Chapter 5- Textbook Flashcards
What is political culture?
The fundamental values, beliefs, and orientations that are widely held within a political community.
Does each country have a particular political culture?
No, because in many countries there are different subcultures that break the assumption.
There is a distinction made between___political culture (values and beliefs of the most influential in political life) and___political culture.
- elite
- mass
What can we use to describe the political culture of a political community?
Its dominant ideological perspective and politically relevant values.
What does Hartz argue?
That as societies of Western Europe developed from feudalism to capitalism, traditional conservative perspectives clashed with liberal perspectives the rose among those seeking a freer market economy. The class led to socialism.
What was the outcome of the clash that led to socialism on Western Europe political culture?
that it is diverse with conservative, liberal, and socialist perspectives.
In countries colonized by European settlers, what part of their mother country’s political culture was transferred over?
the leading par
What does Hartz believe that US and Canada are? What values are predominant?
- liberal fragments
- individual freedom predominant
What is the view of political culture in regards to the Loyalists?
They brought to Canada some traditional conservative values along with liberal values. This made possible the development of socialist values.
How did Lipset view Canada and the US?
As having different political cultures because of historical experience. US was founded through revolution and Canada was founded through counter-revolutionary measures (resulted in more conservative political culture).
Who does Lipset believe are more deferential towards those in positions of authority and willing to support collective action for common good?
Canada
Who does Lipset view as being more individualistic and distrustful of government?
US
Why does Lipset believe that Canada has more liberal views on social and moral issues?
Because of strength of conservative fundamentalist religious groups in the US.
Who does Lipset believe is less willing to pursue egalitarian policies to redistribute wealth and income to the poor?
US
what does democracy involve?
Process and institutions that are accountable for their citizens.
Why is it suggested that a democratic political culture is needed?
If Democracy is to be sustained and meaningful.
What did Almond and Veroba classify?
Political culture in terms three basic types:
- Parochial
- Subject
- Participant
What is a parochial political culture?
Underdeveloped countries, most people largely unaware of political system, do not have much expectation for government duties, and do not participate in politics.
What is a subject political culture?
Countries that are non-democratic or only recently emerged from an authoritarian system, awareness of political system and policies government adopts, but they are not oriented in trying to effect those policies.
What is a participant political culture?
Citizens aware of political system and have activist orientation in seeking to affect what government does.
What do Almond and Veroba suggest a participant political culture could lead to?
Instability if citizens put forward too many demands that governments would be unable to fulfill.
What do Almond and Veroba believe is the best political culture?
A civic culture which features a mix of all three
What does a civic culture balance?
power of gov’t to govern and responsiveness of gov’t to the people
Do most people find that it is important to live in a country that is governed democratically?
yes
What is Canada’s political culture based on?
liberal democratic values such as political freedom, individual rights, political equality, and government based on rule of law.
Is consensus about general political culture matched by support for the values that go along with it?
no
Ex. suspending civil liberties if there is a national emergency.
Have public confidence and trust in government, elected representatives, political leaders, and political parties increased or decreased in almost all the advanced democratic countries?
decreased
What is political efficacy?
the attitude that individuals can have an impact on political decisions and that government is responsive to what people want.
Is political efficacy high or low in advanced democracies today?
low (problematic)
What could explain the recent distrust in government?
- political scandals
- broken promises
- citizens are better informed about the failures of gov’t through mass media
Where is distrust for gov’t most prevalent among?
the educated and the young
What is the declining capacity for gov’ts to satisfy the needs and desires of citizenry due to?
globalization
Does the fact that citizens have become more critical of gov’t, political parties, and politicians indicate a dissatisfaction with democracy?
no
Is the general level of political knowledge low or high? What are most people knowledgeable about?
- low
- although most people are knowledgeable about political issues they consider personally important.
