▪ FACULTY NAME:

▪ KANHAIYA JHA
▪ BATCH NAME:
▪ PUB. AD. OPTIONAL
▪ SUBJECT:
▪ PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
▪ TOPIC NAME:
▪ POLITICAL CULTURE
▪ DATE OF PRESENTATION:
▪ 24 / 06/ 2024
Unit Section Topic
Philosophical and Salient features and value premises
Constitutional Constitutionalism
2
framework of Political culture
government Bureaucracy and development
POLITICAL CULTURE
 Liberalism

Fascism and
Anarchism
Nazism

Diff . Kind of
Political
attitude

Communism Conservatism

Socialism
 INTRODUCTION

• Political culture is a vital lens for understanding the nuances of Indian

administration. Widely used for comparative studies, it delves into the
intricacies of political behaviour and processes. Rooted in a distinctive
political philosophy, Indian political culture weaves together beliefs, values,
and norms shaping governance.
• This amalgamation forms the essence of India's political landscape,
influencing administrative change and development. It serves as a powerful
force, shaping sociological aspects of political development in India. Beyond
attitudes towards leaders, political culture signifies how individuals perceive
the entire system, including a fundamental belief in its legitimacy.
 MEANING AND DEFINITION
• Understanding the dynamics of political culture necessitates
starting with the concept of 'culture.' The term, derived from
the German word "kultur," denotes a society's distinctive
higher values and enlightenment.
• Originally coined by Edward B. Taylor in 1871, culture
encompasses the complex entirety of knowledge, beliefs,
arts, ethics, morals, laws, traditions, and habits within a
society.
• As a potent tool for human survival, culture is both powerful
and delicate, existing solely in one's mind and subject to
constant change.
• Culture represents the shared psychological orientation of
a society towards its objects. This shared orientation,
forming a distinct pattern, is termed 'Societal Culture,' with
'Political Culture' being a specific facet of this broader
societal culture.
• The term "politics" originates from the Greek word "politikos,"
which means "of, for, or relating to citizens."
• This, in turn, comes from "polis," meaning "city" or "city-state."
• The Greek term "politeia" referred to the affairs of the city-state,
including governance and public affairs.
• Over time, the Latin translation "politica" adopted a similar
meaning, encompassing the activities associated with governance,
political institutions, and public policies.
 Definitions of political culture
• Numerous scholars offer definitions of political culture.
The International Encyclopaedia of the Social Sciences
sees it as attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments shaping the
political process, providing underlying assumptions
and rules governing political behavior.
• Gabriel A Almond and Sidney Verba define political
culture as attitudes toward the political system and
one's role in it.
• Sydney Verba specifies it as a system of beliefs about
political interaction and institutions, fundamental
assumptions about politics. This establishes a denotative
criterion for subsequent political culture studies,
distinguishing it from other political psychological
constructs.
• Moreover, Almond and Verba (1963) have identified five important
dimensions of political culture namely:
o A sense of national identity
o Attitudes towards one’s self as a participant in political life
o Attitudes towards one’s fellow citizens
o Attitudes and expectations regarding governmental output and
performance and,
o Attitudes towards knowledge about the political process of decision
making Top of Form
 OTHER PERSPECTIVES ON POLITICAL CULTURE

• Patrick O’Neil: Defines political culture as societal norms shaping political activities, influencing
dominant ideologies, and providing a unique identity.
• Andrew Heywood: Views political culture as the psychological orientation of a people, reflecting
consistent patterns toward political entities through shared beliefs and values.
• Robert A Dahl: Considers political culture an explanatory factor for varied political opposition
patterns, involving orientations to problem-solving, collective actions, the political system, and others.
• Almond and Powell: Specify political culture as a variable explaining political behavior, covering
orientation patterns, attitudes toward the political system, and one's role in it.
• Lucian Pye: Describes political culture as encompassing attitudes, beliefs, and values shaping the
nature of politics, giving form to political processes.
• Overall, Political culture, a shorthand for the emotional and attitudinal environment, encompasses
beliefs influencing political behaviors, forming distinct patterns and defining a society's political
identity. This approach aids in differentiating political systems, offering insights into comparative
politics.
 DETERMINANTS OF POLITICAL CULTURE

Political Beliefs and • Core convictions shaping political ideology; e.g., belief in
Values: democracy or authoritarianism.

