Political Culture & Trust

Question 1

What is Political Culture?

Answer 1

The values and beliefs society has shaping politics.

Question 2

4 premises of Political Culture

Answer 2

1. It varies/changes over time and population
2. There isn’t a universal culture
3. It isn’t genralisable
4. Prone to stereotypes

Question 3

Multiculturalism & PC

Answer 3

It affects the way politics are shaped. Due to globalisation there is more movement of people which consequently leads to have societies with difference backgrounds and cultures shaping a state’s political systems.
The “nationals” of the state usually become populist and against multicultural societies.

Question 4

Tackling multiculturalism (2)

Answer 4

1. Enhancing diversity to increase pluralism and social acceptance
   - it may lead the elite/majority to opress diversity (us vs them /)
2. Education & Globalisation
   - it challenges traditional customs

Question 5

What is the elite political culture?

Answer 5

The group that is more likely to influence politics within the state since it represents the larger majority and most powerful part of society.

Question 6

According to Almond & Verba, what are the different kinds of political cultures? (4)

Answer 6

1. Parochial
   · people aren’t much involved in politics nor the government takes the citizens interests/needs into account.
   · focus on community activities without taking into account the state’s authority.
2. Object
   · the government takes into account its citizens but treats them objectively
   · usually found in AR where the citizens obey to what the government says
3. Subject
   · citizens participate in decision and policy making processes
   · usually found in Democracies where both citizens and government trust each other
4. Civic Participation: a mix of parochial, object and subject.

Question 7

Critiques to Almond & Verba’s political culture (4)

Answer 7

1. Doesn’t take into account other dimensions apart from civic participation
2. Individual values may transform into political attitudes
3. Doesn’t reflect/explain democratic values or sociopolitcal development
4. Specific political preferences aren’t considered

Question 8

What is Post Materialism?

Answer 8

Society valuing beyond material things such as air quality or lifestyle.

Question 9

What does Post Materialism take into account/is based on? (2)

Answer 9

Based on Maslow’s pyramid, the model takes into account:
1. Level of Scarcity
· Whether someone has their needs fulfilled or not.
· All needs fulfulled is able to recognise quality beyond materialism
· However, if these needs aren’t covered, the personal interest prevails over post materialist values.
2. Socialisation
· The way in which people socialise and with who influences the extent in which individuals value their surroundings
· Education & Globalisationhave allowed an increase and expansion in valuing PM

Question 10

Critiques to the Post Materialist Model (2)

Answer 10

1. It only considers individuals instead of the conditions they are grown into.
2. Individuals aren’t rational

Question 11

What is Political Trust?

Answer 11

The extent in which citizens trust/have confidence on their governments in carrying political and social activities.
*guarantees political legitimacy
*subjective evaluation

Question 12

Political Trust, the object & the subject

Answer 12

Object: the one who is trusted
Subject: the one who trusts

Question 13

Democracies: Political Trust based on the object (3)

Answer 13

1. Government formation
   (however if it is a coalition citizens are more likely to trust (despite the government decreasing accountability))
2. Proportionality of votes to seats in parliament to represent minorities
3. Managing the economy to prevent market failures

Question 14

Democracies: Political Trust based on the subject (3)

Answer 14

1. Education is key (the more educated the more people understand and trust politics)
2. Voters’ Rationality: they are able to recognise and trust what/who is best for the state based on their individual values and preferences.
3. Experience with democracy

Question 15

According to Meer, what are the 4 mechanisms of Political Trust? (CCAR)

Answer 15

1. Competence
   The government being able to do its tasks
2. Intrinsic Commitment (Caring)
   The government cares for the citizens and acts upon their needs
3. Extrinsic Comitmment (Accountability)
   The government delivering/doing what they promised
4. Reliability
   The government fulfilling its tasks; past influencing the future.

Question 16

PT & Direct Democracy
(increasing trust: 3)

Answer 16

Are positively correlated.
1. Democratic instruments increases trust enhancing agenda-setting powers and policies
2. Easier to call for a referendum
3. People are involved in paricipatory and policymaking processes

Question 17

PT & Direct Democracy
(decreasing trust: 3)

Answer 17

Intensity of political conflict
1. the more actively citizens participate, the more mistrusted authortities are
2. lack of competence & commitment from the government
3. the majority usually decides in referendums

Question 18

Therefore, citizen participation increases —- but —– results in negative outcomes

Answer 18

political trust
participation itself

-> PT is based on the system itself
-> PC is based on the bottom up ideas of democracy