Political Culture and Public Opinion

The Difference
Political Culture: a distinctive and patterned way of thinking about how political and economic life ought to be carried out.
Broadly shared Fairly stable over time

Political Ideology: generational views about policies the government should pursue.
Way of thinking about the goals (ends) of government

Public Opinion: What people think about specific issues at specific times.
Varies across individuals Varies over time.

America's Unique Political Culture

It means something to be American. Strong attachment to country
Very patriotic. Proud to be from here. Willing to fight

What Makes the US Unique?

Liberty
General right to do as we please as long as it doesn't interfere with/hurt others. General fear of government taking away freedoms.
Trust in government decline in 1970s

What Makes the US Unique?

Equality
Equality of opportunity (high in the US): a great commitment to. Equality of condition (refers to outcomes): level the playing field
This is not as highly valued in the US, the commitment is lower than it is with equality of opportunity.

What Makes the US Unique?

Democracy: an increasingly strong commitment to personal participation in government.

What Makes the US Unique?

Civic Duty: Voting, for example. Typically, 4555% turnout.
If you ask people in a phone interview for a poll, people's responses indicate turnout would have around 70%. Americans feel an obligation to be involved. We feel we can make a difference (civic competence). Turnout is relatively low though in the US. Only around 50% of eligible voters vs. 80% in other nations. Participation in campaigns, meetings and general civic engagement is as high or higher than elsewhere.

What Makes the US Unique?

Individual Responsibility: responsible for our own actions and well-being (rugged individualism)
Everyone gets a chance (again, equal opportunity) but from there everyone is responsible for themselves.

Religiosity: US is more religious than other nations.

What Makes the US Unique?

Political Efficacy: capacity to understand and influence political events.
Internal: the ability to understand and take part in the system; to know you can do something to influence. [To understand and participate] External: the ability to make the system respond; to believe what you do makes a difference [When you participate, the system responds]

What Makes the US Unique?

Political Tolerance: to allow for voices we disagree with into the discussion
Tolerance typically has increased over time.

Sources of Political Culture

Revolution and mistrust of centralized authority Protestant work ethic Culture war:
Socially orthodox: places morality above liberty Socially progressive: places liberty over morality

Public Opinion
Gender Gap: women have tended to be more liberal. Social Class: Labor Unions tend to be liberal as do those from lower income backgrounds. Race: African Americans are more Democratic. Region: The switch in the South following the passage of civil rights legislation.

Societal Cleavages
Reinforcing Cleavages: Divisions between groups in society fall along same lines.
All people of one race are the same religion, live in the same region, have the same level of education, etc.

Cross-Cutting Cleavages: Divisions that we see in society don't fall along the same lines.