Political Culture
an overall set of values widely shared within a society that shapes political behavior.
It includes moral judgments, political myths, beliefs and ideas about what makes for
a good society.
Aspects of American political culture:
Mistrust of Government
--limited government
--laissez-faire (free market)
Work Ethic
Belief in God (but sep. of church and state)
Patriotism
Equality of Opportunity
Liberty
Democracy
95% of Americans
agreed:
89% of Americans
agreed:
95% of Americans
agreed:
I believe in free
speech for all no
matter what their
views might be.
older
males
white
fundamentalist
Christians*
higher social
class/economic status*
younger
women
ethnic/racial minorities
working class*
non-Christians*