In week 4, we study government as a social institution and its connection with social inequality in American society. The sources of power and authority in politics are examined, the major types of governments are reviewed, and the social patterns of political behavior are outlined. Competing models of democratic governance are compared and the ingredients of political culture associated with stable liberal democracies are sketched. We end the week connectingchanges in the U.S. economy, the power of the U.S. financial industry, and political campaign finance laws, with the state of U.S. democracy.

In a book titled Developing Democracy, Larry Diamond identified several aspects of political culture that influence the development and stability of liberal democracies. Review Diamond’s list of the cultural aspects supporting liberal democracies. Then watch two videos segment identified in the sidebar: a 1986 interview with sociologist William Domhoff on the U.S. power structure and a March 2012 interview with former U.S. Senator Dorgan on the U.S. financial crisis and American government.

Taking into account Diamond’s list, the Domhoff/Dorgan interviews above, and all the readings for the week, respond to the following underlined question and statement below.

1. Of all the ingredients of political culture correlated with stable liberal democracies, as identified by Diamond, which one does the U.S. need to improve upon the most and explain in some detail, why?

2. Identify a new ingredient of political culture that should be added to Diamond’s list that would significantly strengthen US liberal democracy and explain in some detail, why.

This assignment is not asking for an assessment of how well the U.S. Constitution formally fits with Diamond’s correlates or for the fit between Diamond’s correlates and how the U.S. is supposed to be governed.

This is a group panel presentation assignment for group4. It is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, during class.

Please review the rubric for group panel presentations and discussions before you begin working on your response.

Note: Keep in mind that the weekly blog post and any embedded material therein, is within the universe of material that could be included in our Weekly Quiz.

Diamonds Ingredients
1. Tolerance for opposing beliefs & cultural differences.

2. Pragmatism & flexibility, as opposed to rigid &ideological approaches to politics.

3. Commitment to democratic procedural norms, over substantive policy objectives.

4. Trust in other political actors and in the socialenvironment.

5. Willingness to compromise.

6. Civility of political discourse & respect for views of others.

7. Skeptical, responsible questioning of authority.

8. The legitimacy of democracy in principle & as the best system for one’s country now.

9. Political efficacy; that citizen political action may change policies or redress grievances.
Diamond’s Cultural Correlates of Stable Liberal Democracies
In Larry Diamond’s book Developing Democracy, he summarizes his research on the cultural “correlates” of
stable liberal democracies. The meaning of “liberal” in this context does not refer to the counter-point of
“conservative.” Instead, it refers to a kind of government that claims to be guided by principles protecting
the rights and freedoms of individuals against abusive state powers, decision-making by representative
electoral democracy, a constitution that separates the powers of government, and other familiar themes.
The ideological roots of liberal democracy comes from the “Age of Enlightenment” intellectuals who criticized
the traditional values and authority of 18th century European monarchs, aristocrats, and the Church, with the
tools of reason and science. The American and French revolutions espoused the ideals of the
Enlightenment and the attempt to embed these ideals into a form of government became known as the
pursuit of “liberal democracy.” LIberal democracy is the most common form of political governance claimed
by governments throughout the world.
Diamond’s more specific description of eleven components of liberal democracies is below.
1. Control of the state lies with elected officials,
not democratically unaccountable actors like the
military or foreign powers.
2. Executive power of government is constrained
constitutionally and in fact by other government
institutions.
3. Electoral outcomes are uncertain; significant
opposition votes; a presumption of party
alternation, and party formation rights exist.
4. Minority groups are free to express their
interests.
5. Citizens have multiple channels for expression
and representation of interests and values.
6. Alternative sources of information exist.
7. Freedom of speech, publication, assembly,
demonstration, and petition.
8. Citizens are politically equal under the law.
9. Individual and group liberties are protected by
an independent judiciary.
10. Law protects citizens from unjustified
detention, torture.
11. A belief in the supremacy of a constitution
which checks political authority, protects
individual and minority rights, and assures the
rule of law.
Diamond’s core thesis is that stable liberal democracies are associated with and require a certain kind of
“political culture.” Political culture is defined as “a people’s predominant beliefs, attitudes, values, ideals,
sentiments, and evaluations of the political system of their country, as well as the role of the self in that
system.” Diamond’s focus is not targeted on people’s evaluation of their political system, relative to their
values regarding how it should operate. Rather, his focus is on people’s norms and values regarding
political action and the political system, which support the development and maintenance of liberal
democracies.