Political Culture notes

Defined as "the attitudes, beliefs, values, and norms that people develop toward government and politics."
It reflects the psychological dimension of politics.
While culture is societal, individual attitudes and beliefs contribute to broader patterns observed in surveys.
Three psychological aspects of political culture:
- Cognitive: rational thoughts.
- Emotional: feelings related to politics.
- Judgmental: evaluations or judgments of political events and entities.

Defined as identifiable collectivities with political dimensions beneath national or regional levels.
In Canada, regions or provinces are often examined as sub-cultures.
Other examples include minority nations or ethnic communities (e.g., Quebecois, Aboriginals).
Political parties often cultivate their own subcultures (e.g., Conservatives, Liberals, NDP, Greens).

Highlights the study by Almond and Verba in "The Civic Culture" (1963) which was the first major cross-national comparison of political cultures.
Utilizes empirical data from public opinion surveys to assess individual attitudes, values, and beliefs.
Identifies three key variables:
- Political efficacy: trust in one's ability to influence politics.
- Trust: belief in government and institutions.
- Involvement/participation: civic engagement.
Coined the term “civic culture” reflecting attitudes that foster stable liberal democracies, exemplified by the 1960s USA.

Subsequent cross-national comparisons utilize survey data (e.g., World Values Survey).
Canada presents as a 'polyarchal' culture—democratic and consensual.
Non-democratic cultures can be categorized as:
- Fragmented: conflict-ridden with insufficient consensus.
- Collectivist: communist or authoritarian with insufficient democracy.
Key variables analyzed include trust, participation, and consensus on social values.

Proposed by Inglehart, it discusses shifts from materialist to post-materialist values driven by scarcity and socialization.
Older materialist values prioritize physical and economic security.
In contrast, post-materialist values emphasize self-fulfillment, self-expression, and quality of life.
Observations show a generational shift where post-materialists replace older materialist values in industrialized countries.
Raises the question of whether this trend is reversible.

Explored by Putnam in "Bowling Alone"—suggests a decline of social capital in America.
Key elements like social trust, volunteerism, and cooperation are vital for a functioning democracy but are in decline.
Proposed causes of decline include social, technological, and lifestyle changes, along with demographic shifts.
Critically assesses how relevant this thesis is for Canada and other societies.

Examines collective historical origins of political culture by looking at society holistically.
Hartz's theory suggests national differences can be traced to the settler society origins.
Hartzian fragment theory posits that the USA was shaped by a singular liberal cultural fragment solidified during the American Revolution, rejecting other ideologies.
Suggests the USA’s culture is ‘frozen’ in liberalism, lacking dialectic progression.

English Canada is viewed as a settler society influenced by British and American loyalist immigration.
The dominant cultural fragment is largely liberal but carries a conservatism influenced by loyalist sentiments.
Fragment theory underscores ideological competition between liberalism and conservatism, which has facilitated the emergence of Canadian socialism.

French Canada is characterized as a conservative fragment stemming from feudal France.
Isolation post-British conquest (1759) preserved conservative values and Catholic influence.
The lack of revolutionary influence shaped its values distinctly separate from English Canada, creating a cultural divide.

Regional political cultures can emerge based on distinct settlement patterns and immigration waves.
Fragment theory explains regional political diversity in Canada and its party systems.
Key features:
- Duality: differences between English and French cultures.
- Tory-touched liberalism: predominant culture in English Canada.
- Regional sub-cultures: variations influenced by local political landscapes.

The formative events thesis (Lipset) emphasizes how historical events shape political trajectories.
Key events influencing Canadian political culture:
- The Conquest.
- The counter-revolution.
- Confederation (Weber's 'loaded dice' metaphor reflects path dependence).
Institutions formed during these events reflect and reinforce societal values, leading to stability where change is difficult.

Political culture evolves alongside capitalist development.
As economies evolve, older cultural forms may become obsolete, prompting changes in societal values.
Regional political cultures result from uneven development during capitalist expansion.
Economic transformations cultivate an affluent middle class conducive to new social movements and post-materialist values.

Currently defined by:
- Federalism: strong provincial identities and governments.
- Pluralism: emphasis on liberal values and minority rights.
- Multiculturalism: recognition of a diverse, polyethnic population as central to Canadian identity.
Laws and policies promote the preservation of minority cultures, showing broad public support for multiculturalism and immigration.

The political cultures of Canada and the U.S. present evidence for both convergence and divergence.
Adams and Resnick point out differing values, with higher religiosity and conservatism in the U.S.
Brooks suggests both nations view "freedom" and "equality" differently, attributing Canada's unique identity needs as a factor.
Nevitte sees signs of growth in post-materialist values in both countries, forecasting a trend toward increased secularism, diversity, and social progressivity.