Lecture 2: American Political Culture and Ideology PDF

Lecture 2 American Political Culture and Ideology What Makes Government Legitimate? Government _____________________________is a system or organization for exercising authority over a body of people. Politics ______________________________can be defined as the process through which de...

Lecture 2 American Political Culture and Ideology What Makes Government Legitimate? Government _____________________________is a system or organization for exercising authority over a body of people. Politics ______________________________can be defined as the process through which decisions are made about who gets what, when, and how within a society. Politics produces different systems of government. Authority _____________________________is power that people consider to be legitimate. If people lose faith in their government, they put themselves in a state of rebellion. The American Colonists lost their faith in a political system they no longer believed to be legitimate; began to question the authority of a king, rather than authority coming form the people. Divine Right of Kings Theory The divine right of kings' theory dates back to antiquity, though its most formalized expression is associated with medieval and early modern Europe. monarchs Authority is derived from God, granting ___________________________absolute power. subjects Individuals are _____________________ who must obey the monarch’s will as a divine mandate. absolute Government power is centralized and______________________________, often unchecked. hierarchical Society is_____________________________, with the king and nobility superior by divine decree. God Rebellion against the king is considered rebellion against ______________. Classical Liberalism By the 18th century, divine right of kings' theory faced increasing criticism with the rise of enlightenment thought, social contract theories (e.g., John Locke), and political revolutions, such as the American and French Revolutions. consent Authority is derived from the _____________________________of the governed. natural rights Individuals are autonomous, with inherent _______________________________. limited Government power is ___________________________and designed to protect individual rights. equal All individuals are ______________________under the law and possess equal rights. overthrow Citizens have the right to ________________________________a government that violates their rights. Locke’s Influence on the Declaration Natural Rights ___________________________________________ - Jefferson adapted this concept, stating that individuals are endowed with "unalienable Rights," including "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.“ Government’s Purpose __________________________________ - It echoes this principle by stating that governments are instituted to secure these rights and derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed." Consent of the Governed ___________________________________ - This principle is central, as it declares that government authority comes from the people's consent and can be altered or abolished if it becomes destructive of these ends. Right to Revolution ______________________________________________ - Jefferson explicitly reflects this, stating that it is the people's right and duty to "throw off" a government that becomes destructive to their rights. Equality of Individuals ______________________________________________ - Jefferson begins with the assertion that "all men are created equal."  Values of American Political Culture Political culture is the prevailing political attitudes and beliefs within a society or region. Individualism _______________________________________________ - The belief that individuals are responsible for their own success and well-being, emphasizing personal responsibility, self-reliance, and merit. Equality _______________________________________________ - Equal opportunity for all individuals under the law, ensuring fairness without guaranteeing equal outcomes. Freedom ________________________________________________ - The protection of individual liberties, including freedom of speech, religion, and enterprise, from unnecessary government interference. Limited Government ________________________________________________ - A government that exercises only the powers explicitly granted by the Constitution, ensuring it does not overreach into personal lives or economic affairs. The American Ideological Divide conservative The term “_________________________________" means traditional, so conservative political ideology aligns with the traditional understanding of American values. EX: conservatives define freedom as self-reliance, avoiding dependence on government for basic needs. Conservatism reflects traditional American political values. It emphasizes limited government, especially in the market, with its main role being to protect. Conservatives do not see government as responsible for addressing inequalities that arise in a free society. Instead, they view citizens as responsible for their own success or failure. Social conservatism ____________________________________________, however, supports using government to uphold traditional norms. The American Ideological Divide liberal The term “______________________________" means progressive or advocating for change. In political ideology, it challenges the traditional interpretation of American values. EX: liberals see freedom as achievable only when government provides basic needs, even if that results in full dependence on government. Liberalism pushes beyond traditional American values, advocating for a government empowered to address collective needs, not just individual liberty. It seeks to remove barriers like poverty, discrimination, and lack of education, viewing citizens as members of groups, some facing systemic inequities. Liberals aim to address inequalities, even those arising from personal choices. Social liberals __________________________________________advocate for government-driven progressive changes to reshape the social fabric.