Chapter 1
Political Thinking and Political Culture:
Becoming a Responsible Citizen
Learning Objectives
Having read the chapter, the students should be able to do each of the following:
Understand political thinking, and what political science can contribute to political
thinking.
Identify the core values underlying American political culture.
Discuss the U.S. immigration policy.
Define government and politics.
Compare and contrast the various types of government.
Demonstrate knowledge of the origins of American democracy.
Describe key ideologies in American politics.
Chapter Outline
I. Learning to Think Politically
A. Obstacles to Political Thinking
B. What Political Science Can Contribute to Political Thinking
II. Political Culture: Americans’ Enduring Beliefs
A. Core Values: Liberty, Individualism, Equality, and Self-Government
, B. The Limits and Power of Americans’ Ideals
III. Politics and Power in America
A. A Democratic System
B. A Constitutional System
C. A Free-Market System
D. Who Governs?
IV. The Text’s Organization
V. Summary
Focus and Main Points
Contemporary American government is placed in historical perspective in this chapter. The
value of political science in examining the development of American politics since the
country’s earliest years is examined briefly, and concepts such as power, pluralism, and
constitutionalism that are central to the study of government and politics are also defined
and discussed. In addition, the value of political thinking and the ability of political science
to help develop political thinking are examined. Several comparisons between the cultural
development of political institutions and financial systems of the United States and Europe
help illustrate the different forms of government and economic organization. The main
points of this chapter are as follows:
The development of political thinking is important for functioning democracies, which
rely on the informed choices of citizens for the formation of government. There are
powerful obstacles to political thinking, such as individual unwillingness to develop
it, changing patterns of media consumption, and “spin” by political leaders. Political
science is a discipline that can help develop political thinking among students and
also lead to a fuller understanding of political phenomena.
Every country has its distinctive political culture, a widely shared and deep-seated
belief system. National identity in many countries is taken from the common
ancestry and kinship they share. Americans are linked not by a shared ancestry but
by the country’s political culture as the foundation of its national identity.
, Politics is the process through which a society settles its conflicts. Those who win in
political conflict are said to have power, and those leaders that have gained the
legitimacy to use that power have authority. The play of politics in the United States
takes place in the context of democratic procedures, constitutionalism, and the free-
market system. Theorists differ in explaining how power is wielded, using elements
of majoritarianism, pluralism, corporate power, and elite rule as explanatory
models.
Politics in the United States is characterized by a widespread sharing of power
through a highly fragmented governing system with extensive checks and balances, a
high degree of pluralism, and an extraordinary emphasis on individual rights.
Chapter Summary
Political thinking is the careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming
knowledgeable views of political developments. Political thinking is a key to responsible
citizenship, but many citizens avoid it by virtue of paying scant attention to politics. The
tools of political science can contribute to effective political thinking.
The United States is a nation that was formed on a set of ideals. Liberty, individualism,
equality, and self-government are foremost among these ideals. These ideals became
Americans’ common bond and today are the basis of their political culture. Although
imperfect in practice, these ideals have guided what generations of Americans have tried to
achieve politically.
Politics is the process by which it is determined whose values will prevail in society. The
basis of politics is conflict over scarce resources and competing values. Those who have
power win out in this conflict and are able to control governing authority and policy
choices. In the United States, no one faction controls all power and policy. Majorities govern
on some issues, while other issues are dominated by groups, elites, corporations,
individuals through legal action, or officials who hold public office.
, Politics in the United States plays out through rules of the game that include democracy,
constitutionalism, and free markets. Democracy is rule by the people, which in practice
refers to a representative system of government in which the people rule through their
elected officials. Constitutionalism refers to rules that limit the rightful power of
government over citizens. A free-market system assigns private parties the dominant role in
determining how economic costs and benefits are allocated.
Major Concepts
political thinking
The careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a
knowledgeable view about a political issue.
political science
The systematic study of government and politics.
political culture
The widely shared and deep-seated political beliefs of a particular people.
liberty
The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided
they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others.
individualism
The idea that people should take the initiative, be self-sufficient, and accumulate the
material advantages necessary for their well-being.
equality
The notion that individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby entitled to
equal treatment under the law.
self-government
The principle that the people are the ultimate source and proper beneficiary of
governing authority; in practice, a government based on majority rule.
politics
The means by which a society settles its conflicts.
