EL SALVADOR UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF JURISPRUDENCE AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

ENGLISH IV

CONTENT:

AMERICAN DEMOCRACY CHAPTER 1: AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE

TEACHER´S:

LICDA. BERTA PORTILLO

GROUP WORK:

CÁCERES PONCE, RODRIGO CP13021

FERNÁNDEZ LEYTON, ATLACATL FL14003

JOYA SERRANO, JOSUÉ MANUEL JS13013

LEVEL OF STUDY:

"FIFTH YEAR OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS"

SEMESTER II-2018 GROUP: 03

University City, September 10th, 2018

 American Democracy Chapter 1
American Political Culture: Seeking a More Perfect Union

Abstract

This report is mainly based on establishing the most important characteristics of

American Political Culture, describing how the construction of this nation has been
given since its birth in 1776, after an abrupt war with the United Kingdom. The United
States, is formed by people from different countries among them, countries of
Europe, Asia and Africa, they began as settlers within the thirteen colonies and
began to expand after various battles and people with an ideal to follow their
Customs, these to achieve stability in the country sought a common link established
in the unity they could establish between them.

Then, with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, including the
various amendments that have been made, principles were established among them
the fundamental values of freedom and equality and others that are ideal related
between them that of individualism, unity and diversity; Since the country is not
constituted by natives themselves that they are only 1% of the population, but that
they are surpassed numerically by immigrants.

But these ideals also have limits, because throughout the history of the United
States, it has been seen that mainly the settlers are those who benefited from these
principles, but the people of color suffered much mainly with the slavery that
prevailed in That time and despite the abolition of this, even people of different
nationality over of freedom and equality within the country. Also, within the country,
it is important to know different concepts that relate to their cultural policy as
government and mainly power.

In addition, it is important in this report to take as main points the rules of the policy
game, which influences democracy, constitutionalism and capitalism. Also taking
into account the theories of power and known mainly what is related to the concept
of political system. With all the above it will be essential to make a comparison and
contrast with the Salvadoran society, to see and understand if we have had an
influence of American culture.
 Salvadorean politics are not so different than American Politics
Salvadorean politics are very special, or very “American” as we could say. Based on
how salvadorean development has been, we will notice that although we live in a
different country with totally different opportunities, this little place could be
considered as a tiny USA. In fact, the bond that USA and El Salvador share is so
big, that in this essay you will notice these similarities and differences, based on the
core principles of each country’s politics. Also, which theory of power best describes
the countries. Finally, a contrast will be made about the importance that USA and El
Salvador give to the core values individually. Nevertheless, it is your task to
determine wether we have one “America” or two.

Politics can be defined as the relations of power among nations, to create

understanding and cooperation. But, as it is known by everyone, politics have always
been related to power in a different manner, instead of cooperation, it is based on
taking advantage of others to become more powerful. This enhanced power is not
only managed or given by words, but by influence both military and economic.
Throughout history, nations have become more and more powerful based on their
economic growth and the influence they have over certain parts of the world, same
influence that was obtained by wars of domination. Nowadays, these “great powers”
as we call powerful countries, decide the changes of many things in the world, which
includes the direct or indirect influence on small countries’ decisions, including
surprisingly the political behavior. This last word “behavior” is the key to begin with
the first comparison, each country has its own behavior based on what we call “Core
Principles”. These are the ones that give a shape to the countries, and they are
managed differently by each one. The differences among countries are related to
the way they manage the core principles, so let us show how this is done by United
States and El Salvador.

Constitutionalism is known as the set of rules that restrict the lawful uses of power.
As experienced by all people living in United States, law enforcement is very tough.
The respect given to the law is what maintains the so-called “American dream”, as it
keeps everyone controlled and prevents possible trouble-makers. This principle was
created to lead countries to a common benefit of the majority, but this could also be
dangerous if taken to an extreme interpretation. According to news videos from
American channels, many harassment cases have been presented to the courts due
to the abuse of law enforcers, specially to racial minorities, stating that all actions
were taken due to the circumstances. In some cases, death has been the witness of
these abuses, as cops have killed people because of felonies that we not even real,
just a simple misunderstanding because of social prejudice. These cases are more
common in poor areas, usually related to Afro-Americans or Latins on their daily
chores and cops abusing them for a cultural matter. This leads to courts wasting
resources on unnecessary cases.

