (& " =elieves that moral values are derived from the commands of <od or the laws of nature (( " Perceives moralit% as clear, unchanging, and independent of personal preferences b" Progressive camp! (# " Usuall% consists of liberal Protestants and people with no strong religious beliefs (& " =elieves that personal freedom is as important as, or more important than, traditional moral rules (( " Perceives moral rules as comple., changeable, and dependent on individual preferences

Chapter 4: American Political Culture

(". 9ulture war differs from political disputes in three wa%s!" a" 7one% is not at sta2e. b" 9ompromises are almost impossible. c" 9onflict is more profound. ,". Two views on importance of culture war to politics" a" 7orris >iorina! 9ulture war is a m%th? political leaders are polari'ed, but most Americans occup% a middle position on polic% issues. b" Alan Abramowit'! People more li2el% to choose part% affiliations based on polic% positions? growing percentage of Americans is politicall% engaged. 0E". 7istrust of government" A". :verall stead% decline in number of Americans who trust government since late #D/"s? increases seen onl% during *eagan presidenc% and period following &""# terrorist attac2s " =". 9auses" #". Eietnam (#D1"s &". 8atergate (#DH"s (". 9linton impeachment (#DD"s ,". 8ar in 0ra3 (&"""s 9". 4ecessar% to view this crisis in conte.t" #". )evel of trust in #D/"s ma% have been abnormall% high &". 7a% have been fewer catal%sts to e.press patriotism in #D1"s and #DH"s (". -vents of DI## provided reason for e.traordinar% outburst of patriotic fervor $. Americans have a reduced level of confidence in government. :nl% #& percent of Americans have a lot of confidence in 9ongress. #. Americans have a declining sense of confidence in churches, public schools, newspapers, unions and big business. &. The militar% is the onl% institution in which public confidence has increased. (". $eclining trust in political institutions and leaders ma% increase support for nonincumbent candidates E. 9ivil Societ% A. 9ivil Societ% is that collection of private, voluntar% groups that, being independent of the government and the commercial mar2ed, ma2e human cooperation easier and provide wa%s of holding the government accountable for its actions. #. Americans are more li2el% to Boin voluntar% groups than are people in other democracies. a These organi'ations teach people how to cooperate, develop communit% serving s2ills, and increase social capital. b. Social capital refers to connections people have with each other through friendship, personal contact, and group effort. =. 0mportance of Social 9apital #. *obert Putnam argues that the greater the amount of trust among groupIcommunit% members, the easier it is to achieve common goals such as improving a neighborhood or combating intolerance, which in turn produces useful proBects. &. Some worr% that social capital ma% be decreasing as people are less li2el% to Boin voluntar% associations. Americans once bowled in leagues? now the% bowl alone. Americans no longer participate in the PTA, the 4AA9P, or the E>8. 4ow the% sta% at home and watch television.

Chapter 4: American Political Culture

(. There are three 3ualifications to this argument. a. Americans Boin more groups than do people in other democracies. b. A general measure of civil health, combining group membership with informal human contact, has increased. c. 0n ethnicall% and raciall% diverse communities, Americans hun2er down. The% don+t trust their neighbors, contribute to charities, cooperate with others, or Boin voluntar% groups. E0. ". Political tolerance" A". 7inimal level of tolerance crucial to democratic politics" #". Allows free discussion of ideas &". Allows selection of rulers without oppression =". )evels of American political tolerance" #". 7ost Americans agree in the abstract with freedom of speech, maBorit% rule, and right to circulate petitions. &". 7ost Americans would den% these rights in concrete cases. (". Americans are generall% becoming more tolerant. ,". 7ost Americans believe that the nation is too tolerant of harmful behaviors? defense of common moral standards is more important than protection of individual rights. /". Still, most are willing to allow e.pression b% those with whom the% disagree. 9". 6ow do ver% unpopular groups survive;" #". 7ost people do not act on their beliefs &". :fficeholders and activists are more tolerant than general public. (". Usuall% no consensus e.ists on whom to persecute. ,". 9ourts are sufficientl% insulated from public opinion to enforce constitutional protections".

0I#PORTANT TER#S
civic competence civic duty civil society class consciousness orthodox political culture progressive A belief that one can affect government policies A belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs. Eoluntar% action that ma2es cooperation easier A belief that one is a member of an economic group whose interests are opposed to those of people in other such groups 0n political terms, someone who believes that that moralit% and religion ought to be of decisive importance A patterned and sustained wa% of thin2ing about how politics and government ought to be carried out A belief that personal freedom and solving social problems are more important than religion