Political Socialization and Influences

1. Political Socialization and Influences

2. Political Culture • These dilemmas are the result of Political Culture • The widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of its people about politics • These beliefs derive from the country’s traditions and help to define the relationship of citizens to their government and to each other.

3. Political Culture, cont… • Political Culture is usually based on three things: race/ethnicity, religion, and shared history of nation • Irish political culture, therefore, is based on: • Their views on govt and politics are based on these shared traits. • Does the US have a shared race/ethnicity, religion, or history? • Not at all. Americans are all races and religions, etc.

4. American Political Culture • Since the US doesn’t have those traditional shared elements, the Founding Fathers had to find another way to unify the diverse colonists during and after the Revolution • Decided that the best way to do that was to identify a set of principles that could unify all Americans • They began to outline these principles in the Declaration of Independence • In order to “be” an American, all you have to do is be committed to these principles

5. Principles of American Political Culture • Liberty • Individuals should be free to act as they choose • Unsettled land fostered freedom through migration • Many fled Europe to escape religious persecution • Individualism • The individual is paramount; government is secondary • Government’s role is to serve the people • Tocqueville: Americans’ chief aim is to “remain their own masters”

6. Principles of American Political Culture, cont… • Equality • European aristocratic privilege versus American equal treatment under the law • Perplexing ideal in the early years of the nation: Some were free while others were enslaved • Differing opinions on the meaning of equality persist • Self-government • American colonials had substantial self-determination • Vision of a self governing nation with powers “…from the consent of the governed”

7. Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the People’s Voice Chapter 6:

8. Public Opinion and Political Socialization • While it may seem weird that we are jumping from Ch. 1 to Ch. 6, I promise it makes sense: • Only in a democracy (govt type) does public opinion matter to those in power • And political culture is largely passed on throughout society through the process of political socialization

9. Citizens’ attitudes about political issues, leaders, institutions, and events • Politically relevant opinions held by ordinary citizens that they express openly

10. Attitude • a specific preference or view about a particular issue, personality (political leader) or event

11. Values (or beliefs) • Basic principles that shape a person’s opinions about political issues and events • The basis for your attitudes and opinions • Often religious in nature, but not always • Can be humanistic/non-religious ethical values as well

12. Political Ideology • These values and beliefs often lead to a political ideology • A cohesive set of beliefs that forms a general philosophy about the role of government • Few Americans have a true political ideology • Most have ideological leanings • Liberal • Conservative • Libertarian • Populist/Communitarian To find out which way you lean ideologically, take the world’s smallest political quiz (10 short questions) https://www.theadvocates.org/quiz/quiz.php

13. Political Ideology, cont… • It is important to remember that Political Ideology ≠ Political Party • Conservative ≠ Republican • Liberal ≠ Democrat • Party identification: emotional loyalty to a political party; not formal membership • Major shifts in loyalty rare • Usually in response to a major event • Can lead to selective perception

14. Induction of individuals into the political culture Method by which people form their political opinions Political Socialization

15. Political Socialization, cont… • Political outlooks are influenced most by childhood learning • Earliest influences are the most important and have the longest lasting influence • The effect is cumulative • And reinforcing – your religion is largely determined by your family, etc.

16. Primary Agents of Socialization • Family • Most important and influential agent of socialization • They “get to you first” and you are dependent on your family for most of your young life • Also spend most of your time with them • Most people tend to adhere to the same political ideology and political party as their parents • There are always exceptions, of course

17. Primary Agents, cont… • School • Can be reinforcing with other agents depending on your type of schooling • If you went to a religious school or were home-schooled, this would help to reinforce the lessons learned from parents and religion • More critical examination of American history in higher grades and in college

18. Primary Agents, cont… • Religion • The textbook uses the term “church,” but not all religious people go to church, so I prefer the term religion instead • Usually reinforcing with the family agent – very few kids break with their parents and join a different religion • Scholars have not studied the effects of religion as well as schools or family, but it is a powerful influence

19. Secondary Agents of Socialization • These agents tend to have an influence later in a person’s life • As a result, they are less influential • Secondary Agents: • Peers • Your friends can help to challenge or reinforce your views • The Media • Tend to reinforce one’s views • People access different media depending on their views • Political Leaders • Important leaders, like the president, can change one’s views • Political Events • Major events like the Great Depression, Vietnam, Watergate, 9/11, and the ‘08 Economic Crisis can fundamentally change and influence one’s views

20. Other Secondary Agents • Economic class • Group Affiliations – clubs, etc. • Region • Race and ethnicity • Gender • Generations and age • Each of these factors influence and affect how one sees the world and political issues

22. Pol. Ideology and Socialization