Political Thinking and Political Culture:
Becoming a Responsible Citizen
Learning Objectives
Having read the chapter, the students should be able to do each of the following:
Understand political thinking, and what political science can contribute to political
thinking.
Identify the core values underlying American political culture.
Discuss the U.S. immigration policy.
Define government and politics.
Compare and contrast the various types of government.
Demonstrate knowledge of the origins of American democracy.
Describe key ideologies in American politics.
Chapter Outline
I. Learning to Think Politically
A. Obstacles to Political Thinking
B. What Political Science Can Contribute to Political Thinking
II. Political Culture: Americans’ Enduring Beliefs
A. Core Values: Liberty, Individualism, Equality, and Self-Government
, B. The Limits and Power of Americans’ Ideals
III. Politics and Power in America
A. A Democratic System
B. A Constitutional System
C. A Free-Market System
D. Who Governs?
IV. The Text’s Organization
V. Summary
Focus and Main Points
Contemporary American government is placed in historical perspective in this chapter. The
value of political science in examining the development of American politics since the
country’s earliest years is examined briefly, and concepts such as power, pluralism, and
constitutionalism that are central to the study of government and politics are also defined
and discussed. In addition, the value of political thinking and the ability of political science
to help develop political thinking are examined. Several comparisons between the cultural
development of political institutions and financial systems of the United States and Europe
help illustrate the different forms of government and economic organization. The main
points of this chapter are as follows:
The development of political thinking is important for functioning democracies, which
rely on the informed choices of citizens for the formation of government. There are
powerful obstacles to political thinking, such as individual unwillingness to develop
it, changing patterns of media consumption, and “spin” by political leaders. Political
science is a discipline that can help develop political thinking among students and
also lead to a fuller understanding of political phenomena.
Every country has its distinctive political culture, a widely shared and deep-seated
belief system. National identity in many countries is taken from the common
ancestry and kinship they share. Americans are linked not by a shared ancestry but
by the country’s political culture as the foundation of its national identity.
, Politics is the process through which a society settles its conflicts. Those who win in
political conflict are said to have power, and those leaders that have gained the
legitimacy to use that power have authority. The play of politics in the United States
takes place in the context of democratic procedures, constitutionalism, and the free-
market system. Theorists differ in explaining how power is wielded, using elements
of majoritarianism, pluralism, corporate power, and elite rule as explanatory
models.
Politics in the United States is characterized by a widespread sharing of power
through a highly fragmented governing system with extensive checks and balances, a
high degree of pluralism, and an extraordinary emphasis on individual rights.
Chapter Summary
Political thinking is the careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming
knowledgeable views of political developments. Political thinking is a key to responsible
citizenship, but many citizens avoid it by virtue of paying scant attention to politics. The
tools of political science can contribute to effective political thinking.
The United States is a nation that was formed on a set of ideals. Liberty, individualism,
equality, and self-government are foremost among these ideals. These ideals became
Americans’ common bond and today are the basis of their political culture. Although
imperfect in practice, these ideals have guided what generations of Americans have tried to
achieve politically.
Politics is the process by which it is determined whose values will prevail in society. The
basis of politics is conflict over scarce resources and competing values. Those who have
power win out in this conflict and are able to control governing authority and policy
choices. In the United States, no one faction controls all power and policy. Majorities govern
on some issues, while other issues are dominated by groups, elites, corporations,
individuals through legal action, or officials who hold public office.
, Politics in the United States plays out through rules of the game that include democracy,
constitutionalism, and free markets. Democracy is rule by the people, which in practice
refers to a representative system of government in which the people rule through their
elected officials. Constitutionalism refers to rules that limit the rightful power of
government over citizens. A free-market system assigns private parties the dominant role in
determining how economic costs and benefits are allocated.
Major Concepts
political thinking
The careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a
knowledgeable view about a political issue.
political science
The systematic study of government and politics.
political culture
The widely shared and deep-seated political beliefs of a particular people.
liberty
The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided
they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others.
individualism
The idea that people should take the initiative, be self-sufficient, and accumulate the
material advantages necessary for their well-being.
equality
The notion that individuals are equal in their moral worth and thereby entitled to
equal treatment under the law.
self-government
The principle that the people are the ultimate source and proper beneficiary of
governing authority; in practice, a government based on majority rule.
politics
The means by which a society settles its conflicts.
