Unit 4: Political Culture and Participation

Civil Society

the ability of citizens to form groups outside the government’s control

Social capital

the social networks and the norms of relationship, trust, and norms of reciprocity that are crucial to democratic participation 

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Independent, nonprofit groups that work outside of government to address social, political, economic, or environmental issues, often influencing policy, providing services, or promoting civic participation

• Groups not run by the government that work to solve social, political, or environmental problems.

Political culture

a set pf widely held attitudes, values, and beliefs about government and politics

• provides people ways to understand the inner workings of the political system

political socialization

the process through which an individual learns about politics and is taught about society’s common political values and beliefs

• a life long process

• agents include families, schools, peers, religion, the government, and the media

subcultures

distinct political cultures of particular groups

postmaterialism

a set of values in a society in which most citizens are economically secure enough to move beyond immediate economic (materials) concerns to “quality of life” issues like human rights, civil rights, women’s rights, environmentalism, and moral values

individualism

the belief that people should be free to make their own decisions and that the government should not unnecessarily regulate individual behavior or restrict civil liberties

political ideology

an individual’s set of beliefs and values about the government, politics, and policies

• typically, are deeply held, because they include a person's worldview and ideas about the role of government

• varied in their political and economic hybridization

neoliberalism

broader belief in limiting government intervention in the economy (difference from individualism)

• emphasizes freedom

• similar to individualism because both beliefs emphasize freedom

• focuses on free trade, deregulation, eliminating states subsidies, and privatizing business

• believe that government intervention is ineffective and harmful

• government shouldn’t intervene in private lives either

statism

the belief that the state (government) should have strong control over social and economic affairs, often more than individual or private actors.

• emphasizes central authority

communism

a political ideology that advocates state ownership of all property, with the government exercising complete control over the economy

• Karl Marx ideas formed the basis of Communism

• wanted class systems to fade away so everyone was on the same playing field. This would also work by having the government control the economy

• Based off Marx’s idea but ultimately referred to as Marx’s-Lenin’s 

socialism

a political ideology that, depending on the country, sits in varying degrees between neoliberalism and communism

• economic equality is a core value along with belief that government ownership of the major means of production is a way to reduce income inequality within the state

• government heavily intervenes to reduce the growing gap between the economic classes

• individualism still own businesses and industries (steel, energy, coal, and telecommunications) 

• some of the countries in the west often have extensive welfare which is similar to ideas in the US

fascism

a political ideology that relies upon a strong sense of nationalism to support authoritarian rule

• there is strong authoritarian rule, with severe restrictions on civil rights and liberties, including civil societies

• strong focus on ethnic and political majorities (will be on top) —- Nazis during WW2

populism

the ideology that the government should put the rights and interests of the common people above the elites

• idea that the people shouldn’t trust the elites because they are unpatriotic and corrupt

• race, ethnicity, and gender can be powerful sources

coercion

when a government uses forces or threats to pressure people into engaging in political activities that support the regime

• this is a type of political participation

formal political participation

includes activities such as voting in elections and/or referendums, contacting government officials, joining interests’ groups or political parties, working on a campaign, or donating money to a cause or candidate

referendums

policy issues sent but the government to the voters for elective purposes

• used in democratic and authoritarian regimes

• allow citizens a direct pathway into policymaking

• used mostly in state/local politics

informal political participation

includes civil disobedience, protests, and political violence, including terrorism

• civil disobedience

• protests

civil disobedience

internationally breaking the law to call attention to government policies

• occurs in both democratic and authoritarian states

protests

public demonstrations against a policy or in response to an event, often targeting the government

• usually put down by authoritarian governments or people don’t because they know what the response will be 

• democratic is most likely to happen without or sometimes with a permit

political violence

the use of physical force by non-state actors for political ends

• an example of informal political participation

terrorism

political violence or the threat of violence that deliberately targets civilians to influence the behavior and actions of the government

• attacks on civilians are the key distinction between terrorism and other forms of political violence

civil liberties

fundamental rights and freedoms protected from infringements but the government, including freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the right to peaceably assemble

• include due process of law which guarantees protection in the legal system

• the entire bill of rights can’t be taken away from the people

• ex: due process is equal protection under the law (government will not be arbitrary) — rule of law

• government can add protections to groups that are being discriminated against

civil rights

positive actions taken by the government to prevent people from being discriminated against when engaging in fundamental political actions, such as voting

• protects individuals against discrimination based on their membership in a particular group (ethnic and religious minorities)

• not clearly defined

social movements

large, often loosely organized groups organized to advocate for political change

cleavages

divisions within a society that may weaken a society’s strength by emphasizing disagreements and discrepancies between groups

social cleavages

divisons based upon ethnicity, race, religion, class, or territory

political cleavages

divisions based on different ideas about the role of government and goals of policymaking

ethnic groups/ethnicity

united by one or more cultural attributes or a sense of common history (shaped by time)

• used to categorize and characterize seemingly distinct populations

• categorize groups based on a shared culture such as language, traditions, and customs

race

a group of people socially define on the basis of perceived common physical characteristics

• mostly based on perception rather than scientific differences

• based on characteristics like skin color and physical features

• used to categorize and characterize seemingly distinct populations

social class

a group of people who perceive themselves sharing a social status based in a common level of wealth, income type of work, or education