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5: Politics

The opening anecdote describes a graduate student from Mexico who was interested in the US political system, but had little luck in engaging his American classmates in discussions about the recent election and came to the conclusion that Americans do not care much about politics. This is a common perception among foreigner visitors.

As previously mentioned, politics is a topic that many Americans consider to be taboo - it is not discussed causally, publicly, and with casual acquaintances. Unless a foreigner forms a close friendship with an American, he will have little success engaging Americans in political discourse. It is not that Americans lack political awareness or have no opinions on the matter, merely that it is culturally inappropriate to discuss them in most circumstances.

Americans have a great deal of pride in their political system and a near-religious reverence for the theory of government as described in their constitution and the writings of the "founding fathers." However, most do not track current events and are not active in political matters - they believe in individual freedom, and expect that their system protects it, but seem generally apathetic about the day-to-day operations of their government.

Paradoxically, most Americans have a negative view of politics and politicians. They believe the system to be good, but the people who operate within it to be self-interested and devious. This distrust extends to government employees, whom Americans perceive to be shiftless and lazy - even though they usually receive competent service from government employees.

The administrative branch of government, particularly government agencies, are the cause of greatest concern - such agencies are operated by appointed rather than elected officers, and are able to act without the checks and balances that keep legislature fro running amok. Some agencies are seen as being entirely efficient, others les so.

It's noted that most foreigners deal with the Department of Homeland Security, which deals with immigration and customs. It's worth noting that Americans perceive the DHS to be among the most inefficient of government agencies.

Their primary concern is that government could become too strong and thereby endanger citizens' freedoms, and as such the inefficiency and partisan bickering are of minor concern. They acknowledge the that the separation of powers, checks and balances, and two-party system are counterproductive and prevent government from being able to do much - which is a good thing, as a government that doesn't do much cannot do much harm. That government should be restricted in its use of power is of greater value than a government able to do things.

Americans feel free to criticize their own political leaders and system of government, in ways that seem excessively harsh to foreigners. (EN: A personal experience with a visitor from a Muslim nation who was shocked by a news commentary: "in my country, a person would be put to death for saying such things.") but at the same time, they become defensive when the same are criticized by foreign visitors.

The author distills the American cultural approach to politics to three major topics: the believe in the "rule of law," maintain that compromise is necessary to achieve the common good, and they see politics as something that is separate from other aspects of life.

THE RULE OF LAW

The "rule of law" is the belief that impartial laws, not arbitrary human beings, should for the basis of government. While laws are written by people, it is through a process of debate that ensures fairness rather than partiality. And while laws are enforced by people, Americans are tried by a jury of their peers, and any judicial decision is subject to appeal.

Another common notion is that no person is above the law. Americans maintain that laws must apply to all people, regardless of their wealth, personal connections, or station in life. Preferential treatment given to celebrities or political insiders is a source of public outrage.

Politicians, especially, are expected to operate within the law. Violation of law by any government official results in demands for their removal from public office. Even the President, who is considered to hold the highest political office, can be removed from office (Richard Nixon) or formally impeached (William Clinton).

Government procedures, while not as formal as laws, are also subject to the same standard. Getting a job with a government agency, containing a government research grant, or being awarded a government contract are all subject to intense scrutiny and formal procedures.

In practice, things such as wealth and influence do matter where laws and rules are concerned. A wealthy person accused of a crime stands a better chance of being acquitted and a person with political connections is better able to get a government grant or a high-salaried government job. But in general, Americans believe that these are exceptions, and that the rule of law largely prevails.

COMPROMISE

A compromise is a settlement of differences in which both parties make some concessions to the others side in order to reach a mutually-acceptable agreement.

Americans are taught to accept that this is an acceptable resolution to resolving disagreements, though there are differing opinions on what constitutes an acceptable level of compromise - but it is generally perceived that an agreement that meets "in the middle" generally consists of the aspects that are acceptable to both parties, and that extreme on unreasonable points of view are pared away in the negotiation process.

Other cultures may not share the assumption that compromise is good, and cultures concerned with power and dominance regard compromise a sign of weakness, dishonesty about one's motivations, or abandoning one's principles.

(EN: The notion of compromise extends outside the political realm to negotiations of various kinds, including those common in business. There is much to be said on this topic, and it would require lengthy consideration - so I'll leave it at that, expecting the author may return to this topic later, or that the reader will need to consult an external source for more information on negotiations outside of the political realm.)

POLITICS APART

Americans believe that politics can be separated from other aspects of life. They will relate to other people without regard to differences in political opinions, and avoid the topic of politics altogether as a means of preventing differences of political opinion from interfering in their relationships.

This may seem strange or naive to people from other nations - most Latin Americans, Europeans, Middle Easterners, and Africans do not see politics as separable. A quote from a Peruvian writer is given: "Politics is everything and everything is politics ... you cannot eradicate politics from life."

Americans maintain the opposite, and the believe that politics have nothing to do with their daily lives is a belief that underlies the low rate of participation in politics. Most American citizens doe not register to vote, and seldom turn up at the polls, especially when the election is local rather than national.

This is not a universal sentiment, and some Americans are politically active. They express opinions in public forums, contribute to and volunteer to work for political parties and candidates, and join or support organizations that support a given law or policy. Some even run for office themselves. (EN: The author does not assess this, and I count it can be accurately assessed, but my sense is that the number of Americans who are politically active are fewer and less fervent than the number who are avid sorts fans. In fact, I suspect there to be significant overlap between the two.)

Generally, Americans will get involved in politics only when they need or want a decision from a government body. In such instances, they are likely to write their elected representatives - and politicians generally employ staff whose job is to receive, respond tom, and report upon inbound correspondence from constituents.

FUNDAMENTAL FAULT LINES IN AMERICAN POLITICS

One of the main divides that gives rise to debate over political issues is a struggle between those who expect the government to uphold existing law (particularly the Constitution and Bill of Rights) and those that wish to amend existing law to suit current interests.

One example given is the debate over the "ground zero" mosque, with one faction maintaining the constitutional principle of freedom of religion, and the other faction seeking to prevent the construction on grounds that it was insensitive to the dignity of those who had lost family in the attacks.

(EN: Since the author gives only one example, it's probably important to stress that the division he draws is independent of political parties - a partisan may argue in favor of preserving constitutional law in one issue, and arguing against it on another. The point, which may be lost in the specific issue named, is that debate is enflamed when constitutional law is involved, one way or the other.)

Another fundamental divide is over a person's believe in the proper role of government - fundamentally, whether law and government should be brought to bear in any specific aspect of public life. It is generally accepted that the more a government does for a people, the less those people are able - or permitted - to do for themselves. And there is great debate over where this border should be drawn. A few examples are provided:

In general, individuals who favor a smaller role of government are labeled "conservative" or "right-wing" - and the Republican party claims this position in most debates. Meanwhile, those favoring a larger role are labeled "liberal" or "left wing" and this position is claimed by the Democratic party. However, the author suggests visitors should be cautions of these labels, as they are broad generalizations and often highly politicized.

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