Political Beliefs and Behaviors Kelly Walker AP US

Political Beliefs and Behaviors Kelly Walker AP US Government http: //www. cartoonstock. com/newscartoons/cartoonvie w. asp? start=&search=news&catref=jbin 9&NC_Category =Democracy&ANDkeyword=Enter+keywords+here&OR keyword=&TITLEkeyword=&NEGATIVEkeyword=

Questions to Consider 1. Do Americans trust their government? 2. Why do we accept great differences in wealth and income? 3. Why does our government behave differently than governments in countries with similar constitutions? http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Political_scandals_of_the_ United_States#2009. E 2. 80. 93_National

Political Culture �Basic values and assumptions that people have toward authority, the political system, and other overarching themes of political life. �A culture reflects the impact of history on a society’s beliefs. � (Widespread support of Shiite Islam is an important value supporting the continued rule of the Islamic Republic of Iran) � � Halloween: Tradition-holiday

The US Political System: Political Culture 1. Liberty: Everyone has the right to choose 2. Equality: Equal vote and an equal chance to succeed 3. Democracy: Government should be accountable to the people 4. Civic Duty: Everyone should help when they can 5. Individual Responsibility: Individuals are responsible for their own actions and well-being March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom 1963 http: //www. cartoonstock. com/cartoonview. asp? search=site&catref=cwln 565&MA_Category=&ANDkeyword=democracy&ORk eyword=&TITLEkeyword=&NEGATIVEkeyword=

The Big Three �How do we know that Americans share these beliefs? (can these values be proven? ) �If these values are important to Americans, how can we explain the existence in our society of behavior that is obviously inconsistent with them? �If there is agreement among Americans on certain political values , why has there been so much political conflict in our history?

The Economic System �Liberty in the economy �Americans are more willing to tolerate economic inequality �Equality of Opportunity not Equality of Results (everyone has an opportunity to get ahead-It is ok for some with more ability to do well and for wages to be set on how hard people work, not on their economic need) �Economic Individuality �Personal Responsibility

Comparing America with other Nations �The political system: How does culture influence the decision making process? �Sweden- value equality more than liberty �US- value liberty more than equality �Civic duty: a belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs �Civic competence: a belief that one can affect government policies-

Comparing America with other Nations �Economic System �Sweden: Favor equality of results v. equality of opportunity �US: Favor equality of opportunity v. equality of results

Americans compared to other nations: �Think freedom is more important than equality �Hard work is rewarded �Government should have a small role in guaranteeing citizens a basic standard of living? �Less income inequality in Sweden than in the United States

Gini Index �Differences in national income equality around the world as measured by the national Gini coefficient. The Gini coefficient is a number between 0 and 1, where 0 corresponds with perfect equality (where everyone has the same income) and 1 corresponds with perfect inequality (where one person has all the income, and everyone else has zero income).

Inequality Around the World: Gini Index http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_income_equality Country Lowest 20% Highest 20% Ratio: Gap between Rich and Poor Japan 10. 6 35. 7 3. 4 Germany 8. 5 36. 9 4. 3 India 8. 9 41. 6 4. 7 Canada 7. 0 40. 4 5. 8 United Kingdom 6. 1 44. 0 7. 2 United States 5. 4 45. 8 8. 5 Russia 4. 9 54. 3 10. 5 China 4. 7 50. 10. 6 Nigeria 4. 4 55. 7 12. 7 Mexico 3. 1 59. 1 19. 1 Brazil 2. 0 64. 4 32. 2 South Africa 2. 0 66. 5 33. 2

The Civic Role of Religion �Does separation of state and religion foster a greater belief in religion? �How does religion affect political culture? �http: //religions. pewforum. org/reports#

Sources of Political Culture �American revolution Ideals: Liberty, freedom from Tyranny, assertion and maintenance of rights, distrust of authority and of people wielding power. �Religion: Human nature is depraved. No one is born innocent and therefore no one could be trusted with power. (Puritan) �Constitution had to curb human nature to protect natural rights. �Separate church and state- Cleavages between Catholic and Puritan ideology. Max Weber- “Rise of capitalism due to the Protestant Work Ethic” �Church’s develop their own political identity

Sources of Political Culture �The family- How Culture transmitted from one generation to another. (language, religious and political beliefs �“The combined affect of religious and ethnic diversity, an individualistic philosophy, fragmented political authority, and relatively egalitarian American family leads to an absence of a high degree of class consciousness- most are “middle class”. ” �Media http: //video. google. com/videoplay? docid= -3332036626702728686#

A Common Political Culture �Why the conflict? �Values and interests- Not so much economic as social values. �A cultural war? Abortion, Gay Rights, Prayer in Public Schools, Pornography - also fragments religious groups �Orthodox- morality and religion ought to be of decisive importance �Progressive- personal freedom and solving social problems are more important than religion

Mistrust of Government Mistrust Officials v. Government structure �http: //people-press. org/report/95/ �http: //people-press. org/report/319/public-knowledgeof-current-affairs-little-changed-by-news-andinformation-revolutions �http: //pewglobal. org/reports/display. php? Report. ID=2 64

Political Efficacy �Trust and faith in government and the belief that one can understand influence political affairs, commonly measured by surveys and used as an indicator of the broader health of civil society. �Feelings of efficacy are highly correlated with participation in social and political life, however studies have not shown any relationship between public confidence in government or political leaders and voting; efficacy usually increases with age and education.

Political Tolerance �Political Culture must allow for discussion of ideas and the selection of rulers in an atmosphere free of oppression. �Does this always happen? �Role of Judiciary. �http: //www. wwnorton. com/college/polisci/wtp 7 e/full/ch/ 01/video. aspx