1. Political Culture & Political Ideologies
Types of Political Culture
Political Ideology

2. Introduction
Historic evolution of political traditions shape a country’s concept of who has authority to rule, who is legitimate power
Evolution can be gradual (UK) or forced (Iran)
Political Culture: collection of political beliefs, values, practices and institutions
If society values individualism then the gov’t will generally reflect that value
If a gov’t doesn’t value basic political values of the people, it will have difficulty remaining viable

3. Intro cont’
Social capital: amount of reciprocity and trust that exists among citizens, and between citizens and state
Societies w/ low amounts of social capital may be more inclined toward authoritarianism and anti-individual gov’ts
Some argue that Islam is incompatible with democracy because they emphasize subservience
On other hand, democracy has flourished in India, South Africa and Turkey

4. Types of Political Culture
Consensus political culture:
Citizens may disagree on some political processes, but agree on how decisions are made or how problems are solved
By and large, consensus political culture accepts both legitimacy or the regime & solutions to major problems
Conflictual political culture:
Citizens are sharply divided, often on legitimacy and how to solve problems
Hard to come to conclusions when citizens agree or disagree on basics like capitalism v. communism
Religious differences may also threaten the legitimacy or stability of a regime
Political subcultures may arise; divisions will be so deep that gov’t will struggle to function properly

5. Political Ideologies
Political ideologies: political culture shapes political ideologies; ideologies are sets of political values held by individuals regarding the basic goals of gov’t & politics
Liberalism
Emphasis on individual political and economic freedom
Not the stereotype that liberalism has in the U.S.
Liberalism is the broad ideology in many democratized countries
Liberals seek to:
Freedom for all people
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
Freedom of association
People also have right to disagree with gov’t decisions and leaders
English riots
PM Cameron’s speech on English riots
PM Cameron on police powers during the English riots
English response to riots

6. Political Ideologies Communism Communists:
Technically speaking- equality is valued over freedom
Liberal democracies value equal opportunity but tolerate inequality in society and economy
Communists:
reject the notion that personal freedom equals prosperity
argue that liberal democracies re created by the wealthy to protect the wealthy
Advocate a takeover of all resources by the state in order to eliminate inequalities and exploitation
Argue that private ownership should be abolished and needs of state are more important than society as a whole

7. Political Ideologies Socialism:
Shares value of equality with communism but influenced by liberal value of freedom
Accepts and promotes private property/ownership and free market
believe the state has a strong role to play in regulating economy and providing benefits to the public
Benefits ensure some measure of equality

8. Political Ideologies Fascism:
Confused w/ communism because both devalue the idea of individual freedom
Fascism rejects the value of equality, instead people exist in degrees of inferiority and superiority
State has the right and responsibility to mold the society and economy
The regime is authoritarian and can determine who is superior and who is inferior

9. Political Ideologies Religions: Important to group identity
Religion serves as a basis for interest groups and volunteer associations within society
Britain has an official religion, but their society is largely secularized- religious and political leaders are not the same
Iran bases its political system on Shia Islam
China has suppressed religious movements
In Nigeria sharia Law is legal in the Muslim, but not in the Christian south.

10. Conclusions
No matter how we categorize political cultures, they are constantly changing
Political values and beliefs tend to endure and typically political culture has shaped political systems
Political ideologies also play the key role in shaping political culture