Political culture and ideology - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Political culture and ideology

Chapter 4

AP US Government and Politics

Mrs. PapishSlide2

Shared Values

Classic Liberalism-stresses the importance of the individual, freedom, equality, private property, limited government and popular consentSlide3

American Political Culture

Liberty

Equality

Individualism

Power to the people

Democratic consensus

Justice and the rule of law

Nationalism, optimism, and idealism Slide4

Liberty

Most revered valueSlide5

Equality

Social Equality

-no titles, no nobility

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that…”

Political Equality

-right to equal protection under the law, equal voting power-GOAL not reality

Equal Opportunity

-background should not limit one in regards to improving econ statusSlide6

Individualism

Citizens have rights and responsibilities

Concern for preserving individual freedom of choiceSlide7

Democracy

Democratic Consensus-as to government and the Constitution

Majority Rule-minority rights

Two-party system and regular elections

Popular sovereignty-power to govern

Where do Americans differ…over what certain constitutional provisions require or over the precise meaning of the framers’ original intentSlide8

Justice by the Rule of Law

Government based on a body of law applied equally and by just proceduresSlide9

Nationalism

Optimism and idealism—our nation is better, stronger and more virtuous than othersSlide10

Political and Economic Change

Industrial transformation from agrarian to industrial

Consequence? Inequality in dist. of wealth-

Robber barons

Led to different opinions in politics

Monopolies led to unsafe work conditions and anti-trust leg.

Americans believed

gov

should “promote the general welfare” by regulating businessSlide11

Great Depression and New Deal

~Turned to

gov

to improve conditions for jobless and homeless

~Today, most support semi-regulated or mixed free enterprise system

~Second Bill of Rights called for economic security and independence

~Civil and voting rights legislation & war on poverty defined ideological and political fights of last centurySlide12

The American Dream

A complex set of ideas about the economy and its relation to individuals; it speaks to our most deeply held hopes and goals.

The U.S. is the “Land of Opportunity”

Endorsement of capitalism

Recurring issues-tax fairness

Conflict between those who value competitive economy and egalitarian societySlide13

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s

“Second Bill of Rights”

The right to a useful and remunerative job

The right to affordable food, clothing, and recreation

The right of every farmer to earn a livable income

The right of every business[person] to trade in a monopoly free environmentSlide14

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s

“Second Bill of Right” –

con’t

.

The right of every family to a decent home

The right to affordable and adequate medical care

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment

The right to a good educationSlide15

Political Ideologies

Liberalism

Socialism

Conservatism

Environmentalism

LibertarianismSlide16

Liberalism

Classic liberalism of 19

th

Century-min.

gov

. involvement

Modern Liberalism-

~Support for government sponsored social programs

~Support for government intervention in economy

~Opposition to government interference with personal morals or activities

~Opposition to expansion of the militarySlide17

New Types of Liberalism

~New Deal Liberals

~Social Liberals-Peace Liberals

~Neoliberals-lost faith in welfare programsSlide18

Conservatism

~Opposition to government intervention in the economy…Pro-business

~Opposition to government sponsored social programs

~Favors dispersing power broadly to avoid concentration of power at the national level

~Support for a strong military

~Belief in a free-enterprise system with property rightsSlide19

Conservatism

~Support use of military force as a means to an ends

~Support balanced budget

~Support limited taxationSlide20

New Right

1980’s strong desire to impose social controls

Christian coalition of 90”s

Neo Cons-Left the Democratic party over busing, Vietnam issues, support intervention in Iraq both times and still do in our involvement

in AfghanistanSlide21

Socialism

DIVISIONS

Democratic Socialism-

Great Britain, Germany, France, Scandinavian nations

~Support democratic system

~Gov

reg

and ownership of major industries

~Support for production and distribution of goods and services

~Support for

gov

planning to protect citizens’ welfareSlide22

Socialism, contin

…

Totalitarian socialism-same as communism such a People’s Republic of China

Beliefs

Support for revolution against existing systems

Gov regulation and ownership of industry

Support for

gov

planning to protect citizens’ welfare and interestsSlide23

Libertarianism

Ideology that cherishes individual liberty and sharply limited

gov

Preaches opposition to

gov

and just about all programs

Opposes all government regulationSlide24

Environmentalism

“Green movement” –taken hold in parts of Europe.

U.S. Green party stresses social justice, diversity, gentler farming techniques, energy efficiency, integrity of nature

2000-Ralph Nader won 3% of popular vote in the Presidential electionSlide25

Criticisms of Liberals

Too much reliance on governmental solutions

Forgets government has to be limited

Big government tends to dictate

Too many controls and too much taxationSlide26

Criticisms of Conservatives

Gov seen as counter productive and inconsistent

Critics argue conservatives have selective opposition to big government

Gov spending grew during all Rep administrations since the 80’s

Insensitive to social needs

Too much faith in the market

Failure to acknowledge and endorse policies dealing with racism and sexismSlide27

Where do attitudes about the role of government come from?

Family

Schools

Media

Workplace

Religious or

political activitiesSlide28

Americans and Political Ideology

More Conservatives than liberals

Fewer extreme liberals or conservatives, most in the middle

Ideological Views

Provides a lens through which to view politics

Americans don’t always fit either ideology

Attitudes toward issues are

inconsistant

Most Americans distrust big business more than big government