American Political Culture

Definition of Political Culture

Political culture is defined as a set of shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that shape a group's approach to politics. This encompasses:

  • A political unit (e.g., the United States as a whole, with its unique constitutional framework and historical experiences).

  • Specific regions within a country (e.g., the Southern United States, known for its distinct history and cultural conservatism).

  • Identity groups (e.g., African Americans with their historical struggle for civil rights; Latino Americans with their diverse cultural backgrounds; the working class with their focus on economic issues; evangelicals with their religious values; and Democrats and Republicans with their differing political ideologies).

The distinguishing characteristics that set one political culture apart from another are of particular interest. These differences can arise from historical experiences, economic conditions, social structures, and belief systems.

American Political Culture: A National-Level Identity

American political culture represents the unique ways in which social attitudes, behaviors, and expectations differ from those in other countries. It's a complex mix of ideals, values, and historical experiences that shape how Americans view their government, society, and the world.

A meta-belief that defines American political culture is the idea that Americans are bound primarily by their culture, not necessarily by blood or soil. This concept has been emphasized throughout American history, highlighting the importance of shared values and principles in uniting a diverse nation.

Examples

  • George W. Bush (post-9/11):

    • Following the September 11th attacks, President Bush emphasized that America is united by ideals, not by blood or birth, underscoring the nation's commitment to shared values in the face of adversity.

    • He also highlighted that immigrants embracing these ideals contribute to the country's identity, reinforcing the notion of American culture as inclusive and adaptable.

  • Herbert Hoover (1929):

    • President Hoover articulated that ideals and aspirations are the touchstones of American governance, emphasizing the importance of shared values in guiding the nation's policies.

    • These ideals include self-government, justice, equality of opportunity, individuality, religious spirit, tolerance, and peace, reflecting the core principles upon which the United States was founded.

These ideals, while foundational, are aspirational and may not always reflect the reality of the country. The gap between these ideals and the lived experiences of Americans has been a recurring theme in American history, driving social and political movements aimed at realizing these principles more fully.

Alexis de Tocqueville's Observations

Alexis de Tocqueville, a French observer, traveled to the United States in the early to mid-19th century to study its democratic culture. His goal was to help France develop its own democratic culture after the French Revolution. In his book Democracy in America, he provided insights into the unique characteristics of American society.

  • A common culture in the U.S. is formed from those who left home due to religious and class persecution, highlighting the role of immigration in shaping American identity.

  • The U.S. is a nation of immigrants seeking economic opportunity, underscoring the importance of economic factors in attracting people to the United States.

  • There is no early American aristocracy, unlike in Europe. This absence of a hereditary aristocracy contributed to a more egalitarian society, where social mobility was more attainable.

Geographical Split

  • Southern U.S.: Fortune seekers and entrepreneurs, drawn by the prospect of economic gain in agriculture and commerce.

  • Northern U.S.: Craftspeople, academics, and those fleeing for religious reasons, seeking religious freedom and economic opportunities in manufacturing and trade.

Tocqueville viewed America positively, noting that Americans are hopeful, prosperous, and free, and should be considered a model for the rest of the world. His observations helped to shape perceptions of American exceptionalism and its role as a beacon of democracy.

The American Creed

The American creed is a core set of ideological beliefs that Americans are expected to share. These beliefs are traditionally uncontested and widely accepted, forming a common ground for political discourse and national identity.

Components of the American Creed

  1. Classical Liberalism:

    • Property rights and individual self-determination (modern capitalism), protecting individuals' rights to own property and pursue economic opportunities.

    • Encompasses civil liberties (protection from the government) and civil rights (government protection from society), safeguarding individuals from government intrusion and ensuring equal treatment under the law.

  1. Egalitarianism:

    • Idea of equity and equal opportunity, striving for a society where everyone has a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background.

  1. Popular Sovereignty:

    • Government serves the people, emphasizing that the power of government ultimately resides in the citizens.

    • As stated by President Lincoln: Government of the people, by the people, for the people, encapsulating the essence of democracy and citizen participation.

  1. Support for Minority Rights:

    • Protection of numerical minorities from the tyranny of the majority, ensuring that the rights and interests of minority groups are respected and protected.

  1. American Exceptionalism:

    • America is different or superior to the rest of the world, reflecting a belief in the uniqueness and special role of the United States in global affairs.

    • Focus is on the academic version: what makes America different, examining the historical, cultural, and political factors that distinguish the United States from other nations.

Contested Aspects of American Identity

  1. Importance of Speaking English

    • One in five people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home, a number that has doubled in the past 40 years, reflecting the increasing linguistic diversity of the United States.

    • About 60% of those who speak another language at home also speak English fluently, and this percentage is growing, indicating the integration of immigrants into American society.

