Chapter 2 - Political Culture

What is Political Culture?

• Definition: Political culture is the set of characteristic values, beliefs, and behaviors of a society’s members regarding politics.
• Key Components:
  • It involves the relative weight people assign to competing values (e.g., freedom vs. order, equality vs. national prestige).
  • It includes citizens’ patterns of political participation.
• Core Questions: To understand a political culture, ask:
  • What should politics be about?
  • What behaviors count as political?
  • Do citizens view themselves as bearers of rights or subjects of rule?

Ideologies vs. Political Culture

• Ideology is a narrower concept than political culture.
• Distinction: While every society has a political culture, not every individual has a conscious ideology. Those who are politically active or think about politics regularly are more likely to have an ideology.
• Definition of Ideology: A set of beliefs about how society is organized and how it ought to work.

The First Map: Left vs. Right

Politics is often mapped on a spectrum with the “Left” and “Right,” and the “Center” in between.

1. The Left (Collectivist):
   • Believes government should intervene in the market economy to help the poor and disadvantaged.
   • Argues that unregulated markets favor the affluent and privileged.
2. The Right (Individualist):
   • Believes individuals are responsible for their own success or failure.
   • Views modern government as too big and intrusive.

Blurred Lines

• Libertarians: Generally placed on the Right (economic freedom) but often hold “Left” views on moral issues (pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ+, assisted suicide). They prioritize personal freedom above all.
• Social Conservatives: Placed on the Right regarding social values (oppose abortion/same-sex marriage, tough on crime) but may support “Left” economic intervention (environmental protection, mistrust of financial elites).

The Second Map: The Historic Trio

In Western democracies, three historic ideologies dominate:

1. Contemporary Liberalism (Welfare Liberalism):

   • Role of State: Government must intervene to protect the disadvantaged and provide social programs.
   • Rights: Individual rights must be balanced with minority group rights.
   • Economy: Capitalism should be regulated to curb corporate power.
   • Support Base: Liberal Party, environmental/multicultural groups, public sector unions.

2. Contemporary Conservatism:

   • Role of State: Government should not restructure society for collectivist goals; the market serves individual freedom.
   • Values: Promotes traditional social values (often via the family) and opposes the state replacing the family as a value transmitter.
   • Support Base: Business, private-sector middle class, Conservative Party.

3. Modern Socialism:

   • Role of State: Accepts capitalism but demands an active state to reduce inequality and provide social programs.
   • Focus: Elimination of systemic discrimination (gender, race, ethnicity).
   • Support Base: NDP, union movement, Green Party, academia.

Populism

• Overview: A political approach that appeals to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.
• Sentiment in Canada:
  • High levels of agreement that “elected officials don’t care what people like me think.”
  • Majority support for a “strong leader” to take the country back from the rich/powerful.
• Comparison: Canadian and American populist sentiments are nearly identical regarding distrust of elites and economic rigging.

The Political Ideas of Canadians

Canadian political culture is analyzed under four headings:

1. Community

• Definition: A sense of belonging where people believe there are good reasons to live together.
• Challenges to Canadian Community:
  • French-English Relations: Historically managed by “elite accommodation.” Failures include Conscription Crises (WWI/WWII) and the October Crisis (1970). Quebec independence support has fluctuated (referenda in 1980, 1995).
  • Indigenous Relations: Centers on land claims and self-government. Relationships have occasionally been violent (Oka, Ipperwash). The state has generally not accepted Indigenous sovereignty if it means standing outside Canadian law.

2. Freedom

• Foundational Mottos:
  • USA: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (Declaration of Independence).
  • Canada: “Peace, Order, and good Government” (British North America Act, 1867).
• Reality:
  • Differences in “freedom-loving” between Canada and the US are often overstated; both are distinct from Europe.
  • Example: During the pandemic, Americans were significantly more likely (43%) than Canadians (21%) to view mask mandates as violations of freedom.

3. Equality

• Orientation: Canadians generally value equality more than Americans and favor government action to reduce the wealth gap.
• Group vs. Individual:
  • Canada: Equality of condition (focus on group rights/equality between groups).
  • USA: Equality of opportunity (focus on individuals).
• Mosaic vs. Melting Pot: Canada prides itself on being a “mosaic” (multiculturalism in the Constitution) vs. the US “melting pot.”
• Unexpected Finding: Americans are actually more open to equity hiring (taking race/culture into account) than Canadians.

4. Attitudes Toward the State

• Trust: Historically, Canadians are viewed as more trusting of government (collectivist tradition).
• Current Data:
  • Trust in institutions (Police, Elections Canada, Supreme Court) is higher in Canada than in the US.
  • However, confidence in legislative bodies (Parliament/Congress) is generally low in both.
• Polarization: Americans are more likely to identify with the extreme ends of the ideological spectrum (far left/right) than Canadians, who cluster in the center.

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Definitions

Political Culture The characteristic values, beliefs, and behaviors of a society’s members in relation to politics.

Ideology A set of beliefs about how society is organized and how it ought to work.

Collectivism An ideological belief (Left) that government should intervene in the economy to help the disadvantaged and that unregulated markets favor the privileged.

Individualism An ideological belief (Right) that individuals are responsible for their own success/failure and that government is often too intrusive.

Libertarianism An ideology combining right-wing economic views (free markets) with left-wing social views (personal freedom on moral issues).

Contemporary Liberalism An ideology favoring government intervention to protect the poor, balance rights, and regulate capitalism (also called welfare liberalism).

Contemporary Conservatism An ideology prioritizing individual liberty through the market economy and the preservation of traditional social values.

Modern Socialism An ideology that accepts capitalism but seeks active state intervention to reduce inequality and eliminate systemic discrimination.

Populism A political stance that champions the common person against a perceived elite establishment.

Elite Accommodation A political practice where leaders of different groups work together to manage conflict and govern stable societies (historically used in French-English relations).