Political Culture - RL

Page 1: The American Dream and Arnold Schwarzenegger

• Quote: Arnold Schwarzenegger reflects on his journey from Austria to becoming Governor of California, highlighting the essence of the American Dream.

• Symbol of the American Dream: Schwarzenegger represents the ideal that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success in the U.S.

• Focus Question: Explore how the American Dream embodies core American values and beliefs.

Page 2: Values vs. Beliefs

• Definitions:

  • Values: Principles and standards of behavior; what is considered important in life.

    • Examples: Loyalty, courage, compassion, respect.

  • Beliefs: Acceptance of truths; perceptions of what is factual or moral.

    • Examples: Belief in fairness, religious convictions, moral judgments.

• Impact on Behavior:

  • Values affect behavior and morals.

  • Beliefs relate primarily to religious or spiritual life.

Page 3: American Political Culture

• Definition: A set of shared ideals regarding governance and societal purposes.

• Focus Question: How does the American Dream express the underlying values and beliefs of American political culture?

Page 4: Poverty Statistics (1959-1996)

• Poverty Rates Overview:

  • Key years examined (1959, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1996):

    • 1959: 39.3 million in poverty

    • 1965: 32.4 million in poverty

    • 1996: 15.1% poverty rate.

• Focus Question: Investigate the relationship between poverty and the American Dream during recessionary periods.

Page 5: Five Values of American Political Beliefs

• Core Values:

  1. Equality of Opportunity (not economic equality)

  2. Liberty

  3. Individual Responsibility

  4. Civic Duty

  5. Democracy

• Focus Question: Analyze how these values contribute to the concept of the American Dream.

Page 6: Reality of the American Dream

• Discussion Point: The ongoing relevance and attainability of the American Dream in contemporary society.

• Focus Question: Explore how the American Dream incorporates American values and beliefs amidst social and economic challenges.

Page 7: Influence of the American Dream Today

• Summation: Assess how the American Dream continues to shape the aspirations and values of many Americans.

• Focus Question: How does the American Dream still resonate within the context of modern American society?

Page 8: Summary of Political Culture and Beliefs

• I. Political Culture:

  1. Set of ideals shared about governance and its purposes.

  2. Values as shared ideas of good/right.

  3. Beliefs as shared ideas of truth.

  4. Influences on values and beliefs: family, race, religion.

• B. Five Elements of American Political Belief:

  1. Liberty

  2. Equality (Equality of opportunity, not economic equality)

  3. Democracy

  4. Civic Duty

  5. Individual Responsibility

• Focus Question: Reflect on how these elements fundamentally shape the American Dream.