Good Citizen 6-9

The Good CitizenChapters 6, 7, 8, 9

Russell J. Dalton

Monday, January 26, 2009

Government: Problem or Solution?

“We must not look to government to solve our problems. Government is the problem.” —Ronald Reagan



“The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end.” —Barack Obama



Citizenship types affect policy preferencesDuty-based: emphasis on individual responsibility, restrict social programs and redistributive policiesEngaged: support for activist government, provide for needy, social service programs, guarantee civil rights


Spending Priorities

Duty citizens want to spend on:Transportation, scientific research, space exploration, military

Engaged citizens want to spend on:

Foreign aid, welfare, minority assistance, environment, education, childcare, urban areas


Citizenship and Scope of Government

Citizenship norms shape how Americans think about the scope of government and how they define policy priorities

Citizen duty leads to a more restrictive view of government with limited policy mandate

Engaged citizenship encourages activist image of government, especially on social programs


Support for the System

Political scientists described supportive and allegiant attitudes as fundamental elements of a democratic civic culture

Diminished support for government and political institutionsWidespread dissatisfaction with government

Is the vitality of democracy at risk?Monday, January 26, 2009

Evaluations of Government

High duty citizenship:More positive about government performance, administrators, think elections are fair and honest

High engaged citizenship:Not nostalgic about government working, believe corruption more widespread, elections not fair


Democratic Values

Inclusion & EqualityCitizen participationEffective participationSocial democracy


Democratic Values Tradeoffs

Will of majority vs. rights of minority

Times of war call for strong leader vs. times of war call for political skepticism

Give up liberties to curb terrorism vs. preserve freedoms or they win

Respect policies even if disagree vs. act according to conscience


National Pride

Overt expressions of patriotism seem less commonMulticulturalism/diversity changes national identity

Duty: allegiance, loyalty, political order

Engaged: questioning view of government, solidarity aspects


Images of Government

My country right or wrong; If right to defend it, if wrong to correct itDuty citizens: more trustful, more deferential to elites, enthusiastic in national prideEngaged citizens: less trust and loyalty presents a challenge while support for equality, minority rights, expression support democracy


Comparing US

Cross national comparisons identify common processes of social and political change that transcend any nation’s unique historical experiencesLooking for similarities and differences in citizenship between US and other democracies

What does Dalton find?Monday, January 26, 2009

American Citizenship

Americans tend to attach more importance to citizenship than do people in other industrial democracies

Includes serve in military, pay taxes, obey laws, watchdog, be socially active etc.


Citizenship Comparison

Previous generations of Americans scored far higher than other democracies in citizen dutyToday’s young Americans score higher than other democracies in both citizen duty and engaged citizenship


Participation Comparison

Americans are less likely to vote or attend a demonstration, but are more likely to petition, donate money, contact politicians, attend a meeting, and participate in an online forum


Tolerance Comparison

Americans by far most tolerant of citizens of developed democracies

73% allow public meeting of religious extremist vs. 29% elsewhere30% allow meeting of those trying to overthrow government vs. 14% elsewhere


Democracy in America

“In comparison to other democracies, the American political culture still contains many of the values that make for vibrant democracy, and these may have even increased over the past several decades”


Goldilocks Democracy

“Democracy benefits from a Goldilocks political culture, which is neither too hot nor too cold, neither too hard nor too soft, neither too allegiant nor too challenging”

“To love democracy, it is necessary to love it moderately”

What does this mean in terms of citizenship?


Changing Balance of Citizenship

Reflects broad restructuring of American society and social relations Trying to renew traditional norms of citizen duty won’t workHave to understand how the democratic process adjusts to these changing norms to maintain balance


The Younger Generation

Old people complain that young people are not like them; thus democracy suffers

Younger generation: most educated, highest standard of living, most tolerant, diverseRange of values and behaviors that will benefit democracy


Political Process Adaptations

1. Political Parties & ElectionsTurnout strategy aimed at engaged not just dutyMake political parties more relevant

2. Politics more contentiousEngaged more challenging of government


Political Process Adaptations

3. People connect to government in new waysInstitutional reforms make process more populist

4. Equality of citizen influenceGreater demand on skills and resources of those involvedBeyond one person-one vote


Wisdom of Bono

“America is an idea, but it’s an idea that brings with it some baggage, like power brings responsibility. It’s an idea that brings with it equality, but equality even though it’s the highest calling, is the hardest to reach. The idea that anything is possible...This is the time for bold measures. This is the country and you are the generation”


Good Citizen 6-9

News & Politics

Transcript of Good Citizen 6-9