American Political Culture & Democracy
Published on Nov 19, 2015
No Description
MORE DECKS TO EXPLORE
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE
Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography
Rife with Contradictions .... We say one thing; frequently do something else
Many challenges to democracy: complex issues, limited participation,
increasing cost of campaigns, gridlock
increasing cost of campaigns, gridlock
Photo by Cayusa
Untitled Slide
What do you see? What feelings engendered? What values? What's the backstory?
Photo by r.nial.bradshaw
Untitled Slide
What do you see? What feelings engendered? What values? What's the backstory?
Photo by nikzane
Untitled Slide
What do you see? What feelings engendered? What values? What's the backstory?
Photo by tswarek
POLITICAL CULTURE
Political Culture: overall set of values widely shared within American society
Beliefs, attitudes, opinions people hold about how their govt ought to operate
How should the govt operate?
Olympics, World Cup, American Exceptionalism
Beliefs, attitudes, opinions people hold about how their govt ought to operate
How should the govt operate?
Olympics, World Cup, American Exceptionalism
Photo by angela7dreams
EGALITARIANISM
"all men are created equal"
Believe in equality of opportunity, not equal outcomes
Believe in equality of opportunity, not equal outcomes
Photo by niOS
INDIVIDUALISM
Can & should get ahead on own
Horatio Alger -- "rags to riches"
Immigrants who want a new life and to be left alone
New frontier/westward expansion
Horatio Alger -- "rags to riches"
Immigrants who want a new life and to be left alone
New frontier/westward expansion
Photo by jacobms
LAISSEZ-FAIRE
"hands off"
free mkts and limited govt involvement
Comparison to Europe's/China's industrial policy
free mkts and limited govt involvement
Comparison to Europe's/China's industrial policy
Photo by KAZVorpal
POPULISM
Peoples' rights more impt than privileged elites
Lincoln: govt of the people, by the people, for the people
Lincoln: govt of the people, by the people, for the people
Photo by ian.crowther
CIVIC PARTICIPATION
POLITICAL EFFICACY
Civic Duty: belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs
Civic Competence: belief that one can affect govt policies, i.e. your vote matters
Civic Competence: belief that one can affect govt policies, i.e. your vote matters
Photo by Alan Cleaver
Constitution
Source: Constitution provides legitimacy as well as structure, limited govt, divided power
Photo by space_monkey
Free Enterprise
American support free enterprise system -- mythic Horatio Alger stories
More willing to support economic inequality than political inequality -- Why is this ok?
More willing to support economic inequality than political inequality -- Why is this ok?
Photo by Paco CT
Mistrust of Government
Trust in govt on a steady decline since 1960s -- 9/11 was an exception
Mistrust in Govt: does it matter? Founders experience, U.S. is still the best place in the world (immigration)
Mistrust in Govt: does it matter? Founders experience, U.S. is still the best place in the world (immigration)
Photo by JL Johnson | AviationGeek.net
Watergate
Corrupt public officials
Culture Wars
What kind of country should we inhabit?
What is the appropriate role for religion in politics?
Is it proper for govt officials/candidates to follow his/her religious beliefs when making decisions?
If a person is not religious/believe in God, can s/he be President? Senator? Mayor? Teacher?
What is the appropriate role for religion in politics?
Is it proper for govt officials/candidates to follow his/her religious beliefs when making decisions?
If a person is not religious/believe in God, can s/he be President? Senator? Mayor? Teacher?
Photo by garryknight
#USINATWEET
- @WaxmanOHS
- What is American Political Culture?
- What set of values are widely shared?
- What binds us together?
Photo by Joe Shlabotnik
