1. why it is important
   1. the political culture defines political attitudes, institutions, and activities that are most cherished in American political life.
   2. Every country has a POLITICAL CULTURE — widely shared beliefs, values, and norms that define the relationship between citizens and government, and citizens to one another. Beliefs about economic life are part of the political culture because politics affects economics. A good understanding of a country's political culture can help make sense of the way a country's government is designed, as well as the political decisions its leaders make. For example, why does Great Britain still have a queen? She doesn't have any real political power, so why don't they just end the monarchy? These questions can be puzzling, unless you understand something about the British political culture — one that highly prizes tradition.
2. Why does our system of government work for us better than for almost anyone else?
   1. Alexis de Tocqueville identified during the 1830s. abundant and fertile land, countless opportunities for people to acquire land and make a living, lack of a feudal aristocracy that blocked the ambitious, and the independent spirit encouraged by frontier living.
3. American view
   1. Liberty
   2. Equality
   3. Democracy
   4. Individualism
   5. the rule of law
   6. nationalism
   7. capitalism
      1. private perty & open market