Glossary
Agents of Political Socialization
Institutions and groups that play a significant role in transmitting political beliefs and values to individuals, shaping their political views.
Example:
The family, schools, media, and religious institutions are all key agents of political socialization, influencing how citizens come to understand and engage with politics.
Authoritarian Regimes (in socialization)
Political systems that use concerted government pressure, such as propaganda and strict media control, to enforce conforming political beliefs and values among citizens.
Example:
In China, the government's extensive censorship and control over education exemplify how authoritarian regimes actively shape public opinion and limit dissenting views.
Collectivism
A political or social philosophy that emphasizes the importance of the collective group or community over the individual, often prioritizing group goals and harmony.
Example:
China's emphasis on national unity and the common good, often at the expense of individual liberties, reflects a strong tradition of collectivism in its political culture.
Cultural heterogeneity
The presence of diverse cultures, ethnic groups, or belief systems within a single society or nation, contributing to a complex and varied political culture.
Example:
Russia's vast territory and historical expansion have resulted in significant cultural heterogeneity, with numerous ethnic groups and traditions coexisting under a centralized state.
Democratic Regimes (in socialization)
Political systems that generally use less government pressure in political socialization, allowing for greater freedom of expression and diverse beliefs among citizens.
Example:
The United Kingdom, as a democratic regime, allows for a wide range of media outlets and educational approaches, fostering a more pluralistic environment for political socialization.
Geography (as a factor shaping political culture)
The physical features and location of a country that influence its political culture, affecting resource distribution, communication, and historical development.
Example:
Russia's vast size and historical vulnerability to invasion due to its open plains have contributed to a geography-influenced political culture that often prioritizes state security and centralized power.
Han Chinese nationalism
A form of nationalism in China that emphasizes the cultural and ethnic identity of the Han Chinese majority, often promoting their dominance and unity within the state.
Example:
The Chinese government's policies towards ethnic minorities, such as Uyghurs, are often viewed through the lens of Han Chinese nationalism, prioritizing the majority's cultural and political norms.
History (as a factor shaping political culture)
Past events, including revolutions, colonization, or long-standing political practices, that leave lasting imprints on a nation's political values and societal expectations.
Example:
Mexico's long history of patron-clientelism, stemming from its revolutionary past and one-party rule, continues to influence political relationships and public expectations of government services.
Insularity
The state of being isolated or detached, often referring to a country's geographical separation from others, which can influence its political and cultural development.
Example:
The UK's historical insularity as an island nation has contributed to its distinct political evolution and its often cautious approach to continental European integration.
Multi-nationalism
The existence of multiple distinct national identities or ethnic groups within a single state, often leading to diverse political cultures and potential tensions.
Example:
The United Kingdom's political landscape is shaped by multi-nationalism, encompassing distinct identities like English, Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish, each with unique political aspirations.
Noblesse oblige
A concept, historically associated with the British upper class, that implies the responsibility of those with wealth and power to act charitably and generously towards those less fortunate.
Example:
The establishment of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, providing universal healthcare, can be seen as an embodiment of the noblesse oblige principle, reflecting a societal commitment to collective welfare.
Patron-clientelism
A system where political leaders (patrons) provide favors, services, or resources to individuals or groups (clients) in exchange for political support, often outside formal legal channels.
Example:
In Nigeria, a local politician might offer jobs or infrastructure improvements to a community in exchange for their votes, demonstrating patron-clientelism.
Political Culture
The shared attitudes, values, and beliefs of a country's citizens regarding their political system. It influences how people view government and what they expect from it.
Example:
In the UK, a strong sense of political culture emphasizes gradual change and respect for established institutions, rather than revolutionary upheaval.
Political Socialization
The lifelong process through which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and attitudes. It is how political culture is transmitted across generations.
Example:
A child learning about civic duties and national symbols in school is undergoing political socialization, internalizing the values of their country's political system.
Regionalism
A political ideology or movement that focuses on the interests of a particular region or group of regions, often advocating for greater autonomy or distinct policies.
Example:
Mexico's diverse geography and historical development have fostered strong regionalism, leading to significant differences in political priorities and cultural practices across its states.
Religious Traditions (as a factor shaping political culture)
The historical and ongoing influence of religious beliefs and institutions on a country's moral values, societal norms, and political system.
Example:
Iran's religious traditions, particularly Shiism, are deeply intertwined with its political system, leading to a theocratic government where religious law holds supreme authority.
Sharia law
Islamic religious law derived from the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, which can influence legal systems and societal norms in some countries.
Example:
In northern Nigerian states, the implementation of Sharia law alongside secular law reflects the strong influence of religious traditions on the legal and social fabric.
Theocracy
A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god, or where religious law is the supreme law of the land.
Example:
Iran's political system, where the Supreme Leader and Guardian Council hold ultimate authority based on Islamic principles, is a clear example of a theocracy.
Vilayet-e-faqih
The principle of 'guardianship of the jurist' in Iran, which grants ultimate political and religious authority to the Supreme Leader, a senior Islamic cleric.
Example:
Under vilayet-e-faqih, Iran's Supreme Leader has the final say on all major state policies, demonstrating the fusion of religious and political power.