Civic Culture in the United States

Tocqueville  wrote: "The religious atmosphere of the country was the first thing that struck me on arrival in the United States." (p. 295 of Lawrence-Mayer ed.) See here for relevant data.


In June 2006, Barack Obama gave an important speech on religion in politics, which the textbook quotes on page 140. See prepared text here.


The president's remarks at 2012  National Prayer Breakfast:






Individualism and Religion

• Distrust of government
• Regulation of business
• Health care
• Comparative data on individualism and religion

Evolution

• Comparative data on evolution.
• A closer look at US attitudes on evolution.

Patriotism

• Winthrop's "City on a Hill"
• The Great Seal of the United States
• The Liberty Bell
• The national motto, "In God We Trust"
• Pledge of Allegiance (... see old salute)
• Early Thanksgiving Proclamations

Charity and Service

• Giving statistics:

• Comparative data on giving
• Volunteering in the United States
• And note where Americans volunteer