3.2 Political Culture
9 min read•december 28, 2022
Isabela Padilha Vilela
kelly-cotton
Isabela Padilha Vilela
kelly-cotton
The focus of this topic has several components.
Political Culture—The collective attitudes, values, and beliefs of the citizenry and the norms of behavior in the political system. It sets expectations about the exercise of power to establish a balance between social order and individual liberty. (definition courtesy of the AP Comparative Government and Politics CED)
Political Socialization—The lifelong process of acquiring one’s beliefs, values, and orientations toward the political system. (definition courtesy of the AP Comparative Government CED)
Political Culture
Political culture is the collection of political beliefs that the government is based on. So for example, in the United States, we value individualism, and our government reflects this with the Constitution and amendments. An example of this is the 10th amendment that states any powers not delegated to the United States belong to the States and/or the people. If a government does not reflect the basic political values of a people, it will have difficulty remaining viable and keeping legitimacy.
What influences political culture? There are multiple factors including geography, religious traditions, and history that form the population’s values and beliefs, about the role of government, the rights of individuals, and the role of individuals in controlling government policymaking. Let’s explore some examples from our course countries.
Comparing Political Culture
| Country | Geography | Religion | History | Influence on role of government/individuals/policy making examples |
| UK | A variety of geographical features have impacted the development of political culture in the UK, here are a few examples: insularity or separation from the continent of Europe. Small Size-limited resources and geography influenced the UK to become an imperial power; no geographical barriers-easy communication and transportation across the UK | Prior to the parliamentary system. the monarchy was selected by divine right. | Noblesse oblige or the duty of the upper classes to take responsibility for the welfare of the lower class. Multi-nationalism England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have all been individual nations in the past, but are united under one government today. Evolution over Revolution- the UK slowly transitioned over time from a monarchy into a parliamentary system through tradition and policy change rather than a written Constitution. | Geography has influenced policy making in many ways, the EU is a perfect example. Even prior to Brexit the UK refused to use the Euro, but rather kept the pound. History of Noblesse obligeHas created a willingness for a welfare state including National Health Services. This also impacted with geography, the UK’s desire for imperialism. |
| Mexico | Numerous impacts/influence. A few examples include:geographical barriers-numerous mountains and desserts separating regions.urban population-Mexico has urbanized rapidly and today about ¾ of all Mexicans live in urban centers. | Until the 1920s the Catholic Church actively participated in politics. Today the political influence of the church has severely declined, however, most citizens are devout Catholics and this greatly influences political values and beliefs | Patron-clientelism can be defined as a system of you scratch my back and I scratch yours between political elites and the constituents. An example would be a region supporting a candidate and voting for that candidate and then the candidate providing jobs, government resources, etc. for that region. Common History-Strong sense of national identification based on a common history, as well as religion, and language. Economic Dependency- A history of being dependent on Spain when a colonial holding, as well as being a Neighbor to the U.S. | Geography because of the numerous mountains and desserts separating regions and therefore regionalism is a major characteristic of the political system. Religion greatly influences political values and beliefs. For instance in Mexico there are only 2 states that allow for abortion, which is strictly forbidden by the Catholic Church, and the other states. This example also illustrates regionalism, as the Federal government allows the states to decide this issue.Economic Dependency-PEMEX is a government-controlled oil company so the government is viewed as being active in the economy or controlling the economy. |
| Nigeria | Geographical barriers a patchwork of a variety of geographies including plateaus and desserts has created distinctive regions. | Religious History is one of conflict between Christianity and Islam and this has greatly influenced political culture. | Patron-clientelism can be defined as a system of you scratch my back and I scratch yours between political elites and the constituents. An example would be a region supporting a candidate and voting for that candidate and then the candidate providing jobs, government resources, etc. for that region. Colonialism-Very greatly influenced by British colonialism. One example would be the state trying to control almost all aspects of life much like the British or subsequent military dictatorships in Nigeria. | example of Religious influence on political culture include the fact that most Muslims generally support Sharia, or religious law as a valid part of political authority, but Christian populations disagree with this. Geographically we see regionalism in politics and this is also why there has been a great deal of patron-clientelism in regions. We can also see the influence of geography on religion, as most Northern states include Sharia law, not Southern states.State control can be seen in a very unique way in that when the citizens of Nigeria feel democracy is not working correctly, the citizens have often urged a military coup d’ etat to recorrect the situation this is a political culture developed as a direct result of the history of state control. |
