These factors differ from the long-term factors as they are often short-lived. The melting pot metaphor assumed that over time the distinct habits, customs, and traditions associated with particular groups would disappear as people assimilated into the larger culture. We will now examine these aspects of political culture in the American context. Nearly four times as many liberals as conservatives say it is important that their community has racial and ethnic diversity; about three times as many conservatives as liberals say it is important that many in the community share their religious faith. The traditional political subculture, which is found in the South, reflects a hierarchical societal structure in which social and familial ties are central to holding political power (Elazar, 1972). These included patriotic leaders, such as American-flag designer Betsy Ross; prominent presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln; and military leaders, such as Civil War General Stonewall Jackson, a leader of the Confederate army. 7To those on the ideological right and left, compromise now means that their side gets more of what it wants. It consists of diverse subcultures based on group characteristics such as race, ethnicity, and social circumstances, including living in a particular place or in a certain part of the country. Another core American value is political tolerance, the willingness to allow groups with whom one disagrees to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, such as free speech. The subculture receives most of its media attention in response to the murder of prominent artists, such as Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., or the arrest of musicians for violating the law, usually for a weapons- or drug-related charge. In the 2008 Presidential Election and 2012 Presidential election, African Americans voted overwhelmingly for Democratic candidate, Barack Obama. While the civic culture in the United States has remained relatively stable over time, shifts have occurred as a result of transforming experiences, such as war, economic crises, and other societal upheavals, that have reshaped attitudes and beliefs (Inglehart, 1990). Sports figures feature prominently among American heroes, especially during their prime. The principle of individualism stresses the centrality and dignity of individual people. Copyright ©2008-2019 ushistory.org, owned by the Independence Hall Association in Philadelphia, founded 1942. Opponents also felt that it was wrong to politicize the statue by making it part of a dialogue on race. Many factors — including family, gender, religion, race and ethnicity, and region — all contribute to American political attitudes and behavior. As people grow older, other influences crisscross the family, and naturally their attitudes tend to diverge from those of their parents. These stories were popularized by engravings like this one by John C. Mccabe depicting Washington working as a land surveyor. The most noticeable increase in Hispanic American voting was in the 2000 presidential election, although the votes did not share a socially common political view at that time. How Pew Research conducted the polarization survey and launched a new research panel, Key facts about partisanship and political animosity in America, Which party is more to blame for political polarization? As mass media, especially motion pictures, radio, and television, became an important part of American life, entertainment and sports personalities who received a great deal of publicity became heroes to many people who were awed by their celebrity (Greenstein, 1969).