Fowler Chapter Four

The Political System and Political Culture

We have a distinctive political system-- "clumsier" than parliamentary system, which is still considered to be more efficient.

pg. 63-- Political culture- particular pattern of orientation to political action in which a political system is embedded

Federalism-- several governments share sovereign powers among themselves.  It's a pendulum over time where more power is given to states than the federal government and vice versa.  With new federalism, "the overall effect...was to reduce the relative importance of the federal government in education policymaking, while increasing the relative importance of the states" (pg. 69)

--Although states normally give power to local school districts for education policy implementation and curriculum-- sometimes, state governments step in to take over for floundering school districts.  Of course, when the state gives money to local districts, they want to know where the money goes.  This struck a chord with what Kelly Hastings said (from Lou Baretta's office).  One of her complaints about Race for the Top is that money was given to states without having to account for it back with the federal government.

--Competition among governance bodies-- everyone wants money and power and will jockey to get more.  What else is new?

Elections- this compared the US (in constant state of election) to Parliamentary systems (elected officials serve as long as their party has public support).  I don't know which one is better-- I guess parliamentary systems make the party stronger than any individual-- do officials have to stay directly along party lines to stay in favor?
--Windows of opportunity- often with a change of administration there is an opportunity for innovative policy.  Know this will happen if Romney is elected-- what/will anything change if Obama is re-elected?  Networking is key-- taking advantage of windows of opportunity

Three political cultures (can be grouped by states in general but always pockets of different groups in an individual state)

• Individualistic
• dominant in south
• ambivalence toward market and unrestrained commercial enterprise
• government positive source in society
• local elite involved
• Moralistic
• New England
• favor activist government
• believe education is part of the common good
• also seen in college towns, more educated communities
• Traditionalistic  
• Mid Atlantic
• politics is a type of marketplace-- businesslike, pragmatic, economic orientation