what did De Tocqueville argue
that democracy endured in the US because of geography, laws, and "the manners and customs of the people
Alexis De Tocqueville
French political writer noted for his analysis of American institutions (1805-1859) Democracy in America
what is American political culture
a distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how politics and economic life should be carried out
written vs unwritten constitution
US, France vs England
separation vs unified powers
US vs England, France
presidential vs semi-presidential vs parliamentary
US vs France vs England
what percent of Americans are non-hispanic white
over 25%
what percent of Americans identify as Christians
over 80%
what type of equality are Americans more likely to favor, and over what
political equality vs economic equality
5 elements of the American view of the political system (ideas of political culture)
-liberty: rights
-equality: equal chance to participate and succeed
-civic duty: become involved, take community affairs seriously
-individual responsibility: individuals are responsible for their own actions/well-being
-democracy: government is accountab
how do we know people share these beliefs about political culture
polls, books, speeches, political choices, personality tests, comparative polling
how do we explain behavior inconsistent with these beliefs in political culture
people take actions contrary to their beliefs in everyday life
most consistent evidence of a common political culture
use of terms like Americanism
contrasting definitions of good citizenship
-people who pay their taxes, obey the law, and support the military
-people who are skeptical of government, join protest movements, and boycott products they do not like
where does a generational divide exist
what makes a good citizen
overall americans still what
love their country
Americans views on the economic system (3)
-support free enterprise, but with limits on marketplace freedom
-equality of opportunity, but not equality of result
-shared commitment to economic individualism
what percent of Americans are proud to be American
71%
what do Americans have a deeper belief in
the importance of God for morality
what country is the model for a well-developed democracy
Sweden
2 ideas of political culture in Sweden
-defer to government experts and specialists
-believe in "what is best" more than "what people want
what did the Almond and Verba study report
US and British citizens had a stronger sense of civic duty and competence than the citizens of Germany, Italy, or Mexico
civic duty
one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs
civic competence
one can affect government policies
Americans _________ ______, but still repot being _______ ___________.
acknowledge flaws; very patriotic
what do Americans favor of equality
freedom
what are Americans more likely to do than Europeans
believe in God, pray daily, and acknowledge a clear standard of right and wrong
what do religious people do more of
donate money and time to charitable organizations
what is religious diversity a source of
cleavage
protestant heritage emphasized what 4 things and what did they make up
-a believer has to work hard
-save money
-obey the secular law
-do good works
work ethic
what were produced by churches congregational organizations and why
miniature political systems; so civic and political skills could develop
what instills the way Americans think about the world and politics
family
horatio alger
Famous promoter of success story... Started as minister of small town (had sexual scandals) but moved to NY and wrote +100 novels all about "rags to riches," which captured aspirations of many men.
what are cultural clashes in America a battle over
values
two cultural camps
-orthodox and progressive
in what 3 ways do cultural wars differ from political disputes
-money is not at stake
-compromises are almost impossible
-conflict is more profound
causes of decrease in trust of government (4)
-Vietnam
-Watergate
-Clinton impeachment
-War in Iraq
what percent have Americans have a lot of confidence in the government
12%
what is the only institution in which public confidence has increased
the military
robert putnam
political scientists that believed that interest groups are essential sources of social capital and believed social capital was declining
social capital
Democratic and civic habits of discussion, compromise, and respect for differences, which grow out of participation in voluntary organizations.
gunnar myrdal
Swedish economist; writes "The American Dilemma" says US biggest problem is racism because of stereotype of blacks as inferior among whites; blacks treated as second class by gov.