6.2 Political Culture: How People Express Their Political Identity
4 min read•june 18, 2024
shapes how people engage with politics, from voting to activism. It encompasses shared values and beliefs that guide political behavior, influencing everything from policy preferences to electoral outcomes.
represents the dominant political beliefs of the majority, while elite and offer distinct perspectives. Shifts in can lead to significant changes in elections, policies, and social dynamics, reflecting evolving societal norms and priorities.
Political Culture and Identity
Political culture types and distinctions
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- encompasses shared values, beliefs, and norms shaping political behavior and attitudes within a society
- Influences population's orientation towards political institutions, processes, and policies
- Guides how individuals and groups engage with the political system (voting, activism, public discourse)
- Mass culture represents dominant political beliefs and values held by majority of population
- More broadly shared and less ideologically coherent compared to elite or
- Significantly impacts electoral outcomes (presidential elections) and policy preferences (healthcare reform)
- consists of political attitudes and beliefs held by society's most influential and powerful members
- Includes politicians, business leaders, intellectuals, and other decision-makers (members of Congress, CEOs)
- More ideologically consistent and politically engaged than mass culture
- Plays crucial role in shaping policy agendas (tax reforms) and political discourse (media narratives)
- Minority cultures encompass distinct political beliefs and values held by various subgroups within society
- Based on factors such as ethnicity (Latino voters), religion (Evangelical Christians), socioeconomic status (working-class voters), or region (Southern conservatives)
- May diverge from or challenge dominant mass culture
- Advocates for specific interests or policy preferences relevant to their group (immigration reform, religious freedom)
Impacts of mass culture shifts
- Changes in mass political culture lead to significant shifts in electoral outcomes
- Emerging issues (climate change) or evolving social norms (LGBTQ+ rights) alter priorities and preferences of electorate
- Political parties and candidates adapt platforms to appeal to changing mass culture (embracing renewable energy policies)
- Shifting mass cultures influence policy agendas and legislative priorities
- As evolves on specific issues (gun control), policymakers feel pressure to address concerns
- Changes in mass culture create opportunities for new political movements or coalitions (Tea Party, progressive wing of Democratic Party)
- Evolving mass cultures impact social dynamics and intergroup relations
- Shifts in attitudes towards diversity, equality, or social justice affect how different groups interact and perceive each other (racial justice protests)
- Changes in mass culture may lead to increased polarization or social tension, particularly if subgroups feel marginalized or threatened (rural-urban divide)
- Media and technology play crucial role in shaping and reflecting changes in mass political culture
- Rise of social media (Twitter) and alternative news sources (podcasts) accelerate spread of new ideas and attitudes
- Media coverage and framing of issues influence public perceptions and priorities (immigration debate)
Formation of political cultures
- plays critical role in development of individual political beliefs and values
- Family, education (civics classes), religion, and media exposure shape early political attitudes
- Peer groups and personal experiences further influence throughout life (college activism)
- Historical events and crises have profound impact on formation and evolution of political cultures
- Wars (Vietnam War), economic depressions (Great Recession), and social movements (Civil Rights Movement) shift public attitudes and priorities
- Generational experiences shape political culture of entire age cohorts (Baby Boomers, Millennials)
- Economic and social conditions influence development of political cultures
- Periods of prosperity or hardship affect public attitudes towards government intervention and redistribution (New Deal era)
- Social inequality and mobility shape perceptions of fairness and support for various policies (welfare programs)
- Political institutions and systems shape evolution of political cultures over time
- Structure of government, electoral systems (Electoral College), and party dynamics influence how political beliefs and values are expressed and aggregated
- Presence or absence of democratic norms and civil liberties affect development of participatory or authoritarian political cultures (post-Soviet states)
- Globalization and international influences contribute to evolution of political cultures
- Exposure to diverse ideas and practices through trade, migration, and cultural exchange shape domestic political attitudes (European Union)
- International events and trends, such as rise of populism (Brexit) or global environmental movement (Paris Agreement), influence national political cultures
Political Engagement and Trust
- fosters active citizen participation and engagement in political processes
- Encourages informed decision-making and responsible citizenship
- shapes individuals' views on the role of government and policy preferences
- takes various forms, from voting to activism and civil disobedience
- influences policy-making and electoral outcomes
- refers to individuals' belief in their ability to understand and influence political processes
- impacts citizens' willingness to engage with and support government institutions
Key Terms to Review (34)
AIDS: AIDS within political science stands for "Advocacy, Identity, Democracy, and Society," a conceptual framework used to examine how minority groups express their political identities and navigate majority-minority relations. It focuses on the methods and impacts of these groups' efforts to advocate for their rights, shape their collective identities, participate in democratic processes, and influence broader societal attitudes.
