Political Culture and Ideology Overview Political scientist Robert Putnam discusses America's political culture in terms of the loss of social capital . Civic or social capital is reflected in the networks, norms, and social trust that lead social organizations to cooperate for mutual benefit. However, in this contemporary debate both sides agree that there is an important link between the culture of a society and its political orientations. The United States prides itself on its political culture, which is pragmatic and non-ideological. However, ideology and values still come to the forefront when divisive issues arise.
Issues become divisive when it is difficult to reconcile American values.
The 1995 decision of the University of California Board of Regents to end affirmative action was such a divisive issue, discussed at the outset of this chapter. Although Americans support both individualism and equality of opportunity at a general cultural level, in particular policies such as affirmative action, the American cultural consensus can split apart. Beliefs, such as the belief in the Bill of Rights, are often honored more in principle than in specific practical circumstances. The shared values that characterize American political culture include belief in individualism, equality of opportunity, patriotism, government help for those in true need, reverence for God, the sanctity of the family, and distrust of government and of large corporations. In fact, these values can be traced all the way back to the Enlightenment and the Judeo-Christian heritage.