Political Science 101 POLS: Comparative Politics Political - Culture Almond Verba Civic Culture Parochial Subject Participant Inglehart Postmaterialism World Values Survey

1. What This Is & Why It Matters

Political Culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, and norms that shape a society's relationship with politics and government. Understanding political culture is crucial in political science because it helps explain why some democracies thrive while others collapse. Without grasping the nuances of political culture, you can't explain why some countries have high voter turnout, while others have low civic engagement.

Consider the example of the 2016 US presidential election. Donald Trump's campaign tapped into a sense of disillusionment and frustration among certain segments of the American population, which was rooted in a distinct cultural narrative. This highlights the importance of understanding the underlying cultural dynamics that influence political behavior.

2. Essential Thinkers, Concepts & Models

• Almond & Verba's Civic Culture: A theory that categorizes political cultures into three types: Civic, Parochial, and Subject. Civic cultures are characterized by high levels of civic engagement and trust in government.
  • Definition: A political culture that emphasizes civic participation and trust in institutions.
  • Why it's still relevant: Almond and Verba's work continues to influence research on democratic participation and civic engagement.
• Inglehart's Postmaterialism: A theory that suggests that as societies become more affluent, citizens' values shift from material security to postmaterial values such as environmental protection and social justice.
  • Definition: A cultural shift towards prioritizing postmaterial values over material security.
  • Why it's still relevant: Inglehart's work has been used to explain changes in voting behavior and public opinion on issues like climate change.
• World Values Survey: A research project that collects data on cultural values and attitudes across the world.
  • Definition: A global survey that measures cultural values and attitudes.
  • Why it's still relevant: The World Values Survey provides valuable data for researchers studying cultural trends and changes.
• Parochial Culture: A type of political culture characterized by a strong sense of local identity and limited civic engagement.
  • Definition: A political culture that prioritizes local interests over national or global concerns.
  • Why it's still relevant: Parochial cultures can be seen in the rise of nationalist movements and the decline of global cooperation.
• Subject Culture: A type of political culture characterized by a lack of civic engagement and a high degree of deference to authority.
  • Definition: A political culture that emphasizes obedience to authority over civic participation.
  • Why it's still relevant: Subject cultures can be seen in authoritarian regimes and societies with limited democratic participation.
• Civic Engagement: The level of participation and involvement citizens have in the political process.
  • Definition: The degree to which citizens engage in politics through voting, volunteering, and other forms of participation.
  • Why it's still relevant: Civic engagement is a key indicator of democratic health and stability.

3. Step-by-Step 'Political Analysis'

1. Define the research question: Identify the specific aspect of political culture you want to study, such as civic engagement or postmaterial values.
2. Gather data: Use surveys, polls, or other data sources to collect information on cultural values and attitudes.
3. Compare cases: Select countries or regions with different cultural profiles and compare their civic engagement, voting behavior, or other relevant outcomes.
4. Test a hypothesis: Use statistical analysis or other methods to test whether your research question is supported by the data.
5. Consider alternative explanations: Think about other factors that might influence the outcome, such as economic conditions or institutional features.

4. Common Student Mistakes

• Misconception: Civic culture is the same as liberal culture.
  • The right view: Civic culture emphasizes civic engagement and trust in institutions, regardless of the political ideology.
• Misconception: Postmaterialism is only relevant in affluent societies.
  • The right view: Postmaterial values can be found in societies with varying levels of economic development, and are influenced by factors like education and social mobility.
• Misconception: The World Values Survey only measures cultural values.
  • The right view: The World Values Survey also collects data on attitudes towards institutions, social norms, and other aspects of cultural life.

5. Exam/Essay Tips

• Multiple-choice questions: Be careful to distinguish between similar concepts, such as civic culture and liberal culture.
• Free-response questions: Use specific examples and data to support your arguments, and be sure to address potential counterarguments.
• Trap distinctions: Be aware of the differences between concepts like pluralism and elitism, or dual federalism and cooperative federalism.

6. Quick Practice Scenario

A president deploys troops without Congressional approval – which constitutional principle is at stake?

Answer: The principle of separation of powers is at stake, as the president is overstepping the authority of Congress.

7. Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Almond & Verba: Civic culture, Parochial culture, Subject culture
• Inglehart: Postmaterialism, World Values Survey
• Civic engagement: Voting, volunteering, community participation
• Separation of powers: Checks and balances, legislative, executive, judicial branches
• Separate but equal: Overturned by Brown v. Board, earlier racist ruling was Plessy v. Ferguson
• Dual federalism: States have primary authority, cooperative federalism emphasizes shared responsibility

8. Further Study Resources

• Textbook: American Government: Stories of a Nation by Brinkley and Dyer
• Khan Academy unit: Civic Engagement and Participation
• YouTube channel: Crash Course Government
• Research article: "The Civic Culture: A Cross-National Comparison" by Gabriel A. Almond and Sidney Verba