| Russia | Geography setting has been an influence on political culture in several ways: Russia is the largest country in the world and encompasses many ethnicity and climates. Russia is geographically vulnerable to invasion. | Eastern orthodoxy was linked to the state early in Russia’s history. When Russia became the Soviet Union the Communist Party forbade its citizens from practicing religion | History of the Communist RegimeThe Communist regime instilled in the people an idea of appreciation for equality and similar living standards.NationalityCultural heterogeneity has always been a characteristic of Russian political culture, but Russians tend to categorize others based on their nationality and this can lead to descrimination and stereotypes.SkepticismThe Russian people have a healthy skepticism and disdain for leaders. | example of Religious influence on political culture is that there was no separation of church and state in political culture prior to the Soviet Union and Communist control.Geographical example of influence on political culture would be the development that state is more important than the individual that was a result of the state protecting individuals from invasion.Communist regime’s focus on equality has influenced political culture in modern Russia in that economic or capitalist development is not a focus of political culture. |
| China | Geography has been extremely influential in keeping China isolated for centuries.The geography has limited population growth in the Western portion of the country. Geographic boundaries have created a split between north and south in China. | Confucian ideas. Confucianism believes in hierarchy and respect for authority. Also promotes respect for elders. | Patron-clientelism can be defined as a system of you scratch my back and I scratch yours between political elites and the constituents. Looks a bit different in China than in Mexico for instance. In China it is more about within the party and the relationships with the leaders of the past. In other words trying to attract the supports of leaders who are no longer alive or in power. Historical ErasChina has a long and rich history from the time of the Dynastys to Maoism with each influencing political culture.nationalism identity of Han Chinese- the predominant ehnic group in China goes back to ancient times. There is a great pride in Chinese culture and accomplishments. Western InfluenceHas both been a point of resistance and acceptance in China. | Geography has impacted political culture in many ways but perhaps most importantly is the fact that geography and vast resources mean China is not economically or politically dependent on other nations, it can sustain itself from within.Historical eras have greatly influenced political culture. The first would be lack of protections polticially for those who are not Han Chinese, such as those of Tibetan ethnicity.The second is much like Russia the idea of collectivism from the time of Mao. Collectivism values the community over the individual and this has greatly influenced Chinese political culture. |
| Iran | Geography is comprised of vast desert which has unevenly distributed the population of Iran, with most living in northwestern cities. | Religion and politics are one and the same throughout Iran’s history, no separation of church and state.Shiism and Sharia90% of all Iranians identify themselves as Shiite today. | History of Authoritarianism. Whether under the Shahs or the Supreme Leader.Lack of European colonization. Unlike countries of Asia, Africa, and South America, Iran was never officially colonized by Europeans.NationalismIran has a history of nationalism and Iranian’s have a strong sense of nationalism over individualism. | Religion is an extremely important part of political culture as Iran is a theocracy and the laws of the regime must not violate Sharia law.Authoritarianism has influenced political culture in that Iran’s leaders claimed to be all powerful, but people soon realized that they had little control over their daily lives and that local officials were far more important to their every day political life |
Political Socialization
As a quick reminder, political socialization is the lifelong process of acquiring one’s beliefs, values, and orientations toward the political system. In other words, political socialization is the way that political culture is transmitted. Each individual has a unique experience that defines how they view politics and how they act in their political life. Here are some of the defining factors for an individual's political socialization:
Education/School 📕 - Educational Institutions play a great role in educating citizens about the political system, especially if they include classes on Government.
Family 👪 - Family members also posess a strong influence on an individual's perception of the political system. A family's endorsement of a certain political ideology, or the lack thereof, can shape the way someone interacts with the political system.
Religion 🙏 - Religion also shapes the way people view the political system, either positively or negatively. Religious groups preach different sets of beliefs/ideologies and provide individuals with a perspective of politics that revolves around their own faith.
Media 📺 - The media, including social media, radio, and tv, plays a crucial role in political socialization by selecting issues and transmitting them in a certain manner. The media can also be controlled by the government to shape people's views of the ruling party and the political institutions positively.
How is political socialization different in Democratic vs. Authoritarian countries?
