Political Science: An Introduction Michael G. Roskin Robert L. Cord James A. Medeiros Walter S. Jones Chapter 7 Political Culture Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Indian Untouchables (Dalits) during a protest Political Culture Indian Untouchables (Dalits) during a protest Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Political Culture Political culture is the norms and values of a people, including ideas on how the political system should work A nation’s political culture arises from its history, economy, religion, and folkways, and may endure for centuries America founded on basis of “competitive individualism,” a spirit of hustle and self-interest East Asian cultures tend to be more communitarian, where the welfare of the individual is secondary to that of the group Many lands have long known only autocracy, with no experience of democracy; they have a harder time becoming democratic Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Political Culture and Public Opinion Both look at attitudes toward politics, political culture focusing on basic, general values, while public opinion is more timely, focusing on views toward current leaders and policies Both areas use surveys, but with much different questions, but political culture studies seek qualitative data as well as quantitative While political culture stable and solidified in good times, periods of chaos and economic downturn can question government’s legitimacy A long-held public opinion becomes political culture – the Vietnam War caused great distrust in government, which persists to the present Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Participation in America Many Americans don’t participate in politics; only about a half vote in national elections, fewer in state elections “Sleeping dogs” theory is that Americans pay little attention to politics until aroused by scandal, war, or economic disasters – then they vote politicians out Rule of anticipated reactions means politicians always try to predict how public will react to policies, and behave accordingly Thus, Americans’ low turnout unless aroused Americans tend to be natural “group formers” when faced with a political problem Americans are also prouder of their system than foreigners are of theirs, thus greater faith in democracy Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

The Decay of Political Culture Cynicism has been growing in developed countries in recent decades – for America it arose from the Vietnam War upheaval, with Watergate and younger generation’s excesses as major causes Trust increased with Reagan, but fell in 2004 over Iraq, and in 2008 over the recession – lack of trust makes it harder to govern effectively, to reach compromises “Culture wars” also polarize electorate into two seemingly different countries – first exploited by Nixon Conservative backlash grew in reaction to upheavals of 60s and 70s American tendency to form associations, which help stabilize, also declining – though some argue we’re just joining new ones: not Elks, but Habitat for Humanity Perhaps, as citizens become more educated, they’re more willing to criticize society and government Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Americans’ Trust in Government Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Elite and Mass Subcultures Every country has subcultures with differing takes on political culture Elites are better educated, wealthier, more participatory Better educated people have more political competence: more skilled at organizing, speaking in public The uneducated and poor lack knowledge and confidence; they have lower political efficacy, believe their “vote doesn’t matter” The better-off and better educated know how to look after their interests better politically, hence gain more from the system than the poor do, ironically --Thus, the 2001 tax cut favored the wealthiest, who often donate a lot to politicians’ campaigns Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Minority Subcultures (1) More than 30% of Americans are non-white, with different attitudes than those of dominant white culture Blacks vote solidly Democratic, distrust the police and courts as racist Whites vote more Republican, have faith in police and courts In Canada, different language of Québecois causes rift with dominant English speakers, and calls for independence Basques of Spain and Catholics of N. Ireland seek independence, claiming discrimination by majority Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Minority Subcultures (2) Nations should seek to integrate subcultures or violence may erupt threatening political system, as with Tamils in Sri Lanka US relies on voluntary integration as immigrants know they must learn English to advance – our culture then tends to standardize norms and values of newcomers into mainstream African Americans and Hispanics have had slower going on integration, largely due to racism They nonetheless will be severely handicapped if they don’t succeed at integration, including adopting standard English, especially in getting good jobs California voters approved an end to bilingual education to speed integration – a trend? Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Trilingual voting sign in California Multiculturalism Trilingual voting sign in California Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Agents of Socialization (1) Political socialization for norms and values, as well as the trappings of the nation, such as singing national anthem, crucial to stable government The Family usually outweighs other factors; political socialization will generally fail if at odds with the family’s values --Most people vote as their parents do Early years tend to have the strongest influence on our lives Schools provide more deliberate socialization; political regimes often try to build compliant citizens via schools Those with more education have stronger sense of responsibility to their community, feel more able to influence public policy than less educated Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.

Agents of Socialization (2) Peer Groups such as friends help shape political values, and seem to be growing in strength when both parents work Mass Media have growing influence, especially television Heavy TV watching makes people passive and less interested in community or group activities – in 1961 Newton Minow described television as vast wasteland Members of Congress receive less respectful TV coverage – such views may persist through the lifespan But family and religion appear stronger influences Government is also socialization agent, especially by raising living standards Government also uses great spectacles, such as Beijing Olympics, to strengthen public attitudes Alienated groups may socialize children against state Copyright @ 2010, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc.