Section 5
Culture and the Dominant Ideology in the U.S.
By Boundless
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/10134/square/s-declaration-independence.jpeg)
Despite certain consistent values (e.g. individualism, egalitarianism, freedom, democracy), American culture has a variety of expressions.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/1033/raw/inglehart-values-map.jpg)
People from different backgrounds tend to have different value systems, which cluster together into a more or less consistent system.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/1035/square/n-seattle-november-30-1999.jpeg)
Although various values often reinforce one another, these clusters of values may also include values that contradict one another.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/11712/square/8077587082-d02879e8e7-z.jpeg)
Values tend to change over time, and the dominant values in a country might shift as that country undergoes economic and social change.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/1041/square/on-reults-county-by-county.jpg)
In American usage, "culture war" refers to the claim that there is a conflict between those conservative and liberal values.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/1043/square/twee-paarden.jpeg)
Cultures hold values that are largely shared by their members, thereby binding members together.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/1044/square/and-groom-signing-the-book.jpeg)
Any given culture contains a set of values that determine what is important to the society; these values can be idealized or realized.