Elements of Diversity: The American Political Landscape
•A major difference between the U.S. and other countries is that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants
•Political socialization is the process by which parents and others teach children about the values, beliefs, and attitudes of a political culture
•Geography and national identity:
•Geographically large and isolated country
•Alexis de Tocqueville-no great wars, no invasions or conquest (Democracy in America) The primary focus of Democracy in America is an analysis of why republican representative democracy has succeeded in the United States while failing in so many other places.
•Manifest destiny- a divine mission to subdue the whole of N. America, by force if necessary, allotted by Providence
•Abundant natural resources