• Decision-making mechanisms, e.g., electoral processes,

Political Process: shaping political culture.

• National symbols like flags or anthems influencing collective

Symbols: political identity.

• Activism, protests, or voting patterns reflecting political

Political Action: engagement.

• It involves - Cognitive, Affective and Evaluative aspects. Cognitive (knowledge of political

system), e.g., awareness of constitutional principles. Affective (feelings towards political
Orientations: objects), e.g., attachment or rejection of political leaders. Evaluative (judgments on
political objects), e.g., opinions on government policies.
 Tradition and • Blend of historical practices and contemporary values; e.g.,
Modernity: tradition influencing attitudes towards gender roles.

• Cultural values impacting political beliefs; e.g., cultural emphasis

Culturalism: on individualism or collectivism.

• Social classes, caste systems, or ethnic divisions shaping political

Societal Structure: perceptions.

• Geographic factors influencing political priorities; e.g., coastal

Geography: regions prioritizing maritime policies.

• Democratic, authoritarian, or hybrid systems shaping political

Form of Governance: culture; e.g., democratic values fostering citizen participation.

• Influence of political, economic, or intellectual elites; e.g.,

Role of the Elites: corporate influence on policymaking.
 • Ethnic diversity impacting political preferences; e.g.,
Ethnic Realities: linguistic diversity influencing regional political dynamics.

• State's role in governance and societal development; e.g., a

Role of State: welfare state promoting social justice.

• Dominant political ideologies; e.g., socialism, liberalism,

Ideologies: conservatism.

• Historical events shaping collective political memory; e.g.,

Histories of State: independence struggles fostering nationalistic sentiment.

Socio-Economic • Economic disparities influencing political attitudes; e.g.,

Structure: class-based political affiliations.
 CLASSIFICATION OF POLITICAL CULTURE
Almond and
Verba's
Typology

