This paper will be concerned with the role of Jews in the American political system. Jews have an important voice in American politics. Although they are considered a minority, Jewish Americans are an integral part of the diverse, pluralistic society which forms the United States. In order to insure their fundamental rights within this society, it is important that Jews engage in a certain level of political activity. Many American Jews agree that the United States is a pluralistic society "in which Jewish cultural identity is to be maintained without a loss of political power or legal rights." As in the case of other ethnic groups in America, being a minority has an effect on Jewish political behavior and beliefs. In this regard, Irving Kristol has noted that Jews have always tended to be "liberal-to Left in American politics." This tendency toward permissive attitudes is related to the minority status of Jews in America. Although they are an important aspect of the diverse American society, it is evident that the Jews have a unique identity as well. At times, the special interests of Jewish Americans are at odds with those of the majority. Liberal values are necessary in order to insure the rights and freedoms of political minorities. American Jews recognize the importance of maintaining liberal values in the United States, and their political activities clearly reflect this awareness.
Prior to the late 1940's, American Jews were not strongly involved in organized politics. When they were involved in politics, they often turned to extreme Leftist ideologies such as Socialism. It has been hypothesized that the lack of Jewish political activity prior to the 1940's was related to the anti-Semitism of the general American public at that time. According to Seymour Lipset, Jewish involvement in American politics increased with the reduction in anti-Semitic attitudes which followed the Second World War. After World War Tw...