1. THIS MORNING:
1. American political culture and its effects on policy, capacity, and democracy
1. The power of ideas.
2. Components of the public philosophy, general-welfare liberalism



2. THE POWER OF IDEAS:
1. A public "philosophy" dominates politics in the United States.
1. This philosophy, which I call general-welfare liberalism, consists of a set of interconnected ideas, beliefs, values, and attitudes that dominates public policy making.
1. It crowds out competing ideas to the detriment of political discourse and enlightened understanding.
2. The public philosophy has several consequences:
1. Understanding this philosophy is essential for understanding American government.
2. It determines what kinds of policies will and will not be pursued.
3. It "justifies" the surprisingly tight bond between government and the economy.
4. It limits American democracy and political capacity.
3. "General-welfare liberalism" consists of two strands, "classical" liberalism and mixed feelings about active government.



3. THE LIBERALISM COMPONENT:
1. American interpretation of classical liberalism
2. Liberalism's components:
1. Equality in the abstract
1. Denial of social class
2. Individual political rights and liberties
1. Humans have natural, inalienable rights that can be known
2. Property rights
1. Note as an aside rights have been extended to abstract entities such as corporations.
3. Unwavering faith and trust in:
1. Individualism
1. The American dream
2. Mobility is possible
3. Hence, distrust of poor and welfare programs
2. Rationality
3. Technology as a solution to public (collective) problems.
4. Optimism and progress
5. Economic growth will solve collective problems
4. Limited government and distrust of public (i.e., governmental) power
1. Central government is to be distrusted, even feared.
2. State and local government preferable
5. Misunderstanding of the difference between public and private power
3. "Hubris" "... the greatest nation on earth."
4. Tone: pragmatism or practical thinking
5. Main proposition: belief and faith in these ideas shapes public policy process and content.
1. Welfare reform rests to a large extent on these beliefs.



4. THE GENERAL-WELFARE COMPONENT:
1. There is now agreement that the national government manage the economy to lessen, if not eliminate, depressions, recessions and inflation.
2. But more is involved than making life bearable for the average citizen.
1. There is a very specific way the U.S. government and private economic actors, especially large ones, work together to attempt to achieve growth with social harmony
3. Proposition: policy making in is dominated by corporate-government partnership.
4. Goals of this partnership:
1. Promote economic growth but not redistribute wealth.
2. Maintain social peace, especially by managing
1. Labor-management conflict
2. Corporate-citizen conflict
3. Legitimize the economic and social order.



5. NEXT TIME:
1. Capitalism and the state
2. The consitution
3. Reading:
1. Course web site: Reserve Room
1. All the articles and essays under Public Philosophy, except one dealing with automobiles.
2. The " Declaration of Independence"

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