Political Culture: Definition, Types, Components, and Importance

Political culture means the shared values, beliefs, emotions, and expectations people have about the political system. It explains how citizens think, trust, and participate in politics, which helps us compare different countries in comparative politics

This approach uses scientific and empirical research to study society and politics, which makes it an important part of the behavioral school of thought.

The idea of political culture is not completely new. Early thinkers like Aristotle and Montesquieu discussed how people’s beliefs, attitudes, and behavior influence political systems. But in the modern era, Gabriel Almond gave a clear and systematic explanation of what political culture is. His article Comparative Political Systems (1956) introduced this concept strongly into political science.

Later, in 1963, Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba published their famous book The Civic Culture. It was the first detailed and comparative study of types and components of political culture, based on five countries: the USA, the UK, Germany, Mexico, and Italy.

They evaluated political behavior using three orientations:

• Cognitive (knowledge)
• Affective (feelings)
• Evaluative (judgment)

For more insights, check out our post: – The Evolution of Comparative Politics

What is Culture?

Culture means the beliefs, customs, norms, values, and traditions of any society or group. It is simply the way people think, act, behave, and live in a particular place or community.

What is Political Culture?

Political culture refers to the shared political beliefs, values, attitudes, and feelings that people have about:

• Government
• Authority
• Political participation
• Rights and duties

It shows how citizens understand and react to political decisions and how they behave in the political system. These attitudes develop through:

• Family
• Education
• Media
• Religion
• History and social life

So, political culture is connected to general culture, but it focuses only on the political side of people’s mindset. Political culture helps us understand:

• Why do citizens trust or distrust the government
• Why do some societies demand more freedom
• Why do some people obey authority without questioning
• How people participate in politics, such as voting, debating, and protesting

In simple words: Political culture explains how people think about politics and how they behave in the political system. It provides a foundation for:

• The functioning of politics
• The relationship between citizens and the state
• The rules and values that guide political life

Every nation has its own political culture, and even within a nation, different communities may show different political orientations.

Definitions of Political Culture

Here are some important definitions of political culture:

• Macridis:
• Political culture is a structure of values and beliefs in a political system.
• Kavanagh:
• Political culture is a set of values, beliefs, and attitudes within which a political system operates.
• Talcott Parsons:
• Political culture is based on people’s orientation toward political objects.
• Almond and Verba:
• Political culture is a pattern of orientation toward political objects among the members of a nation.

Features of Political Culture

The features of political culture explain how political values develop and operate within a society. These key features help us understand why each country has a different political mindset.

Here are the major features:

1️⃣ Part of General Culture: Political culture is a component of the overall culture of a nation or community. It is influenced by social values, history, and traditions.

2️⃣ Modern Approach in Comparative Politics: It became a major approach in comparative politics during the Behavioral Revolution of the 1950s. Scholars started using scientific methods to study political behavior.

3️⃣ Competes with Other Approaches: Political culture is seen as an alternative to the rational choice and institutional approaches in political science.

4️⃣ Specific to Society:- Each society has its own unique political culture. That is why universal political theories cannot always explain political behavior in every country.

5️⃣ Focus on Cultural Diversity:- It supports ideas like:

• Cultural pluralism
• Cultural relativism
• Multiculturalism
• These show that people from different backgrounds can think differently about politics.

6️⃣ Political Socialization: Political culture is learned through a process called political socialization. Family, education, media, and religion help individuals develop political beliefs.

7️⃣ Different Types Within a Society: Political culture can be categorized based on development and social groups:

• Mature / Developed / Low / Minimal
• Homogeneous / Fragmented
• Secular / Mass / Elite
• Rural / Urban

This shows that political culture is not the same for all people in a country.

Components of Political Culture

Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba explained that political culture is not only about what people know. It also includes what they feel and how they judge the political system. According to them, political culture has three main components:

1️⃣ Cognitive Orientation- This refers to people’s knowledge and understanding of the political system. It includes:

• Awareness of government institutions
• Knowledge about political leaders
• Understanding political rules and decision-making

If people know how elections work, what the constitution says, or how the government functions, that is cognitive political culture.

2️⃣ Affective Orientation- This part focuses on emotions and feelings toward politics. It includes whether people:

• Feel proud of their nation
• Trust their leaders
• Like or dislike government actions

Positive or negative emotional attachment to politics forms the affective component.

3️⃣ Evaluative Orientation: Here, people judge and evaluate political performance. They compare political values with what actually happens in government. This orientation includes:

• Opinions about corruption
• Beliefs about fairness and justice
• Judgments on government decisions

So, evaluative orientation is about whether people think the political system is good or bad and why.

Types of Political Culture

There are three kinds of political culture based on the level of people’s orientation towards the political system. Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba explained these types in their famous study “The Civic Culture” (1963). According to them, political culture can be classified into three ideal types. These are:

1. Parochial political culture

2. Subject political culture

3. Participant Political Culture

1. Parochial Political Culture: Parochial political culture exists where people have very limited knowledge of the national political system. They do not participate in the input process, like voting or political discussions. They also do not understand the output process, such as policy-making and government decisions. Their focus remains only on local issues and traditional authority.

