The Basics of American Government 3E

Summary

Maria J. Albo and Barry D. Friedman

In every nation, people are subjected to a process that political scientists and sociologists refer to as political socialization. Through this process, children are coaxed into embracing the belief that the political system is legitimate, and the learn how to be participants in the political system. In the United States, children learn to show respect for the American flag and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and their parents and teachers exhort them to recognize the legitimacy of government officials and institutions that make and enforce laws. Mechanisms of political socialization endeavor to reinforce these behaviors and beliefs throughout adulthood. There is significant evidence that the political socialization cues to which affluent children are exposed differ from those to which working class children are exposed: Affluent children are guided to participate and lead, while working class children are geared toward passivity and compliance. Hence, the political socialization process has the additional effect of restraining the social forces that might otherwise disturb the existence of significant economic inequity.

American Patriotism

As Americans we are not really all that different from one another.

Political socialization process is very successful in deeply rooting a sense of universal pride and emotional attachment to the United States .

Universal American values include:

• belief in political equality
• the value of individual freedoms
• the mandate of consent of the governed
• faith in the free enterprise system

However, there is evidence that Americans are becoming more polarized. According to the Pew Research Center, “Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines – and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive – than at any point in the last two decades. These trends manifest themselves in myriad ways, both in politics and in everyday life. And a new survey of 10,000 adults nationwide finds that these divisions are greatest among those who are the most engaged and active in the political process.”