Authoritarian regimes tend to apply more concerted governmental pressures to socialize their citizens around conforming beliefs than do democratic regimes. What this means is that the authoritarian regimes directly use their agents of political socialization to inform political culture. Let’s provide 2 examples:
President Xi of China stated “Children should memorize the core socialist values by heart, have them melt in their hearts, and carve them in their brains.”
Iran and the idea of vilayet-e-faqih, which is shared through political socialization, justify the rule of clergy over the state.
Opposite of Authoritarian Regimes, the more Democratic Regimes often use less pressure to socialize their citizens, if any. Democratic regimes have more freedoms for their citizens, generally, than Authoritarian ones. Remember that Authoritarian regimes have more work to do to keep people's endorsement of the ruling party, and that is why they attempt to have more influence over the media, education curriculums, among other elements of daily life.
Let's examine the case of freedom of religion: In the United Kingdom, there used to be a pressure to join the Church of England from the Crown. However now, Freedom of Religions means that people can practice Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, or many different religions! This allows for less conforming pressures from the government towards the citizens.
Key Terms to Review (36)
10th Amendment
: The 10th Amendment is a part of the United States Constitution that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or to the people.Authoritarianism
: Authoritarianism refers to a form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or small group, who exercise strict control over political institutions and limit individual freedoms. It often lacks checks and balances, leading to limited political participation and suppression of dissent.BREXIT
: BREXIT refers to Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) after voting in favor of leaving in a 2016 referendum. It involves disentangling political, economic, and legal ties with EU institutions.Collectivism
: Collectivism refers to a political ideology or system that prioritizes the needs and goals of the community or society over individual rights and freedoms. It emphasizes cooperation, shared responsibility, and common ownership.Communist Party
: The Communist Party refers to a political party that advocates for the establishment of a communist society, where the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole.Confucianism
: Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system developed by Confucius in ancient China. It emphasizes moral values such as filial piety (respect for parents), loyalty to authority figures, righteousness, benevolence, and proper conduct in interpersonal relationships.Constitution
: A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed.Cultural Heterogeneity
: Cultural heterogeneity refers to the presence of diverse cultural groups within a society, each with its own distinct beliefs, values, traditions, and practices.Divine Right
: The belief that a ruler's authority comes directly from a higher power, such as God, and cannot be questioned by the people.Dynasties
: Dynasties refer to a series of rulers from the same family who rule over a country for an extended period of time. They often bring stability and continuity to a nation's governance.Eastern Orthodoxy
: Eastern Orthodoxy refers to one branch within Christianity that originated in Eastern Europe and has its own distinct traditions, beliefs, and practices separate from Roman Catholicism. It includes churches such as Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and Serbian Orthodox.Economic Dependency
: Economic dependency refers to a situation where one country relies heavily on another country for economic resources, trade, investment, or aid.Education/School 📕
: Education refers to the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes through teaching, training, or research. Schools are educational institutions where students receive formal instruction in various subjects.Evolution over Revolution
: The concept of "evolution over revolution" refers to the idea that gradual and peaceful changes are preferred over sudden and violent upheavals in a political system.Family
: Family members also possess a strong influence on an individual's perception of the political system. A family's endorsement of a certain political ideology, or the lack thereof, can shape the way someone interacts with the political system.Geography
: Geography is the study of physical features, climate patterns, human populations, and how they all interact with each other on Earth's surface.Han Chinese
: Han Chinese refers to the ethnic majority in China, making up over 90% of its population. They have their own distinct culture, language, and traditions.History
: History refers to the study of past events, particularly human activities, societies, and civilizations.Legitimacy
: Legitimacy refers to the acceptance and recognition of a government or political system by its citizens as having the right to rule and exercise authority.Maoism