✅ Examples:

• Tribal communities in Africa
• Indigenous groups living in remote forests
• Isolated villages with traditional chiefs and no contact with national politics

In this type of political culture, citizens have no active role in national politics.

2. Subject Political Culture: Subject political culture is found mainly in monarchies or authoritarian systems. People know the political system and government authority. They obey rules, pay taxes, and accept policies. But they do not participate in political input functions such as elections or political debates. Their role is mostly passive and controlled.

✅ Examples:

• People under the Mughal Empire and British rule in rural India
• Citizens in absolute monarchies like Saudi Arabia
• Authoritarian regimes where participation rights are limited

Here, citizens understand politics but are unable to influence the system.

3. Participant Political Culture: Participant political culture exists in democratic political systems. People actively join elections, political campaigns, social movements, and debates. They believe their participation can bring change. Political parties, pressure groups, youth activists, and civil society organizations play a major role in decision-making.

✅ Examples:

• Active political participation in countries like the USA, UK, and India
• Student activism during elections
• Public involvement in policy reforms and protests

In this culture, citizens are fully engaged in shaping governance and political outcomes.

Mixed Political Culture (Civic Culture)

In real life, no country has a purely Parochial, Subject, or Participant political culture. Societies are diverse, and people have different levels of knowledge, interest, and involvement in politics. That is why most nations show a combination of these cultures.

Gabriel Almond introduced the idea of Civic Culture, which means a balanced blend of parochial, subject, and participant orientations. This mixed culture supports democratic stability and helps a political system function smoothly and peacefully.

• 1. Parochial–Subject Culture: In this type, people begin to understand the existence of government and authority. Political awareness is rising, but participation remains low. Citizens still depend more on traditional leaders rather than modern democratic structures. Example: Rural communities where people recognize national leaders but rarely vote or join political activities.
• 2. Subject Participant Culture: Citizens have better awareness and trust in political institutions. They obey laws and follow authority. At the same time, they slowly start participating in elections, policy debates, and public issues. Example: Developing democracies like Brazil or Indonesia, where participation is increasing with education and media growth.
• 3. Parochial Participant Culture: This is the most unstable form. People want to participate actively in politics, but their political knowledge is limited. Their high expectations and low understanding can lead to confusion or aggressive mobilization. Example: Newly formed democracies where citizens vote or protest without clear knowledge of political processes.

Which Mixed Culture Is Best?

Civic Culture (a balanced mix of all three) is considered the most suitable for democracy. In this culture:

• Citizens participate responsibly
• People respect laws and institutions
• Political change happens peacefully and gradually

This balance prevents both authoritarian control and chaotic over-participation, ensuring a stable, efficient, and democratic political system.

Other Classification of Political Culture

Apart from Almond and Verba, many scholars have contributed to the study of political culture with their own classifications.

Samuel Finer categorized political culture based on the level of political development and citizen involvement. He identified four types:

1. Mature Political Culture: Citizens are highly aware of politics and actively participate in democratic processes. Example: Countries with long-standing democratic systems
2. Developed Political Culture: People have good political knowledge, but participation is still improving. Example: Emerging democracies improving political engagement. 
3. Low Political Culture: Political awareness is limited, and public involvement in politics is low. Example: Poor or less educated regions with weak political participation. 
4. Minimal Political Culture: People show almost no interest or connection with the political system. (Example: Isolated and oppressed societies). This classification helps understand the gap between political awareness and participation in different nations.

In 1966, Daniel Elazar provided another perspective by linking political culture with regional history and traditions. He explained three types:

1. Individualist Political Culture: Focuses on personal freedom, competition, and limited government action. Example: Several states in the United States where politics support individual interests
2. Traditionalist Political Culture: Values hierarchy, status, and preservation of older social structures. Example: Southern US states where political authority was traditionally controlled by elites
3. Moralist Political Culture: Encourages public welfare, community participation, and collective responsibility. Example: Northern US states with active civic involvement. Elazar’s approach shows how political culture can differ within the same country based on history and values.

Samuel P. Huntington used the political culture approach on a global level in his famous work “The Clash of Civilizations”. He argued that world politics is shaped mostly by cultural identities like Western, Islamic, Hindu, and Sinic civilizations. According to him, conflicts arise not just from economic or political interests but also from cultural differences and civilizational values.

Foundation of Political Culture

Political culture does not emerge suddenly. It develops slowly over time and is shaped by many factors. The foundation of political culture can be understood through four major elements:

1. Historical Experience: Every society has a unique history. Past events like wars, freedom struggles, revolutions, and political movements shape how people think about politics today. For example, countries that fought for independence often value freedom, nationalism, and democracy more strongly. So, history creates shared political memories that become part of political culture.

2. Geography: Geography also plays a key role. The location, climate, and environment influence people’s lifestyle, economic activities, and social behavior. For example: Island nations may focus more on defense and trade. Mountainous regions often have more localized governance So, the physical environment shapes political attitudes and institutions.

