- American political culture centers on a set of core ideals--liberty, equality, self-government, individualism, diversity and unity--that serve as the people's common bond. These mythic principles have a substantial influence on what Americans will regard as reasonable and acceptable and on what they will try to achieve.
- Politics is the process that determines whose values will prevail in society. The play of politics in the United States takes place in the context of democratic procedures, constitutionalism and capitalism, and involves elements of majority, pluralist, bureaucratic, and elite rule.
- Politics in the United States is characterized by a number of major patterns, including a highly fragmented governing system, a high degree of pluralism, an extraordinary emphasis on individual rights and a pronounced separation of the political and economic spheres.
After reading this chapter you should be able to:
Identify the core ideals that constitute American political culture. |
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Discuss the importance of these ideals to American political culture as well as the reasons these ideals do not match the reality of people's experiences. |
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Identify the roots of political conflict. |
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Define the terms and discuss the relationships among power, authority and policy. |
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Define the terms constitutionalism, capitalism and democracy and discuss how they act as rules to guide the play of politics in the United States. |
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Distinguish among majoritarian, pluralist and elitist theories of power. |
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Explain the "political system" model. |