cultrural theoretical approach

Question 1

what is the cultural approach

Answer 1

focuses on ideas
eg political, social, economical and religious ideas - all consist of shared beliefs and attitudes which influence people’s perceptions
it suggests that shared ideas, beliefs and values can often determine the actions of an individual and groups

Question 2

what are drawbacks of cultural approach

Answer 2

you can identify with the majority of views of a group but that doesnt mean people should make generalisations and assume people agree with everything the group stands for

this is because there are complex sub cultures within groups

Question 3

cultural approach when comparing constitutions

Answer 3

• cultural history of us con and bill of rights shows intent of founding fathers to limit the concentration of power which was in reaction to the british oppressive rule which they had escaped whereas in uk it was a gradual product of diff culture where the monarchy has been consistently restored through royal assent
• BOTH have cultural expectations but diff ones; US are expected to know their rights and con because of the education system whereas in the uk it is much hazier to the understanding and people are very happy to leave parl to get on with changing the constitution

Question 4

cultural approach when comparing legislative branches
differences

Answer 4

• republican more persuaded by liberalism with a larger state and intervention in the economy whereas republicans like neo liberalism with a small state and socially conservative; this effects the type of leg oasses and makes it hard to be bipartisan. in the uk they are also driven by cultural ideology but less polarised eg cons are more pragmatic than repub and likes tradition and neo conservatism whereas labour draws on third way for its traditions

Question 5

cultural approach when comparing legislative branches
similarities

Answer 5

• uk commons more dominant because elected so more legislation begins there and lords has less power. the senate is culturally more important than house of reps because founding fathers wanted a state where power was separated so the senate has has special role to check the power of the exec that the house doesnt have