3. Socio-Economic Condition: Economic development, class structure, education level, and technology strongly influence political beliefs. People living in a wealthy and industrial society often support democratic participation and modern values. On the other hand, poor or unequal societies may experience political instability and less trust in government. Thus, social and economic factors build the base of political consciousness.

4. Ethics (Values & Beliefs): Religion, culture, traditions, and moral values guide people’s ideas of what is right or wrong in politics. Ethical beliefs shape:

• Respect for authority
• Attitudes toward corruption
• Role of religion in politics

These values become part of political behavior and collective identity.

Importance of Political Culture

Political culture plays a crucial role in shaping the functioning of political systems and guiding the political behavior of citizens. Here are ten important points on the significance of political culture.

1. Promotes Stability: Political culture helps maintain stability in the political system by creating shared beliefs among people. When citizens agree on basic political values, they are less likely to engage in conflict or violence. For example, the strong democratic political culture in countries like Canada supports peaceful political transitions and reduces instability.
2. Supports Democracy: A healthy political culture encourages people to value democracy, equality, and participation. When citizens believe their vote matters, democratic institutions grow stronger. This can be seen in countries such as India and the United States, where people actively take part in elections and civic life, helping democracy survive and improve.
3. Strengthens Trust: Trust in leaders and government institutions is built through political culture. If people believe the system works fairly, they support policies and cooperate with the government. Sweden is a good example where high trust in governance leads to better political performance and public satisfaction.
4. Guides Behavior: Political culture influences how people behave in the political system. It teaches them to vote, express opinions, and join civic activities with responsibility. For instance, peaceful protests and active voting in New Zealand reflect a positive political behavior shaped by democratic values.
5. Ensures Legitimacy: A government becomes legitimate when people accept its authority and follow its rules willingly. Political culture encourages that acceptance. In Japan, respect for the constitution and democratic institutions ensures that the government is viewed as rightful and credible by citizens.
6. Encourages National Unity: Political culture brings people together even when they belong to different religions, castes, classes, or regions. Shared national values build unity. South Africa’s “Rainbow Nation” identity after apartheid is a strong example of how political culture promoted national integration and harmony.
7. Facilitates Cooperation: Cooperation among citizens, political parties, and institutions becomes easier when they follow common political values. Political culture reduces confrontation and supports compromise. In Germany, coalition governments often work smoothly because political actors value cooperation and consensus.
8. Promotes Respect for Law: Political culture encourages people to follow the rule of law and respect justice. When citizens support legal principles, corruption and illegal actions are reduced. Singapore’s disciplined and law-respecting society shows how strong a political culture can be in maintaining order and fairness.
9. Improves Accountability: A responsible political culture demands transparency from leaders. When people are politically aware, they question wrong decisions and fight against the misuse of power. South Korea provides an example where active citizens regularly push the government to remain accountable and honest.
10. Influences Political Change: Political culture decides how fast or slow political change takes place. When people’s ideas evolve, they demand reforms or modernization of the system. The Arab Spring movement is a clear example where changing political values encouraged citizens to fight for democracy and better governance.
11. Political Culture in India

India has a diverse political culture because of different languages, religions, castes, and regional identities. Here, we can see a mix of parochial, subject, and participant political cultures. Many people actively join elections, debates, and protests, while rural and traditional groups still depend on local leaders. Political socialization in India happens through family, caste groups, education, media, and social movements. This unique political culture supports democratic values and national integration despite its diversity.

Criticism of Political Culture

The political culture approach has contributed a lot to understanding political behavior. But many scholars also highlight its weaknesses. Almond and Powell themselves accepted that this approach has certain limitations. Major criticisms include:

1. Old Idea with a New Name: Critics say that political culture is not a completely new concept. It is simply a new term used for ideas that already existed in sociology and anthropology.
2. Vague and Confusing Definition: Different scholars define political culture differently. Because of this, the concept becomes unclear and difficult to use in research.
3. Unclear Boundaries: It is hard to separate which beliefs and attitudes truly shape political culture and which are just general cultural elements. This creates confusion in measurement.
4. Cause or Result: Political culture may shape political behavior. But behavior can also shape political culture. So, it is unclear whether political culture is the cause of political actions or a result of them.
5. Incomplete Understanding of Political Systems: Political attitudes and values alone cannot fully explain how political systems work. Institutions, leadership, and economic factors also play an important role.
6. Difficult to Study Accurately: People’s feelings and opinions are not always expressed clearly. So, representing the entire nation’s political culture becomes challenging and sometimes misleading.

Conclusion

Political culture plays a very important role in every political system. It shapes how citizens think about government, political issues, leadership, and democracy. People’s political attitudes, beliefs, and values guide their political behavior, like voting, protesting, or supporting policies. A strong and positive political culture helps build trust, stability, and participation in society. It supports democratic development and creates a better relationship between the state and the people. Even though the concept became more popular after the Second World War, today it remains a key part of comparative politics. Political culture truly acts as the foundation of a country’s political life.