How Mongolian traditional culture influence on electoral campaign

How Mongolian traditional culture influence on electoral campaign? Munkhtsetseg Tserenjamts. Ph. D Mongolian State University of Education

Content Introduction 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A Peculiar Mongolian mentality: a view of upholding and respecting for State Parochialism Tribalism Nationalism Religion Conclusion

Introduction n n One of the factors that deeply influences Mongolian election campaign is national culture and tradition. Мany elements of traditional culture, religious rituals, nationalism restricted during communist years, are not reviving vigorously during this transition period. As a result of the findings, I suppose that following 5 cultural factors strong influence on elections campaign communication: A Peculiar Mongolian mentality: a view of upholding and respecting for State; Parochialism Tribalism Nationalism Religion

A Peculiar Mongolian mentality: a view of upholding and respecting for State Ø Similarly with other oriental civilizations, Mongolians used to worship state since ancient time and still prays to the statehood symbols. Ø There are still a strong expectations from the government and highly regard government officials and Head of state. This situation happens most often in countryside and suburb. Because rural areas has lack of density, sufficiency of mass media, living standard is low.

n Political forces takes advantages of this public mentality of expecting benevolence and virtues of government.

Parochialism Ø Ø Since ancient time, Mongolians lived sparsely in nomadic way not in cities, that’s why regional factor plays important role in life. Thus, political parties would have to consider that factor. When distributing candidates to districts outside Ulaanbaatar city, they use a criterion that whether a candidate is born, raised or his/her parents are from the same province. All the candidates in rural districts, were related to the district whether they were born there, or either of their parents were from the province. In turn, voters also prefer to vote for a candidate who is related to the district. Among the factors of voting behavior, the variable “knowledge of local life” was the 5 th strongest factor in UB during 2008 election.

Tribalism n n n Mongolia is a country with traditional culture with strong link of clan and relatives. Also Mongolians try to explore the family ancestors of candidates in evaluating of the person. For example, in our poll and focus group discussion, family and ancestral influence was the 6 th important factor in voting behavior. This family relationship is widely used by political parties in their campaigning. As an illustration, political parties tend to nominate any relatives in case of any current politicians pass away e. g. spouse, sister, brother, child etc. In other words, ‘political inheritance’ is very popular in Mongolia.

Nationalism n Nationalism that was pressed during communism, took its momentum after the regime collapse and still pervasive in all spheres of social life. n In negative campaigning, parties increasingly used nationalism. They send wrong information, manipulative messages regarding the foreign origins of opposing candidates, provoking patriotism and nationalistic senses.

n In every elections, they would send messages that would claim the candidates of opposing party as ‘of chinese blood’ or financed by China through mass media, brochure. For example, the same tactic was used against Mr. Tse. Elbegdorj who win in Presidential election.

Religion n Similarly, religion was also revived and started to play its part in Mongolian politics. The shaman ritual: Respect the mountain and nature

n In recent years, politicians increasingly use religion to attract public, to establish close link with voters. n Although, parliamentary election law prohibited of using religious rituals for campaignig, it is still a common practice that politicians use religious rituals in their campaign anyway.

Conclusion n n When examined the Mongolian election campaigning, I can conclude the following: One can easily observe from the current political reality in Mongolia the fact that long-lasting values conditioned and formed by history and customs throughout long time stays and influences in turn the political behavior. Generally Mongolian election campaigning has many elements of traditional culture such as a Mongolian mentality, parochialism, tribalism, nationalism, religion.