American Political Culture

Study Outline  Chapter 4: American Political Culture I. Introduction A. The American model of government both here and abroad B. Tocqueville on American democracy 1. Abundant and fertile soil for democracy to grow 2. No feudal aristocracy; minimal taxes; few legal restraints 3. Westward movement; vast territory provided opportunities 4. Nation of small, independent farmers 5. Moral and mental characteristics, today called governmental culture II. Political Culture C. Defined as a distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out (e.g. stronger American ruling in political than in economic par) D. Elements of the American political system 6. Liberty 7. Democracy 8. Equality 9. Civic duty E. Some questions about the U.S. political culture 10. How do we make out people share these beliefs? Before polls, beliefs inferred from books, speeches, and so on 11. How do we formulate behavior inconsistent with beliefs? Beliefs still important, source of change 12. Why so much political conflict in U.S. history? dispute occurs even with beliefs in common 13.

Most consistent evidence of political culture Use of terms Americanism, un-American F. The economic system 14. Americans support free endeavor but see limits on marketplace freedom 15. Americans prefer equality of opportunity to equality of result; individualist view 16. Americans have a shared commitment to economic individualism/self-reliance (see 1924 and 1977 polls) III. analyze citizens of the United States with those of other nations G. Political system 17. Swedes: more deferential than participatory a. parry to government experts and specialists b. Rarely challenge governmental decisions... If you want to write down a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com

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