On the other hand, constitutionalism is not looking so bright in El Salvador, as United

States in this country law enforcement can become very functional. Many
governmental institutions have been created to assign special teams to assure law
enforcement in all different areas and situations in society. However, Salvadorean
law enforcement is not as good as American, as there are many ways to avoid or
surpass the law. Without going too far, transit rules are not respected by everyone,
or more specifically by most of the salvadoreans. From not paying attention to traffic
signs, to going full speed in a traffic light showing red, salvadoreans seem not to
care about transit rules. Also, by the requirements of having a driver’s license or
having car insurance. People does not understand that driving is a privilege and not
a right. And that causing accidents knowing you do not have money to pay for the
damage, is the main cause why it should be mandatory to have car insurance.

Besides that, Democracy or “the power of the people” is the right of the population
to make the decisions that lead the countries. In United States democracy is similar
than in El Salvador, as democracy is not literal, it is imaginary. People believe that
they are being heard by the politicians, but the real decisions are taken by the
powerful ones, company owners, etc. Nonetheless, that is in a general matter, in a
certain city or county, a people’s movement may create, modify or cancel a law or
statement that is not providing positive outcomes to the population. It is very variable
within the different states as every state has its own internal laws that regulate
specially its own territory. Some states have a very flexible democracy which allows
the people to unite, and the governor or major makes sure people know about how
to make the laws better. But, in some other states they make sure the people are
not informed so they can make decisions without having to ask people as they know
may not bring benefits to anyone but themselves. This makes Unites States behave
like a human body, as many different internal laws fulfil their function, and this
contributes to a greater good, which is making the country a better place to live.

When it comes to El Salvador, everything is different about democracy. Democracy

is shown in major and presidential elections, making everyone vote. As this may
seem similar to the american way, in this place democracy is a lie that is being sold
by every political party in a different way. The government is not transparent and
provides democracy for the powerful. Regardless of the winner of the elections,
nothing has changed in the last 25 years, people are still getting underpaid and
having problems with being considered when law modifications are made. This is a
democracy without democracy, where the population is taken into consideration
when the next elections are around the corner. As soon as the new presidential
period begins, they forget about the people that led them there. Salvadoreans will
be doomed until they start to make changes by themselves, instead of waiting for
someone else to make them.

The last core principle among these two is Capitalism, the rules that currently rule
the world, it is the set of rules that regulate the way society is configured,
economically. United States is known as the innovator that brought this new
configuration to the world, but also as the one that took advantage of it since the
beginning. A new configuration that programs the society to keep spending more
and more in unnecessary things, that will rapidly become obsolete to make you buy
another one. United States is one of the greatest powers of the world thanks to
capitalism, as it managed to have branches of thousands of companies all around
the world. This has made USA economically powerful and has obtained great
benefits from each country in return of “bringing diversification and innovation” with
each branch and investment it provides. This is a condition that most of countries
don’t have, which is vital to have a great political influence. Although, this usually
bad consequences in long term to the smaller countries as it makes them more
consumerist. But, USA does not care as long as it gets more money and power.

In the case of El Salvador, capitalism is not something good. As this new “trend”
started it started growing debts to try to develop a great productive sector, but this
never happened. Now the country owes a lot of money and to get “benefits” it allowed
lots of american companies, including department stores and restaurants. El
Salvador got into the consumerism problem and made it even worse. Over
consumerism is what can be inferred in this case, as people spends way more
money than they make. Banks have been getting benefits from that as they offer
Credit Cards to almost everyone, and then they charge “over the roof” interest. If
this problem is not stopped soon, the country will be in a very big issue, and will not
be able to take a step back. El Salvador is named “USA version 2.0” by its own
population due to all the things that you can find here.