Alexis de Tocqueville: Alexis de Tocqueville was a French historian and political thinker who is best known for his influential work, 'Democracy in America,' which examined the social, political, and cultural conditions of the United States in the early 19th century. His insights on American democracy, political culture, and majority-minority relations have had a lasting impact on political science and our understanding of democratic societies.
Ardern: Jacinda Ardern is a New Zealand politician who served as the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2017 to 2022, known for her progressive policies and empathetic leadership style. She became a global icon for her approach to issues such as climate change, gun control, and her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing how political leaders can influence political culture and identity.
Behavioral Approach: The behavioral approach in political science focuses on understanding and analyzing political behavior, particularly the actions and decision-making processes of individuals and groups within the political system. This approach emphasizes the importance of empirical observation and data collection to study how people actually behave in political contexts, rather than relying solely on theoretical models or normative assumptions.
Civic Culture: Civic culture refers to the attitudes, beliefs, and values that underlie and shape the political behavior and participation of citizens within a given society. It encompasses the norms, traditions, and informal rules that guide how citizens engage with the political system and with one another.
Civic engagement: Civic engagement involves actively participating in the political and social affairs of a community to improve its wellbeing and to protect individual freedoms. It can include activities such as voting, volunteering, participating in civic groups, and public advocacy.
Civic Engagement: Civic engagement refers to the active participation of individuals and communities in the democratic process and the promotion of the common good. It encompasses a range of activities, from voting and political activism to volunteering and community service, that aim to address societal issues and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
Civic engagement is a fundamental aspect of a healthy democracy, as it allows citizens to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives and to work collectively towards positive change. It is closely connected to the concepts of political participation, public opinion, political socialization, and political culture, all of which are crucial in shaping the political landscape and the way people express their political identity and influence majority-minority relations.
Comparative Politics: Comparative politics is the systematic study of the world's diverse political systems, institutions, behaviors, and outcomes. It examines how and why political systems differ across countries and regions, analyzing the underlying factors that shape a country's political landscape.
Elite culture: Elite culture within the context of political science refers to the set of beliefs, values, and practices that are shared among the most influential or powerful individuals and groups within a society. It often shapes political norms and expectations by setting trends that others in society may follow or react against.
Elite Culture: Elite culture refers to the values, beliefs, and practices of the dominant, powerful, and influential members of a society. It is often contrasted with the culture of the general population or the 'masses' and is characterized by its exclusivity, refinement, and access to resources and opportunities.
Elite culture is closely tied to the concept of political culture, as it shapes how political identity is expressed and manifested within a society.
Jong-un: Kim Jong-un is the Supreme Leader of North Korea, having assumed power after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in December 2011. His leadership is characterized by maintaining strict control over the country's political and social life, emphasizing military might and a centralized economy within a totalitarian regime.
Mass culture: Mass culture is a set of shared beliefs, values, and practices that are widespread across a large group, often disseminated through mass media. It plays a significant role in shaping the political identity and behaviors of individuals within a society.
Mass Culture: Mass culture refers to the shared cultural experiences, values, and practices that emerge from the widespread dissemination of media, entertainment, and consumer goods in modern industrialized societies. It is characterized by the mass production and mass consumption of cultural products, often aimed at appealing to the broadest possible audience.
Minority cultures: Minority cultures consist of groups within a society that are smaller in number and often hold less power or fewer privileges than the dominant group. These cultures can significantly influence political identity and group activities, expressing unique perspectives and priorities in the political landscape.
Minority Cultures: Minority cultures refer to the distinct cultural traditions, beliefs, and practices of groups that make up a smaller portion of the overall population within a larger society. These cultures often face challenges in preserving their unique identity and may experience marginalization or discrimination.
