American Political Culture

Sanford-Green text chapter 4

Political Culture defined

The set of basic values and beliefs about a country or government that are shared by “most citizens” (not all, but most – consensus)

It is the background against which the political system of that country functions.

Values central to the political culture of the US

Majority rule that guarantees minority rights Equality of everyone before the law Protection of private property Civil liberties will be guaranteed by the

government Governmental decisions arrived at through

compromise and consensus The law, and the will of the people, can work to

limit government

Political Socialization: passing on the culture

Home and school training Bonding with special interest groups (Girl Scouts,

unions, churches, clubs, etc.) The Media Public figures News events with positive or negative

repercussions

Public Opinion

The shared attitudes of a country Researched through survey Measures consensus (central agreement) and

strength of opinion

Measuring Public Opinion

Most reliable method: a scientific poll: Includes a large section of the public Includes a diverse section of the public Polls people in a timely fashion Polls people on a topic relevant (salient) to them

Flawed measures of public opinion

“straw polls” -- informal questioning in uncontrolled circumstances

Internet polls relying on voluntary response Calls to radio talk shows that appeal to a specific

audience Polls structured with leading questions or forced

options Polls taken in a group that has no knowledge of

the issue

Political Ideology

Ideology: a consistent, unwavering set of beliefs

Political ideology: a set of beliefs about politics or public policy that creates a person’s “mental lens” through which issues and government actions are viewed.

Main areas of differences in political ideologies: economic policy, social programs, defense policy

The modern political continuum

Generally described as ranging from “left” (liberal) to “right” (conservative)

Most people scatter along the continuum, with a relatively small group of hard-core consistent radicals at either end

Most people will scatter conservative on some issues, moderate on others, liberal on others

The Political Continuum (“left” to “right” )

Use of the words “left” and “right” to define the spectrum dates from 15th century

Two factions in English Parliament: pro a “liberal” government (constitution binds king, more rights to middle class) and pro a “conservative” government (traditional role for king)

Factions so violently opposed, were required to sit on opposite sides of the hall: liberals on left, conservatives on right

The Political Spectrum

(far left) Radical: favors rapid change in the social,

economic, or political order; may favor violence or revolution as a means of accomplishing this.

The Political Spectrum

Examples of the far left:

the Communist Party, the radical student movements of the 1960s

The Political Spectrum

(left) Liberal: supports active government to promote

individuals’ welfare and rights; advocates change through legal political means

The Political Spectrum

Examples of the left:

The Green Party, The American Workers’ Party, more traditional “New Deal” elements of the Democrat Party

The Political Spectrum

(centrist) Moderate:

may include both liberal and conservative ideologies on various topics; are generally seen as tolerant of others’ views.

The Political Spectrum

Examples of American Moderates:

Many members of both Democrat and Republican parties (scattered along the center of the continuum)

The Political Spectrum

(right) Conservative:

supports limited government role in individuals’ daily lives; supports traditional values and lifestyles; advocates strong government role in defense and crime prevention.

The Political Spectrum

Examples of American Conservatives:

The Libertarian Party; the neo-Conservative wing of the Republican Party, the “Christian Right”

The Political Spectrum

(far right) Reactionary:

supports a return to a previous state of affairs from earlier times; critical of most social change; may be willing to use violence or force to achieve goals.

The Political Spectrum

Examples of American Reactionaries:

The KKK, The White People’s Party, various American militia groups (The Minutemen, etc.)

The Political Spectrum

These opposing views often described as “Guns vs. Butter”

Which side would be the “guns” side? Which side would be the “butter” side?