1	American Political Culture A. Shared values Liberty Equality Individualism Democratic consensus-Majority rule, Two-party system and regular elections, Popular sovereignty -Americans differ over what certain constitutional provisions require or over the meaning-Freedom of Speech (Books that contain dangerous ideas should be banned from public school libraries) Americans honor many of these rights more in the abstract than in the concrete.
2	Political and economic change The industrial transformation by 1900 Growth of monopolies Antitrust legislation The Great Depression and New Deal Causes-unrestrained capitalism Unregulated markets Disparities of income Most people today support a semi-regulated or mixed free enterprise system
3	FDR’s “Second Bill of Rights” economic security and independence 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 environment 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 education
4	American Ideologies The most important reference group for children learning about American political culture is the family. Liberalism-the positive uses of government Criticisms-too much reliance on government solutions, has to be limited Conservatism-Traditional and Social Private property rights, free enterprise, keep government small , needs to ensue order, desire change only in moderation Opposed to antitrust legislation, environmental regulation, trade regulation Social emerged in the 1980’s. a strong desire to impose various social controls
5	Ideology and attitudes Christian Coalition Pat Robertson Criticisms-have a selective opposition to government, insensitivity to the social needs, too much faith in our market economy Environmentalism-U.S. Green Party 2000 Ralph Nader Stress good agriculture, energy efficiency, integrity of nature Libertarianism-sharply limited government Do away with FBI,CIA,FDA,IRS. Only a strong defense.