Culture, Identity, and Political Culture: Lecture Notes
Identity, Beliefs, and Behavior
Central claim: We don’t all think the same way or act the same way; identity is shaped by what we identify with, what we believe, and what we value.
What you believe, what you identify with, and what you value condition your behavior.
People with different identities/beliefs may act differently in the same situation.
Beliefs and values drive behavior across controversial topics (e.g., death penalty, abortion).
Whether you support the death penalty or abortion is tied to your identity, beliefs, and values, not a momentary arbitrary choice.
“In one word, that’s our identity.”
Each person’s identity arises from the combination of what they identify with, believe, and value.
Identities are not arbitrary or mysterious; they are embedded in a larger social container: culture.
Individual identities are contained in and shaped by the culture of the society you live in.
Culture as the container: the “pot” analogy
We are all in one big pot called culture; our identities are inside that pot.
The culture of our society partially shapes our identities.
Socialization: culture as a major contributor to identity
Culture is a major contributor to what we believe and value and how we act.
However, culture is not the sole determinant; there are other contributors to socialization and identity.
What is identity?
Identity emerges from a combination of beliefs, values, and what you identify with.
It is shaped by broader social forces and not merely personal whim.
What is Culture?
Culture defined (for purposes of this course):
The pattern of beliefs and behaviors of a people or grouping of people.
A recurring pattern of beliefs and behaviors shared by a community.
Culture includes core elements such as:
The place of the family in society, and the role of family.
The role and place of religion.
The influence of economics and politics on behavior and beliefs.
Culture is expressed and reflected in tangible and intangible forms around us:
Architecture and built environment.
Art forms and various cultural expressions.
Everyday practices and social norms.
Culture is widespread and pervasive: it is everywhere in society.
People are born into a pre-existing set of cultural patterns; those patterns partially shape what they become.
Example highlighted: someone born in Canada will not have the same identity as someone born in Botswana, due to differing value systems and patterns of beliefs.
The general definition of culture is broad and contested in the social sciences, but for this course, we focus on:
The pattern of beliefs and behavior of a people or grouping, including family, religion, economics, and politics.
Socialization: How Culture Shapes Us
Culture’s influence on identity comes through socialization:
The cultural patterns you inherit contribute to your beliefs and values.
Socialization is the mechanism through which culture shapes individuals.
Culture is a major, but not exclusive, driver of identity; other factors contribute to who you become.
Understanding socialization helps explain differences in attitudes and behavior across societies.
Political Culture: Culture and Politics
Political culture is the subset of culture dealing specifically with politics and government.
It comprises the patterns of beliefs and behaviors that communities hold about politics and government.
Values and beliefs within a political culture are typically widely shared and accepted by members of that society or group.
Why study political culture?
It helps explain why different societies behave differently in political processes (e.g., protests, compliance, reform).
It sheds light on how citizens think about authority, legitimacy, and political obligations.
Political culture as an explanatory tool for political outcomes:
How cultures shape expectations about government and policy implementation.
How cultural norms influence the likelihood of protests, debates, and acceptance of government decisions.
Illustrative Comparisons: France vs. Canada (Protest and Compliance Patterns)
France’s protest culture:
A stronger tradition of street protests and direct, collective action against government policies.
Protests are a common means of political expression and pressure.
Canada’s protest/participation pattern:
Tends to involve more deliberation, debate, and eventual acceptance after process and negotiation.
People may complain or voice concerns during debate, but policy adoption often proceeds after discussion and compromise.
These patterns illustrate different political cultures:
The French pattern reflects a political culture with lower tolerance for certain political decisions and a higher propensity to mobilize publicly.
The Canadian pattern reflects a political culture oriented toward negotiation, gradual change, and acceptance after debate.
The differences in protest culture and responses to government action provide insight into why governance and policy adoption unfold differently across societies.
Why Political Culture Matters for Governance and State Form
Political culture can help explain why some places develop democratic forms of government while others become more authoritarian or dictatorial.
The shared beliefs and behaviors about politics influence the functioning of institutions, legitimacy, and citizen engagement.
Cultural patterns shape expectations about what government should do, how power is exercised, and how citizens participate in political life.
By examining political culture, we can better understand political stability, reform trajectories, and resistance to change.
Implications and Takeaways
Ethical and philosophical implications:
Respect for cultural differences and recognition of diverse political norms.
Tension between universal human rights and culturally specific political practices.
Critical reflection on whether certain cultural patterns enable or restrict freedom, equality, and justice.
Practical implications for policymakers and educators:
Policy design and reform must take political culture into account to be effective and legitimate.
Civic education and socialization processes can influence political engagement and tolerance.
Critical questions to consider:
How does your society’s political culture shape what is considered acceptable political action?
In what ways can political culture adapt to promote more inclusive and just governance?
How do differences in political culture affect international cooperation and conflict?
Hypothetical scenario prompts for study preparation:
If a country values direct protest highly, how might that affect policy negotiation and legitimacy?
If a country emphasizes gradual reform and debate, what are the implications for rapid responses to crises?
Summary takeaway:
Our identities are not formed in a vacuum; they are embedded in and shaped by culture and socialization, with political culture providing a lens to understand political behavior and governance across societies.
Key Terms and Concepts
Identity: The set of beliefs, values, and identifications that shape how a person sees themselves and their place in society.
Culture: The pattern of beliefs and behavior of a people or grouping; includes family, religion, economics, politics; expressed in architecture, art, and daily life.
Socialization: The process by which culture influences individuals and shapes their beliefs, values, and behaviors.
Political Culture: The subset of culture dealing with politics and government; shared beliefs and behaviors about political life.
Democracy vs. Authoritarianism: Forms of government that can be analyzed through the lens of political culture and societal patterns of political beliefs and behavior.
Protests and Civic Engagement: Expressions of political culture that reveal how societies respond to political decisions and policy changes.
Universal vs. Cultural Norms: The tension between universally recognized rights and culture-specific beliefs about politics and governance.