Moreover, speaking about who governs the countries, it is obvious that USA is being
governed by what we like to call an Elitism. As a matter of fact, the elections are
democratic, but this only chooses the one that will sit in the white house. The
important decisions are made by the owner of the companies. This country is
controlled by a small group of powerful people. Every time something has to be
changed, the consequences cannot be negative for the powerful ones, or it will not
be done. However, this is not entirely bad in USA’s case as they usually do not mess
with the population. When decisions are made, they look for their benefit but try not
to cause damages to society, as they are the most faithful buyers they have. As soon
as they stop caring about their population, people will respond with riots and protests.
On the contrary, El Salvador is a very special case of Elitism, as the powerful group
doesn´t care about salvadorean population as much. They usually find a way to get
money, even if they have to steal it. Politicians use their influences to steal and
deceive, and to change laws. The company-owners control politics in majority as
they bribe politicians to get more benefits. In this country, money talks and people
do not matter. They even avoid taxes with NGO’s, special programs, donations and
other things. But, little by little, people are getting to the boiling point, and sooner
than later a revolution will start. In a couple of years, corruption will be just an old
story.

As the last point, core values are important in the configuration and behavior of a
country. Liberty and equality are the things that will be defined in this section. When
it comes to USA, law compliance with liberty and equality is very strong. As
democracy is more transparent, it gives a more suitable environment for these
things. Although, since laws are different in every state, so are these values. In some
states liberty, including sexual topics is very flexible. But, in other states laws are
very different and provide lots of limitations for their people in some cases. As well
as equality, specially in orientations matters, difference among states is very
noticeable. Some states have legalized gay marriage as it has been considered as
something normal that should not be banned, nevertheless, in other states this is still
considered as a taboo topic and as something that is everything but normal, so law
has not allowed it yet.

On the other hand, in El Salvador liberty is figurative. As law gives limitations, people
sometimes decide to follow or break the rules, depending on the case. As mentioned
before, transit regulations are often missed. Nonetheless, when it comes to taxes,
only big companies and powerful people can manage different ways to avoid paying
that money. In a matter of equality, even being a Latin-American country, it is very
far from providing equality. This is a chauvinist country were women is still presented
as inferior being in relation with men. Besides that, when it comes to sexual
orientations it is still very conservative. The great influence given by the church
makes people think that homosexual orientations are an abomination.

In conclusion, even if El Salvador is called “USA version 2.0” it is far from being the
same. Liberty and equality are of course different as one has more of both than the
other. The way they balance their core principles shows a great difference that is
presented by their way to make politics. And finally, when it comes to who is the one,
or who are the ones that govern the country, although both countries are governed
by similar groups, the way they approach their society, or their population shows why
one of them is more successful than the other one. After making this comparison
and contrast, in which America would you prefer to live?
 GLOSSARY

 Belief: the feeling of being certain that something exists or is true.

 Core: the basic and most important part of something.
 Deep-seated: strongly felt or believed and very difficult to change or get rid
of: a deep-seated faith in God.
 Entitled: feeling that you have the right to do or have what you want without
having to work for it or deserve it, just because of who you are.
 Kinship: the relationship between members of the same family.
 Linked: a connection between two people, things, or ideas.
 Mocked: Tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner. Make
(something) seem laughably unreal or impossible. Mimic (someone or
something) scornfully or contemptuously.
 Scarcity: The state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage. "a time of
scarcity".
 Settlement: An official agreement intended to resolve a dispute or conflict. A
place, typically one that has hitherto been uninhabited, where people
establish a community.
 Settler: a person who arrives, especially from another country, in a
new place in order to live there and use the land.
 Sum: the total amount resulting from the addition of two or more numbers,
amounts, or items.
 Trusted: deserving of trust, or able to be depended on.
 Upholds: Confirm or support (something that has been questioned). Maintain
(a custom or practice).
 Wide: Adjective- of great or more than average width. Including a great
variety of people or things.
 Willingness: The quality or state of being prepared to do something;
readiness.
BIBILIOGRAPHY
Cambridge Dictionary, (n.d). Definition of concepts, retrieved:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/
American Democracy, Chapter 1: American Political Culture. Source: Class Material
Annexes

Annexe 1: Immigrants in United States

Name: Inmigrant in United States

Source: Mailonline
Annexe 2: Poverty population in United States

Name: Poverty in United States

Source: Brookings.edu