American Political Culture

Where does it come from?

What is Political Culture? • Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms that

define the relationship between citizens and government, and citizens to one another.

• Consensual v. Conflictual Political Culture– Consensual: agreement on the widely shared beliefs,

values, and norms (ex: U.S.A.?) • Republicans v. Democrats?

– Conflictual: no agreement (ex: Revolutionary France, 19th century Europe, modern Afghanistan)

• Examples in other nations: – Britain: Monarchy – Iran: Religion

Roots of American Political Culture

• Part I: The Liberal Tradition • Classical liberalism

– Do not confuse it with modern liberalism of today

– Product of Enlightenment ideas that challenged feudalism

• Dignity of individual and rationality of the individual • Challenge to government’s authority (absolutism)• Challenge to existing social structure (aristocracy

and patronage)

Classical Liberalism

• Key players in classical liberalism– John Locke and Thomas Hobbes:

natural rights and consent of governed– Jean-Jacques Rousseau: “Man is born

free but everywhere in chains” • State must gain legitimacy through

promoting the “general will” (not individual will)

– Adam Smith - free markets (as opposed to mercantilism and state control)

Roots of American Political Culture: the American

Landscape • Europe does not embrace liberal tradition -

why America? – LAND

• Property = power in Old World Europe• Promotes sense of equality

– Hard to create rigid social structure with aristocracy – Hartz: “No feudalism = no socialism”

– SIZE• Impossible for one dominant institution to take root

(tough to assert authority) – Effect: Local control

» Empowers individuals to control their own lives (democracy)

The American Landscape (cont.)

• Europe does not embrace liberal tradition - why America? – DIVERSITY

• No one religion (again - no institution) • Resistance to authority • TOLERANCE

– Can a free government function without it? • Numerous factions = more widespread

participation

Roots of American Political Culture: “Manners” of

American People

• What does Alexis de Tocqueville (Democracy in America) observe about Americans and their behavior? 1. Abundant & fertile land2. Countless opportunities for people to

acquire land & make a living 3. Lack of feudal aristocracy that blocked

others ambitions (no landed nobility)4. An independent spirit encouraged by

frontier living

Liberty• Definition:

– Positive liberty: enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges

– Negative liberty: freedom from arbitrary or despotic control

• Roots:– Classical liberalism

• Limit the power of authority to allow individual to flourish

– Slavery• White opportunity is built on backs of black exploitation• “Sensitivity” to tyranny

– American Revolution

Equality

• “All men are created equal” – Meaning?– Equality before the LAW

• law applies equally to all people – no favoritism / patronage

– Political equality:• The idea that every individual has a right to equal

protection under the law & equal voting power (always a goal, not always a reality)

– Economic equality:• Equality of opportunity - “meritocracy” v. aristocracy • Especially with regard to improving our economic

status. Social background should not limit your ability to achieve

– American Dream – myth or reality?

Individualism

• Meaning:– The individual's rights are valued above

those of the state (government) – Individual initiative and responsibility are

strongly encouraged.

• Roots:– “Frontier Thesis” – Frederick Jackson Turner

• History of America = History of Western settlement

– Horatio Alger stories – “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”

• Myth of rags to riches

Democracy• What do we mean by democracy?

– Popular sovereignty? Ultimate faith in the people? – Majority rule

• However, throughout history you have seen conflict between “people” and the “elite”

– Ex: Constitutional Convention - Charles Beard’s interpretation

– Political tolerance: We accept laws even if passed by a political party we did not agree with

– “Revolution of 1800” – Allegiance to the rule of law

• deference to independent judiciary

• Roots– Liberal political thought

• Individuals capable of governing themselves (rational beings)

Civic Responsibility / Community

• What does civic responsibility mean? – What obligation do you have to your neighbor? – Responsibilities of a citizen?

• Voting? • Community service? • Military service? • Jury duty? • Paying taxes?

• Roots: – Classical Republicanism: a free government requires a

virtuous citizenry that is participatory• People as the safeguard against tyranny

– Madison – Federalist No. 10• People cannot always be the safeguard – people are often the

source of tyranny• Advocating on behalf of your self-interest is safest guard against

tyranny (multiplicity of factions) – What does Tocqueville see in Jacksonian America?

Other Values?

• Capitalism? • Patriotism? • Religion? • Tolerance and diversity?• American exceptionalism?

– Is America the greatest country in the world?