The textbook identifies four characteristics of ideal citizenship and concludes that only some Americans live up to them. The authors argue, however, that Americans as a group behave in a much more rational manner than one would expect from their failure to meet the characteristics. Name the four characteristics and discuss the evidence for the authors’ conclusion that most Americans do not meet the standards. Explain how Americans as a group can behave so rationally if they are not rational as individuals

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The four characteristics include being attentive and informed, holding reasoned and stable opinions, being tolerant, and participating in politics. Ample evidence indicates that, when questioned, most Americans display little knowledge about politics or political figures. Americans display support for general freedom of speech, religion, and political equality. However, they display less tolerance when asked to apply these principles to specific groups. Americans vote at a much lower rate than do citizens of other democracies. Despite these findings, Americans use certain mechanisms to increase their ability to respond as if they are knowledgeable and interested. Students should identify and define on-line processing and the two-step flow of information. In terms of the latter, they also need to discuss opinion leaders. These concepts can be used to argue that the collective behavior of citizens is more rational than the individual characteristics would lead one to expect.