Political Culture
The widely shared beliefs, values, and norms that citizens
share about their government
Characteristics
 Liberty
(Freedom/Rights)
 Individualism/Rugged
Individualism
(as opposed to
collectivism/statism)
Learning Objective 2:
 Recognize the agents of
political socialization and
explain the impact the
agents have on shaping
the political views of
individuals.
Characteristics
 Equality
 Equality of opportunity more than results
 Political equality more than economic equality
 Free Enterprise: Capitalism/Free Markets;
Competition Fosters Innovation
 American Dream (reverance for property, capitalism,
chance for wealth)
 FDR’s second Bill of Rights (1944) ensuring economic
security
 False consciousness (as opposed to class consciousness
associated w/Europe)
Dilemma
 Conflict between liberty associated with capitalism and
equality associated with democracy– prompts federal
action
 In progressive era to bring corporations under control
(Early 1900’s)
 In 1930’s to smooth out ill effects of capitalism: New
Deal
 In 1960’s with Great Society programs (LBJ) to combat
poverty
Characteristics (Cont’d)
 Democracy
 Civic Duty (includes voting, jury duty, etc.)
 “Social Capital” creates a strong society: Social Networks
 Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone) advances argument that
number of bowlers has increased, but those participating in
leagues has declined, therefore he assumes that with decline in
social network, there is less likelihood of people coming
together, listening to one another, exchanging ideas (creates
smaller degree of civic duty)
Civic Duty
 Key Club, Leadership, NHS, GO etc.
 Kiawanis, Rotary, Odd Fellows, Elks, Optimists.
NAACP, Urban League, Junior League
 Scouts, Boys Club, Pop Warner, Little League, Kids
Soccer, etc.
 Friends of Trees, Habitat for Humanity
 LWV, PTA
 Boards, Councils, Commissions
 Political parties
Characteristics (Cont’d)
 Patriotism/Optimism

(However, distrust of governmen has increased since 1960’s and Watergate,
Viet Nam)
 Justice/Rule of Law - Belief in the rule of law. A “government of laws,
not men.”

Others:

Political Efficacy - sense that one can both understand and influence public policy

Political Tolerance - more in the abstract than concrete

Pragmatism - Americans tend to be less ideological