1. PowerPoint Supplement Richard P. Farkas, DePaul University
POWER & CHOICE An Introduction to Political Science 14th Edition W. Phillips Shively, University of Minnesota
PowerPoint Supplement
Richard P. Farkas, DePaul University

2. Political Socialization
Chapter 8
Political Culture and
Political Socialization

3. Review (from Chapter 1)
AUTHORITY: Power to make policies based upon an institutionalized mechanism, procedure or by coercive force
LEGITIMACY: Belief by a large number of citizens that a particular government properly has authority
by results, habit, identity, procedures

4. Political Culture All attitudes and beliefs held communally by a
people which form the basis for their
politicalperceptions and behavior
Complex phenomenon -- often over-simplified
Changes slowly …
Changes in political culture affect other factors &
is affected by other factors

5. Approaches to Political Culture
“Civic Culture”
How citizens view their relationship with the State
(as “subjects” or as “participants”)
Values
traditional vs. secular/rational
survival vs. self-expression

6. Religion & Political Culture
Religion = potent element in political culture
Entangled with contemporary issues –
reproductive rights, gender, education, etc.
Islam = example of how simplicity can skew behavior … complex understanding required!

7. Political Socialization
Process of learning political values and ideas about politics
Begins in early childhood and continues
throughout life
Agents of socialization: parents/family,
school/teachers, peers, leaders, media

8. Political Culture & the “Democratic Citizen”
Requirements for democratic citizens:
► tolerance
► active participation
► high level of interest & information
► varying support for state, regime, government
Progress toward these goals?
Normative or empirical?

9. Social Capital
Web of ideas and activities that bind people together and give them the political resources and mutual trust that are needed to make government work Reservoir of trust, efficacy and expectations

10. Authority & Legitimacy: Cases
German case
facts
trends
meaning ...
U.S. contrast
causes ...