Download Political Behavior and Beliefs Political Culture The underlying

Political Behavior and Beliefs
Political Culture

The underlying beliefs, values, assumptions,
attitudes, and patterns of behavior people
have toward government and politics
•Involves political
participation, rights and
liberties and views of
politicians/government
•Involves shared values
Shared Values
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American political culture is grounded in classical
liberalism
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equality, individual, property, limited government
Shared Values in our political culture
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Individualism and freedoms or liberty – most revered
value
Equality – opportunity or outcome????
Importance of individualism
Democratic consensus – majority rule, popular
sovereignty, two-party system
Justice and the rule of law
Nationalism, idealism and optimism
The American Dream

What is it?
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Hard work and initiative brings economic
success
Is the American Dream alive and well?
Political Ideologies
A coherent set of thoughts and beliefs about
politics and the role of government
Most common in the US:
•Conservative
•Liberal
•Moderate
Liberals
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Government a tool to
cure social and
economic injustices
Strict enforcement of
church and state
Government should stay
out of regulating
personal freedoms
Support government
regulation of the
economy
Criticisms
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Relies on government
for solutions
Forgets basic premise of
limited government
Too many governmental
controls and taxation
undermine self-help
ethic
Conservatives
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Individuals responsible for
self and should not rely on
government
Support free market and
protection of private
property
Favor low taxes
Oppose government
involvement

Entitlements and regulations
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Usually support government
action on social issues

Pro-life
Criticisms
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Selective opposition
to government
Insensitive to social
needs
Racism and sexism
Too much faith in
market economy
Deficits grow
Moderates
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Comprise the largest portion of the
American public
No coherent ideology
Pragmatists
Other Ideologies

Libertarians
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Supports individual
liberties and a strict
limitation on government
Opposes government
regulations
Supports opposition to
government
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End FBI, CIA,
government involvement
in education, health,
welfare, crime control,
housing
Repeal income tax
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Socialism/Progressives
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Karl Marx – transition
between capitalism and
communism
Economic and
governmental system of
public ownership of the
means of production and
exchange
Supports greater equality
of property rights
Support greater
involvement of federal
government
Defining Issues for Ideologies

Civil rights

Economics

Public and personal issues
Political Identity

Political Socialization & Political
Predispostion
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Family
Churches
Schools
Mass Media