Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


ucin1204053177.pdf (649.96 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

THE IMPACT OF INDIVIDUALISM ON POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

WALLS, STEPHANIE M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1204053177

Abstract Details

2008, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Political Science.
This dissertation attempts to find a new explanation for political and community disengagement that complements the existing research on the topic. The American tradition of individualism, which has been significant in recognizing and protecting individual rights, is singled out and critically examined for ways in which it could be leading citizens to disengage from their communities and the political process. This is a departure from previous research that has focused logistical concerns and external conflicts as the leading causes of disengagement. The primary causes discussed herein are ideological in nature, thereby suggesting internal factors. The United States Constitution is strongly rooted in classical liberalism. It has a commitment to liberal ideals of limited government, consent and individualism, and these ideals have been applied to all areas of American life—political, economic and social—with varying degrees of success. The liberal ideal that has come into the most conflict with the principles of democracy and self-government, however, is individualism. The American political system requires the involvement of the people, and the liberal need for a limited government requires a neighborly concern for others in society. Unfortunately, individualism leads people away from both of these requirements by providing the justification and rationale for non-participation. Factor analyses of national datasets from the years 1960-2004 demonstrate a consistent relationship between individualistic attitudes and participation. The resulting factor scores consistently explain significant portions of the variance in other individualistic and communalistic attitudes and behaviors. Additionally, content analyses of elite discourse uncover consistent differences between the major parties’ use of individualist rhetoric in platforms and State of the Union addresses over the same period. Despite these successes, neither the factor analyses nor the content analyses provide evidence of a trend toward increased individualism over the 1960-2004 time period. This paper concludes with new thoughts and strategies for moving this research forward.
Michael Margolis (Advisor)
157 p.
Political Science, General
Individualism; Political Participation; Community Participation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • WALLS, S. M. (2008). THE IMPACT OF INDIVIDUALISM ON POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1204053177

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • WALLS, STEPHANIE. THE IMPACT OF INDIVIDUALISM ON POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. 2008. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1204053177.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • WALLS, STEPHANIE. "THE IMPACT OF INDIVIDUALISM ON POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1204053177

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1204053177
4,911
© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.