    • Seven in ten Americans believe speaking English is important for being truly American, underscoring the perceived importance of a common language for national unity.

    • Policies: Naturalization requires demonstrating English competency, and ESL programs receive government funding, highlighting the government's role in promoting English language acquisition.

  1. Birthright Citizenship

    • Birthright citizenship: Being born on American soil automatically makes one a citizen, regardless of parents' status, a concept enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment.

    • Rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment, which gave citizenship rights to former slaves, ensuring equal protection under the law for all persons born or naturalized in the United States.

    • Rules for citizenship :

      • Born on American soil: Automatic citizenship, regardless of parents' status, a fundamental principle of American citizenship law.

      • Born on foreign soil to at least one American parent: Automatic citizenship, regardless of birthplace, recognizing the rights of American citizens abroad.

      • Naturalization: Legal migration and completion of the naturalization process, providing a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who meet certain requirements.

    • Approximately 30% support ending birthright citizenship, 41% oppose, and 29% are undecided, reflecting differing views on immigration and national identity.

    • Republicans are more likely to support ending it, while Democrats are more likely to oppose, highlighting the partisan divide on this issue.

    • Only about one in three Americans say being born in the U.S. is important for being an American, suggesting a broader view of American identity beyond place of birth.

  1. Nativism

    • The nativist movement became popular in the late 19th century during a major wave of immigration, fueled by concerns about cultural and economic impacts.

    • Nativists sought to restrict immigration and made life difficult for immigrants, reflecting prejudice and discrimination against newcomers.

    • Nativism was particularly anti-Irish and anti-Italian, targeting specific immigrant groups based on their ethnicity and religion.

    • Political Linkage:

      • Political machines in major American cities controlled local politics by influencing how immigrants voted. Bosses would trade favors, protections and payoffs for immigrant votes, creating corrupt systems of patronage and political influence.

      • Nativists opposed these corrupt systems, seeking to reform politics and reduce the influence of immigrant voters.

  1. Multiculturalism

    • Multiculturalism is the idea that a nation can consist of a variety of retained cultures alongside a shared culture, promoting diversity and inclusion in society.

    • This differs from assimilation, which expects immigrants to abandon their culture and adopt American culture, contrasting with the melting pot approach to immigration.

    • Support for multiculturalism has grown over time, driven by increased immigration and social liberalism, reflecting changing attitudes towards diversity and identity.

    • Sharing American customs and traditions is close to a 50/50 proposition in terms of importance, indicating a nuanced view of cultural integration.

    • Social science research shows that immigrants, by the second generation, share many American values, suggesting that cultural adaptation occurs over time.

  1. Christianity

    • Respect for religious faith has been a major aspect of American life, but historically, it was mainly focused on Protestantism, highlighting the historical dominance of Protestant values in American culture.

    • The Know Nothing Party in the 19th century was anti-Catholic, reflecting religious prejudice and discrimination against Catholics.

    • Today:

      • People generally do not see Christianity as an essential component of American identity (about one in three), indicating a shift towards a more inclusive view of American identity.

      • Evangelicals and the very religious are more likely to see it as important, reflecting the continued importance of religion for certain segments of the population.

American Exceptionalism

American exceptionalism is the idea that America is different from the rest of the world, encompassing several factors that contribute to this perception. It's a complex and contested concept that shapes how Americans view their place in the world.

  1. Religion

    • The U.S. is more religious compared to other countries with similar democratic and economic advancement, highlighting the enduring role of religion in American society.

    • Compared to many other developed countries, the US is an outlier in terms of wealth and religiosity. In fact, studies show that the US is much more religious than should be expected based simply on the country's wealth.

  1. Individualism

    • Americans have a strong belief in individual control over their own fate, reflecting a cultural emphasis on personal responsibility and self-reliance.

    • Americans are also considered workaholics, attributing a high value to hard work and achievement.

  1. Freedom

    • The U.S. has strong First Amendment rights to free speech, stronger than most other countries, guaranteeing broad protections for expression and dissent.

  1. Diversity

    • The U.S. is more ethnically diverse compared to countries with similar GDP, especially compared to Europe and East Asia, reflecting the nation's history of immigration and cultural exchange.

  1. Patriotism

    • Americans may have higher levels of pride compared to Europe and East Asia, it's an over exaggeration how much of a difference that is.

  1. Class Consciousness

    • Americans think about and define themselves by class-based labels less than other countries do, indicating a weaker sense of class identity in American society.

    • This is reflected in fewer unions and less union membership compared to the rest of the world, noting a decline in the power and influence of organized labor.

    • Union membership in the U.S. is around 10%, lower than the average of advanced countries.