Day 2 1/26/2010

"Presidents are only as powerful as they are popular" Political Culture: Set of values statements or beliefs that majority of people agree with Examples of US's Political Culture ? Popular Sovereignty: The power or legitimacy of government to exist based on the people, ex. right to vote ? Majority Rule: Can never get everyone to agree so the wining person or opinion of elections, the one who gets the most votes, all agree to follow ? Minority Rights: "Liberties" that can't be taken away examples of this are found in the Bill of Rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion ? Equality in both Social (ability to sit anywhere on a bus and eat at any restaurant) and Economic (Everyone gets a fair chance to work hard and make it) ? Individualism- work hard and you deserve to reap the benefits ? Limited Government- "Government that governs least governs best" Liberals want more government but all can agree that the governments needs to have limits ? Safety and Security all should feel safe especially in their own home, Homeland security created after 9-11 to fend off further terrorist acts ? Diversity- Unlike every other country we don't have a dominant ethnic culture or background ? Due Process- No one is above the law, presumption of innocence until guilt is proven, everyone has the right to a fair trial, can't be forced to testify against yourself, punishment to fit the crime etc. ? Free Market Problem is that many of these compete with eachother ? Due Process vs. Safety and Security- 2001 when the government wanted to monitor conversations to protect against terrorists with no warrant ? Individualism vs. Safety and Security- Health Care Peoples Basis of Political Belief System ? Political Ideology- left right continuum with the right believing government government should be small and only be involved in police type issues left believing government should be larger and involved in all interactions, the U.S. is in a bell curve leaning towards the middle ? Party Identification- US largely a 2 Party System only about 25% of US says it doesn't align with either party, The Founding Fathers didn't want political parties