Understanding Political Culture: Definitions and Influences
In political science, the concept of political culture plays a crucial role in understanding how a population interacts with and perceives its political system. This article provides an in-depth look at the various definitions of political culture, its components, and its impact on political behavior.
Definitions of Political Culture
Political culture has been defined by several scholars, each emphasizing different aspects of this complex concept:
1. According to Lucian Pyee
According to Lucian Pyee, political culture is the property of a collectivity, such as a country, region, class, or party. It involves a set of shared views and normative judgments held by a population concerning their political system.
2. According to Dennis Kavangh
Dennis Kavangh defines political culture as a set of attitudes and practices held by a people that shape their political behavior. This perspective highlights the dynamic nature of political culture, noting how it influences how citizens participate in and interact with politics.
3. According to Sydney Verba
Sydney Verba views political culture as a reflection of the collective beliefs, opinions, and emotions of citizens toward their form of government. This definition underscores the emotional and ideological aspects of political culture.
4. According to Almond and Powell
Garold Almond and Sinclair Powell define political culture as the set of individual values and norms regarding politics and the political system. They stress that these values and norms are shared by a population, forming a common understanding of political phenomena.
5. According to Talkot Parsons
From the perspective of Talkot Parsons, political culture encompasses not just political behaviors but also non-political attitudes, such as work and leisure patterns, religious ideas, educational styles, and goals. This broader definition emphasizes the holistic impact of political culture on society.
Components of Political Culture
The building blocks of political culture include:
Beliefs: The fundamental ideas and ideologies held by a population regarding their political system. Opinions: Individual views and perspectives on political issues. Emotions: The emotional responses and attitudes of citizens toward politics. Attitudes: The predispositions and feelings that guide how individuals interact with politics. Values: The core principles and beliefs that shape political orientations.Impact on Political Behavior
The significance of political culture lies in its impact on political behavior. For instance, despite both being democracies, the United States and Great Britain exhibit distinct political cultures:
United States: Known for its emphasis on individualism, personal responsibility, and a strong emphasis on political participation through direct engagement and activism. Great Britain: Characterized by a more deferential attitude toward the state and reliance on traditional norms and institutions, with a strong sense of shared national identity.These differences illustrate how political culture shapes how citizens engage with their political systems, influencing everything from voter turnout and political participation to legislative behavior and public opinion.
A Broad Concept
In political science, the term 'political culture' is used neutrally and broadly. It is a synonym for the distribution pattern of all orientations toward the political system, including non-political aspects like work and leisure, religion, and education. This holistic view underscores the interconnectedness of cultural and political phenomena.