Unit 3: American Political Culture

The dominant set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that define the relationship between citizens and government. The existence of a shared political culture does not prevent conflict over such pressures to reconcile conditions with values, or one value with another.

Political Culture

The dominant set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that define the relationship between citizens and government.

The existence of a shared political culture does not prevent conflict over such pressures to reconcile conditions with values, or one value with another.

Liberty/Freedom

-Basic freedoms

-Limited Government

Equality

-Political Equality: equal voting rights

-Legal Equality: equal treatment before law

-Equality of Oppurtunity: chance to succeed in life

Individualism

Respect of the dignity of the individual

People should be responsible of their own choices and well-being

Democracy

-Government should be based on the consent of the government

-Majority rule/minority rights

-Citizens have a responsibility to support their local community

Political Efficacy

The mistrust of government is linked to a corresponding decline in political efficacy

The belief that individuals can influence political processes.

Political socialization

The experiences and factors that shape an individual’s political values, attitudes, and behaviors

Political ideology

an individual’s coherent set of beliefs about government and politics

Family

almost 70% of all voters will identify with the same party as their parents.

family Is the most important agent of political socialization

Generational Effect

the impact of historical events experienced by a generation upon their political views

Life-cycle effect

The impact of a person’s age and stage in life on their political views

milennials are shaped by terrorism like baby boomers are shaped by Vietnam and Watergate scandal

younger people are less politically engaged than older people

Political Party

an organization that seems to achieve power by electing its members to public office

Why does the U.S have the two party system

tradition - it just developed

electoral system - usuallyone person can win

american ideological consensus - fundamental matters

the U.S is free of long standing, bitter disputes

both parties are built on compromise and try to be moderate

Federalists

supported the ratification of the constitution; organized by Alexander hamilton

anti federalists

led by thomas Jefferson ; renamed them the democratic republicans

George Washington’s Farewell Address

a speech given in 1796 where he warned against political parties and foreign alliances.

think political parties will cause divisiveness and factionalism that could harm national unity.

someone in the political party leader will use it for their own gain and destroy government

foreign governments will have more influence to our government to corrupt.