Neoconservatism: Neoconservatism is a political ideology that emerged in the United States in the 1970s, characterized by a hawkish foreign policy, a strong emphasis on traditional social values, and a belief in the power of free-market capitalism. It represents a rightward shift from traditional conservatism, with a focus on promoting American global dominance and a more interventionist approach to international affairs.
Nixon: Richard Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 until his resignation in 1974 due to the Watergate scandal. His presidency significantly impacted international relations, notably through the policy of détente with the Soviet Union and opening diplomatic relations with China.
Partisanship: Partisanship refers to strong allegiance or adherence to a particular political party or faction, often characterized by unwavering support for that party's policies and candidates regardless of their merits. It is a central concept in understanding how individuals express their political identity and the dynamics of political parties.
Political culture: Political culture encompasses the set of beliefs, values, and norms that define how individuals within a society understand and engage in political activities. It shapes how people perceive their role in politics, the functioning of political institutions, and their interactions with these institutions.
Political Culture: Political culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that shape the way a society or group of people engage with and participate in the political process. It encompasses the underlying assumptions, norms, and traditions that influence how citizens interact with their government and each other on political matters.
Political Efficacy: Political efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to understand and influence political processes and outcomes. It encompasses both internal efficacy, which is one's perception of their own competence to participate in politics, and external efficacy, which is the belief that the political system is responsive to citizen input.
Political elite: Political elites are individuals or groups that hold a disproportionate amount of political power and influence within a society. They often shape policy, public opinion, and the direction of national interests through their decisions and actions.
Political ideology: Political ideology is a set of ethical ideals, principles, doctrines, myths, or symbols of a social movement, institution, class, or large group that explains how society should work and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order. It encompasses a broad range of topics including economics, education, healthcare policy, and human rights.
Political Ideology: Political ideology is a set of beliefs, values, and principles that shape an individual's or group's political views and guide their political actions. It provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the political world, and influences how people perceive and engage with issues related to government, power, and social change.
Political participation: Political participation encompasses the various activities that individuals or groups engage in to influence government actions and policies. It includes voting, protesting, lobbying, and participating in civil rights movements.
Political Participation: Political participation refers to the various ways in which citizens engage with and influence the political process. It encompasses a range of activities, from voting in elections to actively campaigning for political causes, that allow individuals and groups to shape the decisions and policies that affect their lives.
Political socialization: Political socialization is the process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms regarding political life and the political system from their surroundings, shaping their political attitudes and behaviors. It occurs throughout one’s life, starting in childhood, through various agents such as family, education systems, peer groups, media, and significant events.
Political Socialization: Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and behaviors. It is the way people develop their political identity and learn how to participate in the political system. This term is closely connected to understanding why humans make the political choices they do, how human behavior is partially predictable, the importance of context for political decisions, the origins of public opinion, and the ways people become politically engaged.
Political Trust: Political trust refers to the level of confidence and credibility that citizens have in their government, political institutions, and elected officials. It is a crucial component of political culture and shapes how people engage with and express their political identity.
Public opinion: Public opinion is the collective preferences and attitudes of people on various issues, policies, and individuals, especially as it relates to governance and public affairs. It is shaped by social, economic, and political factors and can influence government action and policy.
Public Opinion: Public opinion refers to the collective views, attitudes, and beliefs of a population on various political, social, and economic issues. It represents the general sentiment or consensus among the public on matters of public concern and is a crucial factor in shaping the policies and decisions of governments and other institutions.
Robert Putnam: Robert Putnam is a prominent American political scientist and professor known for his groundbreaking work on social capital and its impact on political culture and majority-minority relations. His research has significantly influenced our understanding of how people express their political identity and how political culture shapes interactions between different groups within a society.
Social Democracy: Social democracy is a political, social, and economic ideology that supports a balance between a market economy and social welfare programs. It advocates for a mixed economy with both private enterprise and government intervention to promote social and economic justice.
Woods: In the context of political science, "woods" metaphorically represents the complex ecosystem of political culture where various ideologies and beliefs coexist and interact, shaping how groups express their political identities. This ecosystem is dynamic, with new ideas emerging and old ones evolving or disappearing over time.