: Maoism is a political ideology based on the teachings and beliefs of Chinese leader Mao Zedong. It emphasizes revolutionary struggle, class struggle, and egalitarianism.Media
: The media, including social media, radio, and TV plays a crucial role in political socialization by selecting issues and transmitting them in a certain manner. The media can also be controlled by the government to shape people's views of the ruling party and the political institutions positively.Military Coup d'état
: A military coup d'état is the sudden overthrow of a government by members of the armed forces. It usually involves the use of force or threat of force to seize power from existing political leaders.Multi-nationalism
: The presence and influence of multiple nations within one country due to factors such as ethnic diversity or colonial history.National Health Services (NHS)
: The National Health Services (NHS) is a publicly funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom that provides medical services free at point-of-use for all residents.Noblesse Oblige
: Noblesse Oblige refers to the moral obligation of those who are privileged or in positions of power to act with generosity and responsibility towards those who are less fortunate.Parliamentary System
: A parliamentary system is a form of government where executive power is vested in an elected legislature (parliament) which chooses a prime minister or head of government.Patron-clientelism
: Patron-clientelism refers to a political system where powerful individuals or groups provide benefits and resources to less powerful individuals or groups in exchange for loyalty, support, and political favors.PEMEX
: PEMEX refers to Petróleos Mexicanos, which is the state-owned oil company in Mexico. It is one of the largest oil companies in the world and plays a crucial role in Mexico's economy.Political Culture
: Political culture refers to the attitudes, beliefs, values, norms, and expectations that shape citizens' behavior towards politics within a particular country or society.Political Socialization
: Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire their political attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors through interactions with family, peers, education systems, media, and other socializing agents.Religion
: Religion also shapes the way people view the political system, either positively or negatively. Religious groups preach different sets of beliefs/ideologies and provide individuals with a perspective of politics that revolves around their own faith.Religious Traditions
: Religious traditions refer to the beliefs, rituals, and practices that are followed by a particular religious group or community.Sharia Law
: Sharia law is an Islamic legal system derived from religious texts such as the Quran and Hadiths. It governs various aspects of personal conduct, family matters, criminal justice, and economic transactions according to Islamic principles.Shiism
: Shiism is one of the two main branches of Islam (the other being Sunni). It represents those who believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib was Muhammad's rightful successor as the leader of the Muslim community.Theocracy
: A theocracy is a form of government where religious leaders hold both political power and authority. Laws are based on religious principles, and religious texts often serve as the foundation for governance.Vilayet-e-faqih
: Vilayet-e-faqih is an Islamic concept that translates to 'guardianship of the jurist.' It refers to Iran's system where ultimate political authority rests with a religious figure (Supreme Leader) who interprets Islamic law and oversees governmental decisions.3.2 Political Culture
9 min read•december 28, 2022
Isabela Padilha Vilela
kelly-cotton
Isabela Padilha Vilela
kelly-cotton
The focus of this topic has several components.
Political Culture—The collective attitudes, values, and beliefs of the citizenry and the norms of behavior in the political system. It sets expectations about the exercise of power to establish a balance between social order and individual liberty. (definition courtesy of the AP Comparative Government and Politics CED)
Political Socialization—The lifelong process of acquiring one’s beliefs, values, and orientations toward the political system. (definition courtesy of the AP Comparative Government CED)
Political Culture
Political culture is the collection of political beliefs that the government is based on. So for example, in the United States, we value individualism, and our government reflects this with the Constitution and amendments. An example of this is the 10th amendment that states any powers not delegated to the United States belong to the States and/or the people. If a government does not reflect the basic political values of a people, it will have difficulty remaining viable and keeping legitimacy.
What influences political culture? There are multiple factors including geography, religious traditions, and history that form the population’s values and beliefs, about the role of government, the rights of individuals, and the role of individuals in controlling government policymaking. Let’s explore some examples from our course countries.
