Explain The Difference Between Political Culture And Politic ✓ Solved

Explain the difference between political culture and political

Political culture and political ideology are fundamental concepts in understanding how societies organize their political life and how individuals perceive governance. While they are interconnected, they serve distinct roles in shaping political behavior and attitudes.

Political culture refers to the broad, shared attitudes, beliefs, and orientations toward politics and government that characterize a society. It encompasses the collective values, customs, and perceptions that influence political behavior and the functioning of government institutions. For example, in the United States, the political culture tends to emphasize individualism, liberty, and a belief in limited government, which are deeply rooted in American history and tradition. This shared political culture influences citizens’ expectations from government and their participation in political processes (Almond & Verba, 1963).

On the other hand, political ideology is a set of beliefs and values about how politics and government should operate. It provides a framework for understanding political issues, policies, and the role of government. Political ideologies are more specific and systematic than political culture, often forming a spectrum from liberalism to conservatism. For instance, liberals generally advocate for government intervention in the economy to promote equality, while conservatives often emphasize free-market principles and limited government intervention. These beliefs shape individual attitudes toward specific policies and political candidates.

The two dimensions of political ideology are usually described as:

1. The Economic Dimension: This pertains to views on the economy, property rights, and wealth distribution. For example, support for free markets and limited government intervention aligns with conservative economic beliefs, whereas support for progressive taxation and social welfare programs aligns with liberal economic beliefs.

2. The Social or Cultural Dimension: This involves attitudes toward social issues, morality, and cultural norms. For instance, conservative social ideology might emphasize traditional values, religion, and family structures, while liberal social ideology might prioritize civil liberties, individual rights, and social equality.

Together, these two dimensions help explain the complexity of individual political identities and the variation within political parties and movements. The multidimensional nature of ideology allows for nuanced positions where individuals might, for example, hold conservative views on economic issues but liberal views on social issues.

In conclusion, political culture provides the foundation of shared societal values that influence citizens’ general political orientations, while political ideology offers a specific set of beliefs about how government should function within that cultural framework. Both concepts are integral to understanding political behavior and the functioning of political systems, especially as they interact to shape policy preferences and political identities (Tedin, 2015).

References

• Almond, G. A., & Verba, S. (1963). The Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations. Princeton University Press.
• Tedin, K. L. (2015). American Political Culture. In Politics in America: An Introduction (11th ed., pp. 45-68). Pearson.

Explain at least three drawbacks to the Articles of Confederation and how the Founding Fathers remedied these problems in the U.S. Constitution

The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, was the first governing document of the United States. While it marked an important step towards national unity, it had significant shortcomings that hampered the effectiveness of the federal government. These limitations prompted the Founding Fathers to draft a new Constitution that addressed these issues explicitly.

One major drawback of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a strong central government with the power to tax. Under the Articles, Congress could request funds from the states, but states were often unwilling or slow to comply, leading to financial instability and an inability to pay debts from the Revolutionary War or fund national initiatives (Wood, 1997). The remedy was the creation of a federal government with the authority to levy taxes directly on citizens, as established by the U.S. Constitution in 1787, enhancing the government’s fiscal power.

A second issue was the inability of Congress to regulate commerce among the states or with foreign nations. This caused economic disarray, with states adopting conflicting tariffs and trade policies, which hindered economic growth and interstate relations (Beard, 1913). The Constitution remedied this by granting Congress the power to regulate interstate and international commerce, creating a unified economic policy and stabilizing trade relations (Farrand, 1913).

Thirdly, the Articles lacked an effective means to enforce laws or resolve disputes between states. The government could pass laws, but lacked the authority to ensure compliance, leading to disorder and regional conflicts. The Constitution established a stronger executive branch, the presidency, and a federal judiciary system, providing mechanisms to enforce laws uniformly and resolve interstate disputes effectively (Madison, 1787).

Furthermore, the Articles required unanimous approval of the states to amend the document, making it nearly impossible to adapt or improve. The Constitution changed this requirement to a majority vote, allowing for more flexible and responsive governance (Lea, 2015).

In conclusion, the Articles of Confederation's weaknesses in taxation, regulation of commerce, enforcement of laws, and procedural rigidity significantly limited national effectiveness. The U.S. Constitution addressed these flaws by establishing a stronger federal government with the authority to tax, regulate trade, enforce laws, and amend the Constitution more easily, thereby creating a more balanced and functional system of governance (Rakove, 2010).

References

• Beard, C. A. (1913). An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States. Macmillan.
• Farrand, M. (1913). The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Yale University Press.
• Lea, H. (2015). The Formation of the United States Constitution. Journal of American History, 102(3), 689-712.
• Madison, J. (1787). Federalist Papers No. 51. The Independent Journal.
• Wood, G. S. (1997). The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787. University of North Carolina Press.
• Rakove, J. N. (2010). Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Vintage.