Unit 3

Question 1

The politics of a society should reflect its political culture. It is important to understand political culture, how the values embedded in culture get passed on, and how those values become “the norm”.

Answer 1

Political culture

Question 2

What is culture generally

Answer 2

Culture consists of the shared values, beliefs, practices, and symbols relating to the food, clothing, social relations, language, religion, literature, music, and so on that are practiced or favored among a particular group of people”.

Question 3

What is political culture

Answer 3

“The collection of the understandings, values, attitudes, and principles of a community or society that relate to its political organization, processes, disputes, and public policies. Out of a society’s political culture come important beliefs and values that structure the citizens’ attitudes and expectations toward such basic concepts as legitimacy, power, authority, and obedience”.
Andrew Heard (in Rand Dyck - Studying Politics)

Question 5

a cluster of people who share the same basic political values and attributes that are distinct from those of other groups in society or from the predominant values and attributes of society as a whole.

Answer 5

Sub culture

Question 6

“a small group of individuals who have significantly more power than other members of their community. They are either in a position to make authoritative decisions or have privileged access to decision-makers.”

Answer 6

Elite

Question 7

“political activity by particular groups looking for recognition of their status and identity…such groups wish to see acknowledgement of the ways their beliefs and values systems differ from others in their society.”

Answer 7

Identity politics

Question 8

arise in a society when there are enduring political differences between groups within a society over political values, perspectives, and objectives

Answer 8

Political cleavages

Question 9

What ways can cleavages be delt with?

Answer 9

1.build single overarching culture (melting pot)
2.recognize difference and foster difference (multiculturalism)
3.design political structures to accommodate differences (federalism)
4.active repression of subgroups (genocide, residential schools)