1. Political Science: An Introduction
Michael G. Roskin
Robert L. Cord
James A. Medeiros
Walter S. Jones
Chapter 7
Political Culture
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2. Indian Untouchables (Dalits) during a protest
Political Culture
Indian Untouchables (Dalits) during a protest
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. 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
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7. Americans’ Trust in Government
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8. 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
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9. 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
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10. 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?
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11. Trilingual voting sign in California
Multiculturalism
Trilingual voting sign in California
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12. 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
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13. 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
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