28 3.5 – WHAT VALUES SHOULD GOVERNMENTS PURSUE?
- WHAT VALUES SHOULD GOVERNMENTS PURSUE?
One of the most common justifications for government intervention stems from the public’s desire to promote the values with which citizens generally agree. The normative values pursued by governments in contemporary liberal democracies can generally be found outlined in written constitutions. For example, the U.S.
Constitution’s preamble requires the federal government to preserve a number of national values like the establishment of justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, and promoting the general welfare. In democracies, like the U.S., the values of individual economic liberty and representative government are of paramount importance (Parsons, 2020).
Figure 3.2: Facemasks during the Covid-19 pandemic became a point of contention between some Americans and state and local governments.
Source: Flickr Attribution: Paul Becker License: CC BY 2.0
American sociologist Robin Williams (1970) wrote about the basic values that American citizens embrace. He argued that many of the values and ideals shared by Americans are rooted in the country’s history. These values are freedom, individualism, pragmatism, volunteerism, mobility, patriotism, progress, and the American Dream. The idea of freedom shaped the framer’s beliefs about the role of government. Many of the freedoms enjoyed today are enshrined in the Bill of Rights, including freedom of speech, assembly, press, etc. Governments often express the value of freedom when policy makers make decisions governing liberties that can be legitimately denied by government. We may not think of governments denying freedoms to some as a vehicle for protecting the freedom of others, but it is a policy tool that is used quite often. For example, the government limits your liberty to speak (slander) or write (libel) harmful lies about others. Your freedom to enjoy a few glasses of wine while driving down the interstate is denied by a government that values the freedom of others to drive on safe roads. More recently, several state governments determined that the freedom of citizens at risk of becoming ill from the COVID-19 pandemic superseded the freedom of those citizens who refused to wear a face mask.
America’s sense of individual- ism has been a consistent theme throughout history, from Thomas Jefferson who argued that indi- vidual identity should be sacred and is tied to dignity and integrity, to pioneers who explored the west and those farmers and business owners driven by self-sufficiency. Individualism refers to not only self-reliance but also an American ideal of economic self-sufficiency and the strongly held belief that individuals must strive to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” We continue to see remnants of a strong sense of individualism when controversial policies are discussed, for instance, with arguments against redistributive policies such as welfare, Medicaid, and universal health care. Individualism ties into pragmatism, as Americans are known for their “can-do” spirit and focus on invention to solve problems. Likewise, the American desire to volunteer reflects an optimistic belief that citizens can solve problems rather than wait for others to step in.
Mobility refers to the American willingness to solve problems or increase economic mobility by moving elsewhere to make a fresh start. Americans are constantly seeking a way to better themselves, either through business, education, or simply changing their environment. The concept of mobility is related to the American value of progress as it pertains to the desire to make use of opportunities. For instance, immigrants often argue that they moved to the U.S. to build wealth and improve the lives of their children. This value is motivated by an American standard of hard work and sacrifice for the sake of generations to come. The “American Dream” stems from these values and continues to influence policy even today.
Patriotism plays a prominent role in the values that Americans share. As Williams writes, “National pride has become generally stronger than regional pride. The prevalence of patriotic symbols: flags fly in suburban neighborhoods, bumper stickers announce ‘I’m proud to be American,’ the national anthem is played at every sporting event. National holidays such as Thanksgiving and Independence Day intensify the sense of national identity” (Williams, 1970).
Finally, equality is a value pursued by governments when laws are passed that mandate the equal treatment of individuals within society (Stone, 2002). The U.S. government’s passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, for example, was meant to improve political and social equality for minority groups and women in the U.S. The U.S. Supreme Court recently interpreted the Civil Rights Act’s prohibition of discrimination based on sex to include protections for same-sex couples (Bostock v. Clayton County GA, 2020) and transgender com- munities (Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, 2020).
The U.S. Supreme Court has been instrumental in advancing equality in areas involving public education (Brown v. Board of Education, 1954), interracial mar- riage (Loving v. Virginia, 1967), and same-sex marriage (Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015).
It is important to note that simply because a nation upholds a set of core values does not mean that those values will be guaranteed for all. Many examples exist over the course of U.S. history when freedoms have been denied to individuals and groups. Furthermore, values become more or less of a focus in American society based on direct pressure and tension between changing demographics, politics, and political culture. For instance, the 1980s brought about a resurgence of the conservative focus on family values. After 9/11, individual freedoms were less of a concern due to national security issues and the threat of terrorism. Most recently, the U.S. has witnessed an increased focus on patriotism and a renewed sense of individualism (McCourtney Institute, Penn State, 2019). Changing values are expected and often serve as catalysts for policy change and innovation.
