The American View

“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents….” –James Madison

 
Nineteenth-century historian Alexis de Tocqueville once observed, “Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality.  But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.”

 

Tocqueville was commenting on liberty and free enterprise, American style, versus socialism as envisioned by emerging protagonists of centralized state governments.  And he saw on the horizon a looming threat – a threat that would challenge the freedoms writ in the blood and toil of our nation's Founders.
 
The American political culture that Tocqueville described in the 1830s has changed over the years, but in many ways, it has remained remarkably the same, even after the content was settled coast to coast.  The American view has been characterized by several familiar elements:

• LIBERTY:  Most people believe in the right to be free, as long as another's rights are not abused.
• EQUALITY:  This generally translates as "equality of opportunity," not absolute equality.
• DEMOCRACY:  Elected officials are accountable to the people.  Citizens have the responsibility to choose their officials thoughtfully and wisely.
• INDIVISUALISM:  The individual's rights are valued above those of the state (government); individual initiative and responsibility are strongly encouraged.
• THE RULE OF LAW:  Government is based on a body of law applied equally and fairly, not on the whims of a ruler.
• NATIONALSM:  Despite some current negative attitudes toward the government, most Americans are proud of our past and tend to de-emphasize problems, such as intolerance or military setbacks.  This value includes the belief that we are stronger and more virtuous than other nations.
• CAPITALISM:  At the heart of the American Dream are beliefs in the rights to own private property and compete freely in open markets with as little government involvement as possible.

Famous events from American history - the movement west, the Civil Ware, the Industrial Revolution, involvement in World Wars I and II, the New Deal and the Great Society - have been expressions of American political culture.  Many events have questioned and answered various interpretations of American values and beliefs.  But most of all, the political culture defines political attitudes, institutions and activities that are most cherished in American political life.

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Source:  ushistory.org