Comparing Political Culture
| Country | Geography | Religion | History | Influence on role of government/individuals/policy making examples |
| UK | A variety of geographical features have impacted the development of political culture in the UK, here are a few examples: insularity or separation from the continent of Europe. Small Size-limited resources and geography influenced the UK to become an imperial power; no geographical barriers-easy communication and transportation across the UK | Prior to the parliamentary system. the monarchy was selected by divine right. | Noblesse oblige or the duty of the upper classes to take responsibility for the welfare of the lower class. Multi-nationalism England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have all been individual nations in the past, but are united under one government today. Evolution over Revolution- the UK slowly transitioned over time from a monarchy into a parliamentary system through tradition and policy change rather than a written Constitution. | Geography has influenced policy making in many ways, the EU is a perfect example. Even prior to Brexit the UK refused to use the Euro, but rather kept the pound. History of Noblesse obligeHas created a willingness for a welfare state including National Health Services. This also impacted with geography, the UK’s desire for imperialism. |
| Mexico | Numerous impacts/influence. A few examples include:geographical barriers-numerous mountains and desserts separating regions.urban population-Mexico has urbanized rapidly and today about ¾ of all Mexicans live in urban centers. | Until the 1920s the Catholic Church actively participated in politics. Today the political influence of the church has severely declined, however, most citizens are devout Catholics and this greatly influences political values and beliefs | Patron-clientelism can be defined as a system of you scratch my back and I scratch yours between political elites and the constituents. An example would be a region supporting a candidate and voting for that candidate and then the candidate providing jobs, government resources, etc. for that region. Common History-Strong sense of national identification based on a common history, as well as religion, and language. Economic Dependency- A history of being dependent on Spain when a colonial holding, as well as being a Neighbor to the U.S. | Geography because of the numerous mountains and desserts separating regions and therefore regionalism is a major characteristic of the political system. Religion greatly influences political values and beliefs. For instance in Mexico there are only 2 states that allow for abortion, which is strictly forbidden by the Catholic Church, and the other states. This example also illustrates regionalism, as the Federal government allows the states to decide this issue.Economic Dependency-PEMEX is a government-controlled oil company so the government is viewed as being active in the economy or controlling the economy. |
| Nigeria | Geographical barriers a patchwork of a variety of geographies including plateaus and desserts has created distinctive regions. | Religious History is one of conflict between Christianity and Islam and this has greatly influenced political culture. | Patron-clientelism can be defined as a system of you scratch my back and I scratch yours between political elites and the constituents. An example would be a region supporting a candidate and voting for that candidate and then the candidate providing jobs, government resources, etc. for that region. Colonialism-Very greatly influenced by British colonialism. One example would be the state trying to control almost all aspects of life much like the British or subsequent military dictatorships in Nigeria. | example of Religious influence on political culture include the fact that most Muslims generally support Sharia, or religious law as a valid part of political authority, but Christian populations disagree with this. Geographically we see regionalism in politics and this is also why there has been a great deal of patron-clientelism in regions. We can also see the influence of geography on religion, as most Northern states include Sharia law, not Southern states.State control can be seen in a very unique way in that when the citizens of Nigeria feel democracy is not working correctly, the citizens have often urged a military coup d’ etat to recorrect the situation this is a political culture developed as a direct result of the history of state control. |
| Russia | Geography setting has been an influence on political culture in several ways: Russia is the largest country in the world and encompasses many ethnicity and climates. Russia is geographically vulnerable to invasion. | Eastern orthodoxy was linked to the state early in Russia’s history. When Russia became the Soviet Union the Communist Party forbade its citizens from practicing religion | History of the Communist RegimeThe Communist regime instilled in the people an idea of appreciation for equality and similar living standards.NationalityCultural heterogeneity has always been a characteristic of Russian political culture, but Russians tend to categorize others based on their nationality and this can lead to descrimination and stereotypes.SkepticismThe Russian people have a healthy skepticism and disdain for leaders. | example of Religious influence on political culture is that there was no separation of church and state in political culture prior to the Soviet Union and Communist control.Geographical example of influence on political culture would be the development that state is more important than the individual that was a result of the state protecting individuals from invasion.Communist regime’s focus on equality has influenced political culture in modern Russia in that economic or capitalist development is not a focus of political culture. |
