Political Culture

 Political culture can be defined as the attitudes, value, sentiments, beliefs, ideas and norms that guides the behaviours of people in a political system. It is the perception of people towards politics. It also deals with the various reasons which conditioned the behaviours of people in a political community. Political culture therefore embraces such things as the history of the political system adopted, people’s reaction to election, method of electing their representatives etc.

Components of Political Culture

1.  Cognitive Orientation: This is the beliefs and knowledge people have with regard to the political system. That is, how the people understand and know their political system and their belief about the government and the role of government official.

 .  Evaluative Orientation: This refers to the extent the people can evaluate or critically assess the functioning of their political system. In such evaluation, the people can be able to assess the individuals that steer the affairs of the state and the efficiency and effectiveness of their policies.

3.  Affective Orientation. This is the feelings, support and loyalty of the people towards the activities and performance of the government.

Determinants of Political Culture

1.   Ethnic differences: The belief system of each tribe has major impact on the people’s political culture. This brings about variation in people’s political behaviours.

2.   Historical Development: The course of historical development of a particular society determines the attitudes, beliefs and values in politics. For instance, the attitudes of Nigeria’s leaders since independence affect the political culture of its citizens.

3.   The Impact of Colonialism: European colonial legacy has great influence on new states in Africa, Asia and Latin America. For instance, Nigeria inherited her federal structure, political beliefs, values and attitudes from Britain.

4.   Socio-economic Structure: Urban and industrialized societies have higher educational standards and are very complex, thus, people here participate more in the decision making process than in rural societies which are rather conservatives.

5.   Political Stability: Constant political instability in the political system brings about disaffection by the populace, consequently, it affect their political values and attitudes in politics.

Political Socialization

This is the process by which the citizens are educated on the values, attitudes and beliefs of the political system. It is also the process by which the values, beliefs, norms, customs and traditions are passed from one generation to another. Through political socialization, the citizens internalize the political culture of a nation. Political culture of the society is transmitted from one generation to another through political socialization.

Agents of Political Socialization

1.   The Family: The home is the first place an individual makes his/her first contact. Children learn through observation, and by observing the political behaviour of their parents, they tend to learn them. Children from politically conscious families tend to be more politically aware and interested in politics.

2.   The school: educational institutions play vital role in the political socialization of the citizens of a country. It is in school that political theories, actors, heroes are read and learned. It is in school that people start to learn and practice how to play politics.

 The Peer group: A person is known by the group he keeps. One’s views including political views are influenced by one’s playmates and friends. Therefore, the peer group of an individual tend to socialize the individual politically.

4.   The Mass Media: The mass media educate, inform and entertain. They include newspaper, radio, television and magazine. The type of education passed on the people by mass media include political education. People are socialized through what they read, listen and watch in the media

5.   Political Parties: One major role political parties play in political socialization is stimulating the political awareness and consciousness of the people. They educate the people through manifestoes, rallies, campaigns etc.

6.   Pressure Groups: Pressure groups offer their members leadership training and educate them on their political rights, duties and obligations.