Political Socialization and Influences Political Culture These dilemmas

Political Socialization and Influences

Political Culture � � � These dilemmas are the result of Political Culture The widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of its people about politics These beliefs derive from the country’s traditions and help to define the relationship of citizens to their government and to each other.

Political Culture, cont… � � Political Culture is usually based on three things: race/ethnicity, religion, and shared history of nation Irish political culture, therefore, is based on: Their views on govt and politics are based on these shared traits. Does the US have a shared race/ethnicity, religion, or history? � Not at all. Americans are all races and religions, etc.

American Political Culture � � Since the US doesn’t have those traditional shared elements, the Founding Fathers had to find another way to unify the diverse colonists during and after the Revolution Decided that the best way to do that was to identify a set of principles that could unify all Americans � They began to outline these principles in the Declaration of Independence � In order to “be” an American, all you have to do is be committed to these principles

Principles of American Political Culture � Liberty � Individuals should be free to act as they choose � Unsettled land fostered freedom through migration � Many fled Europe to escape religious persecution � Individualism � The individual is paramount; government is secondary � Government’s role is to serve the people � Tocqueville: Americans’ chief aim is to “remain their own masters”

Principles of American Political Culture, cont… � Equality � European aristocratic privilege versus American equal treatment under the law � Perplexing ideal in the early years of the nation: Some were free while others were enslaved � Differing opinions on the meaning of equality persist � Self-government � American colonials had substantial self-determination � Vision of a self governing nation with powers “…from the consent of the governed”

Chapter 6: PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION: SHAPING THE PEOPLE’S VOICE

Public Opinion and Political Socialization � � � While it may seem weird that we are jumping from Ch. 1 to Ch. 6, I promise it makes sense: Only in a democracy (govt type) does public opinion matter to those in power And political culture is largely passed on throughout society through the process of political socialization

� � Citizens’ attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events Politically relevant opinions held by ordinary citizens that they express openly

Attitude � a specific preference or view about a particular issue, personality (political leader) or event

Values (or beliefs) � Basic principles that shape a person’s opinions about political issues and events � The basis for your attitudes and opinions � Often religious in nature, but not always ▫ Can be humanistic/non-religious ethical values as well

Political Ideology � � These values and beliefs often lead to a political ideology A cohesive set of beliefs that forms a general philosophy about the role of government � Few Americans have a true political ideology � Most have ideological leanings ▫ Liberal ▫ Conservative ▫ Libertarian ▫ Populist/Communitarian To find out which way you lean ideologically, take the world’s smallest political quiz (10 short questions) https: //www. theadvocates. org/quiz. php

Political Ideology, cont… � It is important to remember that Political Ideology ≠ Political Party � Conservative ≠ Republican � Liberal ≠ Democrat � Party identification: emotional loyalty to a political party; not formal membership � Major shifts in loyalty rare ▫ Usually in response to a major event � Can lead to selective perception

Political Socialization � Induction of individuals into the political culture �Method by which people form their political opinions

Political Socialization, cont… � Political outlooks are influenced most by childhood learning � Earliest influences are the most important and have the longest lasting influence � The effect is cumulative � And reinforcing – your religion is largely determined by your family, etc.

Primary Agents of Socialization � Family � Most important and influential agent of socialization � They “get to you first” and you are dependent on your family for most of your young life ▫ Also spend most of your time with them � Most people tend to adhere to the same political ideology and political party as their parents ▫ There always exceptions, of course

Primary Agents, cont… � School � Can be reinforcing with other agents depending on your type of schooling ▫ If you went to a religious school or were home-schooled, this would help to reinforce the lessons learned from parents and religion � More critical examination of American history in higher grades and in college

Primary Agents, cont… � Religion � The textbook uses the term “church, ” but not all religious people go to church, so I prefer the term religion instead � Usually reinforcing with the family agent – very few kids break with their parents and join a different religion � Scholars have not studied the effects of religion as well as schools or family, but it is a powerful influence

Secondary Agents of Socialization � These agents tend to have an influence later in a person’s life � As � a result, they are less influential Secondary Agents: � Peers ▫ Your friends can help to challenge or reinforce your views � The Media ▫ Tend to reinforce one’s views �People access different media depending on their views � Political Leaders ▫ Important leaders, like the president, can change one’s views � Political Events ▫ Major events like the Great Depression, Vietnam, Watergate, 9/11, and the ‘ 08 Economic Crisis can fundamentally change and influence one’s views

Other Secondary Agents � � � � Economic class Group Affiliations – clubs, etc. Region Race and ethnicity Gender Generations and age Each of these factors influence and affect how one sees the world and political issues

Pol. Ideology and Socialization