| China | Geography has been extremely influential in keeping China isolated for centuries.The geography has limited population growth in the Western portion of the country. Geographic boundaries have created a split between north and south in China. | Confucian ideas. Confucianism believes in hierarchy and respect for authority. Also promotes respect for elders. | Patron-clientelism can be defined as a system of you scratch my back and I scratch yours between political elites and the constituents. Looks a bit different in China than in Mexico for instance. In China it is more about within the party and the relationships with the leaders of the past. In other words trying to attract the supports of leaders who are no longer alive or in power. Historical ErasChina has a long and rich history from the time of the Dynastys to Maoism with each influencing political culture.nationalism identity of Han Chinese- the predominant ehnic group in China goes back to ancient times. There is a great pride in Chinese culture and accomplishments. Western InfluenceHas both been a point of resistance and acceptance in China. | Geography has impacted political culture in many ways but perhaps most importantly is the fact that geography and vast resources mean China is not economically or politically dependent on other nations, it can sustain itself from within.Historical eras have greatly influenced political culture. The first would be lack of protections polticially for those who are not Han Chinese, such as those of Tibetan ethnicity.The second is much like Russia the idea of collectivism from the time of Mao. Collectivism values the community over the individual and this has greatly influenced Chinese political culture. |
| Iran | Geography is comprised of vast desert which has unevenly distributed the population of Iran, with most living in northwestern cities. | Religion and politics are one and the same throughout Iran’s history, no separation of church and state.Shiism and Sharia90% of all Iranians identify themselves as Shiite today. | History of Authoritarianism. Whether under the Shahs or the Supreme Leader.Lack of European colonization. Unlike countries of Asia, Africa, and South America, Iran was never officially colonized by Europeans.NationalismIran has a history of nationalism and Iranian’s have a strong sense of nationalism over individualism. | Religion is an extremely important part of political culture as Iran is a theocracy and the laws of the regime must not violate Sharia law.Authoritarianism has influenced political culture in that Iran’s leaders claimed to be all powerful, but people soon realized that they had little control over their daily lives and that local officials were far more important to their every day political life |
Political Socialization
As a quick reminder, political socialization is the lifelong process of acquiring one’s beliefs, values, and orientations toward the political system. In other words, political socialization is the way that political culture is transmitted. Each individual has a unique experience that defines how they view politics and how they act in their political life. Here are some of the defining factors for an individual's political socialization:
Education/School 📕 - Educational Institutions play a great role in educating citizens about the political system, especially if they include classes on Government.
Family 👪 - Family members also posess a strong influence on an individual's perception of the political system. A family's endorsement of a certain political ideology, or the lack thereof, can shape the way someone interacts with the political system.
Religion 🙏 - Religion also shapes the way people view the political system, either positively or negatively. Religious groups preach different sets of beliefs/ideologies and provide individuals with a perspective of politics that revolves around their own faith.
Media 📺 - The media, including social media, radio, and tv, plays a crucial role in political socialization by selecting issues and transmitting them in a certain manner. The media can also be controlled by the government to shape people's views of the ruling party and the political institutions positively.
How is political socialization different in Democratic vs. Authoritarian countries?
Authoritarian regimes tend to apply more concerted governmental pressures to socialize their citizens around conforming beliefs than do democratic regimes. What this means is that the authoritarian regimes directly use their agents of political socialization to inform political culture. Let’s provide 2 examples:
President Xi of China stated “Children should memorize the core socialist values by heart, have them melt in their hearts, and carve them in their brains.”
Iran and the idea of vilayet-e-faqih, which is shared through political socialization, justify the rule of clergy over the state.
Opposite of Authoritarian Regimes, the more Democratic Regimes often use less pressure to socialize their citizens, if any. Democratic regimes have more freedoms for their citizens, generally, than Authoritarian ones. Remember that Authoritarian regimes have more work to do to keep people's endorsement of the ruling party, and that is why they attempt to have more influence over the media, education curriculums, among other elements of daily life.
Let's examine the case of freedom of religion: In the United Kingdom, there used to be a pressure to join the Church of England from the Crown. However now, Freedom of Religions means that people can practice Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, or many different religions! This allows for less conforming pressures from the government towards the citizens.
