+
Political Culture
The widely shared beliefs, values, and norms
that citizens share about their government
+
Sources of Culture
 Historical
roots
 Revolution,
taxation, Civil War
 Puritan
heritage
(Protestant Work
Ethic)
Learning Objective 2:

Recognize the agents of
political socialization and
explain the impact the agents
have on shaping the political
views of individuals.
Characteristics
 Liberty
 Individualism/Rugged
Individualism (as
opposed to collectivism/statism)
 Immigrant
flavors
 Glorification
of farmer, pioneer
+
Elements of American Political Culture

Liberty

Political & legal equality

Democratic

Individual responsibility

Limited Government

Political tolerance

Pragmatism

Civic duty

Economic culture

Religion culture
+
Characteristics
 Equality
 Equality
of opportunity more than results
 Political
equality more than economic equality
 American
Dream (reverence for property,
capitalism, chance for wealth)
+
Characteristics (Cont’d)
 Democracy
 Civic
Duty

“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, 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
 Political
parties
+
Characteristics (Cont’d)
 Distrust
of Government - since 1960’s and
Watergate, Viet Nam (esp. low today due to
gridlock/partisanship)
 Political
Efficacy - sense that one can both
understand and influence public policy
 Political Tolerance
- more in the abstract than
concrete (Do we tolerate opposing viewpoints?)
+
Economic Culture

Free enterprise / Free
Market

Equality of opportunity
 But not of results

Economic mobility
needed,
 But based on
achievement; (not
provided by gov’t
assistance)
+
Dilemma (Gov’t Role?)
 Conflict
between liberty associated with
capitalism and equality associated with
democracy--federal action
 In
progressive era to bring corporations
under control (Reforms such as Pure Food
and Drug Act, Initiative and Referendum,
etc.)
How much do we know? (Percent of
Americans who cannot name…)
+
US & Europe: Work
Hard
work guarantees success
+
In response to the statement:
“Our culture is not perfect, but is
superior to others”

”
+
US & Europe: Religion
 Prayer
is an important part of my life
 US
UK
 64%
37%
I
Germany
Italy
France
44%
69%
32%
Germany
Italy
France
54%
69%
48%
am a religious person
 US
UK
 76%
55%
+
Religious/Political Tolerance
Text page 106
• If your party nominated a
well qualified person who is---would you vote for the
person?

Person
1940
1990

Catholic
60%
90%

Jew
50%
88%

Woman
35%
80%

Black
40%
80%

Atheist
20%
45%

Homosexual
20%
38%
+ If your party nominated a generally well-qualified person for
president who happened to be
__________________, would you vote for that person? (Gallup, June
2015)