Lecture 5: Political Culture Flashcards
What is political culture?
Cultural values shaping political attitudes and behavior (e.g., equality, hierarchy preferences). Differs from short-term public opinion.
Congruence Theory (Almond & Verba): Core idea?
Regimes stabilize if institutions align with cultural values. Mismatch causes instability.
Almond & Verba
E.g., “Democracy without democrats is fragile.”
Criticisms of Congruence Theory?
Almond & Verba
- Hard to measure culture in autocracies.
- Causality: Institutions may shape culture.
- Ignores suppressed pro-democracy values.
Modernization Theory’s link to cultural values?
Lipset
Wealth/education → emancipatory values (autonomy, gender equality).
Middle class demands democracy.
Inglehart’s ‘Silent Revolution’: Key claim?
Post-war prosperity shifted values from materialist (survival) to postmaterialist (self-expression, democracy).
Emancipatory Values (Welzel & Inglehart):
Personal autonomy, gender equality, popular voice. Drive democracy when elites supply freedoms (supply-demand match).
Cultural Backlash (Norris & Inglehart):
Traditional groups resist value change (e.g., Trump, Brexit). Fuels authoritarian support.
Support for democracy vs. authoritarianism: Key caveat?
Abstract support ≠ rejection of autocracy. People may trade democracy for policy/partisan gains.
E.g., Svolik’s findings.
Trends in autocracy support (data)?
Rising approval of “strong leaders,” technocracy, and military rule (WVS/EVS data, 2010–2020).
Religion and democracy: Are they incompatible?
No. Christianity may align with democracy (e.g., Poland), but Muslim-majority states vary (Indonesia vs. Saudi Arabia).
Key takeaway on political culture’s role?
Slow-changing values (e.g., autonomy) underpin democracy. Causality is debated; institutions and culture interact.
Generational Replacement:
Younger, postmaterialist cohorts replace older generations, shifting values (e.g., LGBTQ+ rights in the West).
Examples of emancipatory values?
Gender equality (Nordic states), reproductive rights (Argentina), free speech (South Korea).
How does cultural backlash manifest?
Populist leaders exploit nostalgia (e.g., Orban’s “illiberal democracy,” Bolsonaro’s traditionalism).
Why measure support for authoritarianism?
High democratic support ≠ low autocratic support. Hybrid regimes thrive if both coexist.
E.g., Turkey, Philippines.
Politicization of democracy:
Parties campaign on democratic norms (e.g., Dutch PVV’s “strong leader” advocacy, Bolsonaro undermining institutions).
Cultural-institutional mismatch example?
Arab Spring: Pro-democracy values clashed with authoritarian institutions (Egypt, Tunisia).
“Asian Values” vs. Western democracy?
Emphasize collectivism/hierarchy (e.g., Singapore’s model) over Western individualism.
Democratic Ambivalence:
Supporting democracy abstractly but tolerating authoritarian practices for stability (e.g., Russia, Turkey).
Religion’s dual role in democracy:
Can foster trust (Christianity in Poland) or reinforce autocracy (Saudi Arabia’s theocracy).
Resource Curse’s political impact?
Natural resources → state bypasses taxes, reduces accountability, stabilizes autocracies (e.g., Saudi Arabia).
Authoritarian Capitalism examples?
China, Singapore: Capitalist economies with state control and limited political freedoms.
Lipset vs. Foa on development?
Lipset: Development → democracy. Foa: Development stabilizes autocracies (authoritarian capitalism).
How do institutions socialize citizens?
Schools, media, laws shape norms (e.g., civic education in democracies vs. propaganda in autocracies).