Key Terms to Review (36)
10th Amendment
: The 10th Amendment is a part of the United States Constitution that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or to the people.Authoritarianism
: Authoritarianism refers to a form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or small group, who exercise strict control over political institutions and limit individual freedoms. It often lacks checks and balances, leading to limited political participation and suppression of dissent.BREXIT
: BREXIT refers to Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) after voting in favor of leaving in a 2016 referendum. It involves disentangling political, economic, and legal ties with EU institutions.Collectivism
: Collectivism refers to a political ideology or system that prioritizes the needs and goals of the community or society over individual rights and freedoms. It emphasizes cooperation, shared responsibility, and common ownership.Communist Party
: The Communist Party refers to a political party that advocates for the establishment of a communist society, where the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole.Confucianism
: Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system developed by Confucius in ancient China. It emphasizes moral values such as filial piety (respect for parents), loyalty to authority figures, righteousness, benevolence, and proper conduct in interpersonal relationships.Constitution
: A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed.Cultural Heterogeneity
: Cultural heterogeneity refers to the presence of diverse cultural groups within a society, each with its own distinct beliefs, values, traditions, and practices.Divine Right
: The belief that a ruler's authority comes directly from a higher power, such as God, and cannot be questioned by the people.Dynasties
: Dynasties refer to a series of rulers from the same family who rule over a country for an extended period of time. They often bring stability and continuity to a nation's governance.Eastern Orthodoxy
: Eastern Orthodoxy refers to one branch within Christianity that originated in Eastern Europe and has its own distinct traditions, beliefs, and practices separate from Roman Catholicism. It includes churches such as Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and Serbian Orthodox.Economic Dependency
: Economic dependency refers to a situation where one country relies heavily on another country for economic resources, trade, investment, or aid.Education/School 📕
: Education refers to the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes through teaching, training, or research. Schools are educational institutions where students receive formal instruction in various subjects.Evolution over Revolution
: The concept of "evolution over revolution" refers to the idea that gradual and peaceful changes are preferred over sudden and violent upheavals in a political system.Family
: Family members also possess a strong influence on an individual's perception of the political system. A family's endorsement of a certain political ideology, or the lack thereof, can shape the way someone interacts with the political system.Geography
: Geography is the study of physical features, climate patterns, human populations, and how they all interact with each other on Earth's surface.Han Chinese
: Han Chinese refers to the ethnic majority in China, making up over 90% of its population. They have their own distinct culture, language, and traditions.History
: History refers to the study of past events, particularly human activities, societies, and civilizations.Legitimacy
: Legitimacy refers to the acceptance and recognition of a government or political system by its citizens as having the right to rule and exercise authority.Maoism
: Maoism is a political ideology based on the teachings and beliefs of Chinese leader Mao Zedong. It emphasizes revolutionary struggle, class struggle, and egalitarianism.Media
: The media, including social media, radio, and TV plays a crucial role in political socialization by selecting issues and transmitting them in a certain manner. The media can also be controlled by the government to shape people's views of the ruling party and the political institutions positively.Military Coup d'état
: A military coup d'état is the sudden overthrow of a government by members of the armed forces. It usually involves the use of force or threat of force to seize power from existing political leaders.Multi-nationalism
: The presence and influence of multiple nations within one country due to factors such as ethnic diversity or colonial history.National Health Services (NHS)
: The National Health Services (NHS) is a publicly funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom that provides medical services free at point-of-use for all residents.Noblesse Oblige
: Noblesse Oblige refers to the moral obligation of those who are privileged or in positions of power to act with generosity and responsibility towards those who are less fortunate.Parliamentary System
: A parliamentary system is a form of government where executive power is vested in an elected legislature (parliament) which chooses a prime minister or head of government.Patron-clientelism
: Patron-clientelism refers to a political system where powerful individuals or groups provide benefits and resources to less powerful individuals or groups in exchange for loyalty, support, and political favors.PEMEX
: PEMEX refers to Petróleos Mexicanos, which is the state-owned oil company in Mexico. It is one of the largest oil companies in the world and plays a crucial role in Mexico's economy.Political Culture
: Political culture refers to the attitudes, beliefs, values, norms, and expectations that shape citizens' behavior towards politics within a particular country or society.Political Socialization
: Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire their political attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors through interactions with family, peers, education systems, media, and other socializing agents.Religion
: Religion also shapes the way people view the political system, either positively or negatively. Religious groups preach different sets of beliefs/ideologies and provide individuals with a perspective of politics that revolves around their own faith.Religious Traditions
: Religious traditions refer to the beliefs, rituals, and practices that are followed by a particular religious group or community.Sharia Law
: Sharia law is an Islamic legal system derived from religious texts such as the Quran and Hadiths. It governs various aspects of personal conduct, family matters, criminal justice, and economic transactions according to Islamic principles.Shiism
: Shiism is one of the two main branches of Islam (the other being Sunni). It represents those who believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib was Muhammad's rightful successor as the leader of the Muslim community.Theocracy
: A theocracy is a form of government where religious leaders hold both political power and authority. Laws are based on religious principles, and religious texts often serve as the foundation for governance.Vilayet-e-faqih
: Vilayet-e-faqih is an Islamic concept that translates to 'guardianship of the jurist.' It refers to Iran's system where ultimate political authority rests with a religious figure (Supreme Leader) who interprets Islamic law and oversees governmental decisions.
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