PSI 100 - 4.1 Political Roots

Introduction to American Political Culture

  • The final section of the course focuses on the United States and its political culture, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical context and human reactions to various environments.

  • The journey through time and geography highlights common human motivations influenced by different historical timelines and events, which have shaped the United States’ present.

The Roots of American Political Culture

  • Understanding what the US inherited from earlier societies is key to understanding current behaviors and political dynamics.

  • The examination of these roots will consider the evolution of America from its colonial origins to contemporary society.

The Model of American Settlement

  • The course references David Fisher's "Albion's Seed," which provides a framework for understanding the historical influence on American political culture.

  • The visual representation (described as colorful) will show the geographical layout of early American settlements including the Appalachian mountain range as a significant natural border.

Colonization and Initial Settlement Patterns

  • Settlement Regions:

    • The eastern coastal areas were primarily settled by the English, leading to the establishment of the 13 colonies starting in 1607 with Virginia.

    • Virginia existed as a colony for almost 200 years before identifying as part of the United States. The identification as "American" was a socialization process, growing to include the concept of American identity over time.

  • Geographical Distribution: Different cultural groups originated from specific regions within England, leading to distinct settlement patterns across America:

    • Southern Region: Cavaliers settled in Virginia and the southern states, establishing wealthy plantations due to fertile land.

    • Agricultural Economics: Plantations required significant labor, leading to reliance on indentured servants and slaves as sources of labor, which was justified by the prevailing cultural belief systems of the time, including interpretations of Protestantism.

  • Cultural Classes Based on Settlement:

    • Cavaliers: Wealthy plantation owners; associated with large agricultural economies, slavery, and a belief in a natural social hierarchy as God's order.

    • Border Cultures: From the northern areas of England, a rugged group with a strong kinship, characterized by a suspicion of government and self-reliant attitudes.

    • Progressives: Emerging from the central region, notable for the Quakers, who upheld individualism and were strong opponents of slavery. They valued capitalism, competition, and were influential in shaping a more progressive weave of political and economic fabric.

    • Yankees: Settlers from Eastern England known for their emphasis on community, education, neatness, and sociability; played a strong role in establishing New England culture and opposed slavery actively.

Distinct Political Cultural Identities

  • The intersection of these groups produced a diverse yet divided political landscape, leading to varying attitudes on slavery and governance:

    • The North (Progressives and Yankees) formed a coalition against slavery, contributing to rising tensions leading to the Civil War.

    • The South (Cavaliers and Border cultures) often defended slavery and emphasized states' rights and governance by consent.

American Political Ideologies

  • Classic Liberalism:

    • Defined as prioritizing the individual over the government, this ideology emerged prominently in the US context.

    • It incorporates the idea of natural rights, indicating that individuals possess inherent rights that cannot be infringed upon by government.

The Concept of Democracy

  • The notion of pure democracy is critiqued; instead, the US political system is characterized as a liberal democracy:

    • Liberal Democracy Defined: A system where individual rights must be respected even amidst majority rule to prevent the persecution of minority groups.

  • Consent of the Governed:

    • Government derives its power from the consent of the governed; central to liberal democratic ideals.

Economic Principles

  • Capitalism:

    • Advocated by Adam Smith, positing that individuals should control their wealth rather than governmental or ecclesiastical authorities.

    • Emphasizes competition as a driving force: individuals driving innovation and improving product quality to win over consumers, enabling wealth accumulation.

Protestant Ethos

  • The Calvinist influence in early American culture suggested predestination and the moral imperative of maximizing one’s talents and resources as a personal duty to God.

  • This ethos supports both the rugged individualism and the drive toward self-sufficiency that characterizes early US settlers.

Conclusion: Foundations of American Identity

  • The intertwining of liberalism, capitalism, and Protestant ethics forged a unique American political culture marked by a preference for limited government interference, underlining a belief in individual self-sufficiency.

  • By 1776, it is stated that 95% of the population was self-sufficient, primarily engaged in agriculture, reinforcing skepticism towards governmental authority and intervention.

  • Key Dates in American History:

    • 1607: Establishment of Virginia as the first colony

    • 1776: Declaration of Independence

    • 1787: Adoption of the Constitution

  • The course aims to connect these historical frameworks to ongoing developments in American political culture as the nation continues to evolve towards statehood.