Politics
rita2013
american_regime.pptxThe United States
Introduction to Comparative Politics:
Chapter 3
Dr. Fernandez
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Learning Objectives
Identify the cultural, social and political influences on the development of a weak state
Identify the causes of the development of American exceptionalism and its influence on the American regime
Identify contributions of American political thought to democratic thought and the American regime
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American Exceptionalism
Weak state
Rugged Invidualism and Work Ethic
Egalitarianism, Low deference to traditional authority
Religious beliefs with Separation of Church and State
Patriotism
Low Participation and Distrust of Government
American creed
3
The Weak American State
4
Checks and Balances
Federalism
Culture
Bill of Rights and Enumerated Powers
Weak State
Time Line of U.S. Political Development
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1607-1776
1776-1789
Establishment of American Regime and State
Foundations of American Culture and Society
1803-1860’s
Landed Expansion, the Mexican American War and the Civil War
1875-1930
Industrialization, the development of laissez faire and the Weak state
1930-1970’s
The rise of the interventionist state-the Great Depression, WW2 and the Great Society
1970’s to 2008
Neoliberalism and the return to a weak state
Political Parties in the U.S.
| Post Civil War | Depression and World War 2 | |
| Republicans | Laissez faire capitalism with progressive policies to moderate capitalism. Party of business, farmers, freed slaves | Laissez faire capitalism, protection from international trade. Defend corporations from the New Deal reforms. (eg. Less progressive income taxes. Lower corporate rates, support for business). |
| Democrats | Party of “outs” ethnic immigrants, labor movement, urban African Americans. Limit the negative effects of capitalism on the outs | Reform capitalism by expanding government role in managing business cycles and expanding labor and consumer rights and protections. |
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Political Parties in the U.S.
| Post WW 2 -1960’s | Late 1970’s to today |
| Reform capitalism, but slow the rate of growth of government influence over the economy. Appeal to western farmers, small business and large manufacturing corporation. Party of free trade. | Traditional values (self reliance, pragamatism can do attitudes) and Neo liberalism—deregulation, lower taxes and privatize government functions. With New Right, Republicans place a greater focus on cultural issues. Americans divided and more contentious |
| Reform capitalism and increase the rate of growth of government influence over the economy. Agree on free trade (but support for labor requires more strings). Pursue new public purposes through regulation of the corporation: ( group rights ) affirmative action, school integration, equal opportunity for women and environmental regulations. The big tent gets smaller. Appeal to coalition of African Americans, women, young (anti Viet nam war movement) and middle class professionals, urban secular voters | Adopt elements of neo-liberalism. Adopt the Third way. This means-Reform the welfare state but keep it to protect the outs (new groups now include Latinos, minorities and new groups such as gays and lesbians) |
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