Political Culture Questions Long
Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba, two prominent political scientists, identified three different types of political culture: parochial, subject, and participant.
1. Parochial Political Culture: In a parochial political culture, individuals have limited awareness and involvement in politics. They tend to focus on their immediate community and have little interest or knowledge about national or international politics. This type of political culture is often found in rural and underdeveloped areas where people have limited access to information and political institutions. In parochial political cultures, individuals rely heavily on local leaders and traditional customs to resolve conflicts and make decisions.
2. Subject Political Culture: In a subject political culture, individuals have a higher level of awareness and involvement in politics compared to the parochial culture. However, they still perceive themselves as subjects rather than active participants in the political process. People in subject political cultures tend to have a sense of duty towards the government and expect it to provide for their needs and protect their interests. They may participate in elections and obey laws, but they do not actively engage in political discussions or challenge the authority of the government.
3. Participant Political Culture: In a participant political culture, individuals are highly engaged and actively participate in the political process. They have a strong sense of political efficacy, believing that their actions can influence political outcomes. People in participant political cultures are well-informed about political issues, participate in political discussions, and actively engage in political activities such as voting, joining interest groups, and running for office. They have a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the government and actively work towards shaping public policies.
It is important to note that these types of political culture are not mutually exclusive, and a society can exhibit characteristics of more than one type. Additionally, political culture can evolve and change over time due to various factors such as economic development, technological advancements, and social movements.