Parochial Subject Participant

Political Political Political
Culture Culture Culture
• Parochial Political Culture:
• Within the confines of parochial political culture,
citizens maintain a considerable distance from the
awareness of central government functions, akin to
communities isolated from mainstream influence.
• This cultural framework is marked by a notable
absence of political orientation, resulting in a
diminished grasp of political knowledge, limited
interest, and a reduced level of political
participation.
• This specific political culture finds compatibility
with passive societal structures that lack
specialization and exhibit a general indifference
towards governmental authority.
• Subject Political Culture:
• In the realm of subject political culture, citizens
perceive themselves as mere subjects of the
government, a tendency often observed in
authoritarian systems.
• This inclination signifies a passive orientation, with
individuals being aware of governmental decisions.
• Despite this awareness, individuals within this
culture often lack the confidence to express their
political views, leading to a limited degree of
political participation.
• The subject political culture aligns seamlessly with
centralized authoritarian structures where the
populace is more informed but remains hesitant to
actively engage in political discourse.
• Participant Political Culture:
• Participant political culture is characterized by citizens
who firmly believe in their capacity to contribute to and
be significantly affected by the political system.
• This culture reflects a positive orientation towards
political objects, encouraging active political
engagement.
• Individuals within this culture exhibit heightened levels
of political awareness, expectations, and participation.
• Criticism of authority is not only tolerated but also
encouraged, creating a prevailing positive orientation
toward the political system.
• This culture promotes an environment where citizens
actively shape and influence the political landscape.
 POLITICAL CULTURE: AROUND THE
WORLD
• Anglo–American Political System: The
Anglo-American political system, synonymous
with matured political culture, embodies
consensus, organization, and rational-
calculating attributes.
• It constitutes a homogeneous culture, sharing
values of freedom, mass welfare, and
security. Featuring a secularized political
system, roles within it exhibit individuation and
autonomy.
• With a plural society, diverse parties and
interest groups influence decision-making. The
system incorporates checks and balances,
diffusion of power, and stability of roles.
Political ideologies such as multiculturalism
and libertarianism thrive in this context.
• Continental European Political System:
Representing Western European nations like Italy
and France, the Continental European political
system is marked by highly organized public
participation.
• The political culture is fragmented, harboring
distinctive sub-cultures. Political bargaining is
limited, resulting in competitive dynamics.
• Stability of institutions, democracy, and
protection of human rights are key criteria.
• Various governance forms, including
constitutional monarchies, prevail. The
formation of international organizations,
exemplified by the European Union, is
noteworthy.
• Developing Countries Political System:
• Encompassing post-colonial nations, the political
culture in developing countries witnesses a
superimposition of rulers' culture over subjects.
Over time, new sources of legitimacy emerge, shaping
a single structure multivariate political culture with a
common historical thread. Emphasizing subject
participation through voting rights, these societies
exhibit an agro-industrial fused character.
• Totalitarian Political System: Exemplified by the
Soviet Union and China, the totalitarian political
system is characterized by artificially created
legitimacy. A concentration of power, hierarchy in
bureaucracy, police, and army define this system.
Coercion serves as a hallmark of authority, leading to
limited people participation. Cultural development
follows a single pattern within a unitary system.
POLITICAL CULTURE OF
INDIA
• Political culture in India encompasses attitudes, values, ideologies, and the national character,
reflecting the style and substance of politics. It is the aggregate manifestation of the
psychological and subjective dimensions of politics, shaped by both collective political system
history and individual life histories.
• India's political culture exhibits a dualistic nature, characterized by a coexistence of modern
and traditional, elite and mass-folk, and nationalism and regionalism. Scholars emphasize
the absence of a singular political culture, highlighting the presence of multiple and
heterogeneous political cultures. The contrasting elements, such as modern versus traditional
and elite versus mass, coexist in a complex interplay of confrontation and cooperation.
• The elite political culture, rooted in the British-India political legacy, is often viewed as
defensive.
• British principles of democracy, liberalism, rule of law, autonomy, and judicial supremacy
were embraced by the educated and forward-looking middle and upper class.
• However, these ideas did not fully reach the grassroots, leaving a significant portion of the
local, poor, and rural population with a distinct folk political culture. This mass political
culture interacts with the elite culture, creating a dynamic and multifaceted political landscape
in India.
• Iqbal Narain challenges the prevalent
perception that traditional and mass
political culture hinders people's
commitment and loyalty to the nation.
Contrary to the belief that primordial
values obstruct governance participation,
Narain argues that a traditional or mass
political culture may not necessarily
oppose nationalism. He suggests that with
a fundamental approach, the multi-
ethnicity of the country serves as a tool for
checks and balances, fostering a more
accountable and responsive
administration.
• Rajni Kothari introduces the concept of saintly
political culture, where politics is utilized to
achieve higher social, moral, and ethical
objectives. Highlighting figures like Mahatma
Gandhi and Baba Amte, who used politics to
eradicate untouchability and poverty, Kothari
contrasts this with an unsaintly political culture
prevalent post-1960s. Rajni Kothari
Birth 16 August , 1928
• This unsaintly culture, focused on personal
death 19 January , 2015
goals, hampers governance. However, recent Main compositions Politics in India
years have seen a rise in saintly political culture (1970), Caste in
through civil societies like MKSS and Narmada Indian Politics
(1973), Rethinking
Bachao Andolan, contributing to better Democracy (2005)
governance. etc
awards and titles Right Livelihood
Award (1985)
• Sociologist Andre Beteille characterizes the political culture in
India as ambivalent, marked by a confusing and irresponsive
attitude.
• Indians tend to be cynical towards politics and authorities, often
blaming them for societal failure.
• Beteille notes an irony where people expect those in authority to
bring about positive change while being unwilling to take up
responsibilities themselves.
• He emphasizes that effective administration requires sincere and
honest leadership, urging common people to be participative and
assertive.
• Beteille advocates for the active involvement of voluntary
organizations and civil societies, citing their growth since the
1990s as a positive trend conducive to better administration and
governance.
• MP Singh characterizes the political culture of India as pluralistic and
multicultural, stemming from various factors.
• The presence of major races—Aryan, Dravidian, and Mongoloids—alongside
mixed races contributes to this diversity.
• Additionally, the coexistence of the Vedic Brahminic worldview, the neo-
Hinduvite movement, Hinduism, Islam, and the imprints of British colonial
administration further enrich the pluralistic landscape. Singh contends that
this pluralism is conducive to effective administration.
 IMPACT ON INDIAN ADMINISTRATION
• Bureaucratic Culture:
• The political culture of India significantly influences the bureaucratic landscape. The behavior and
attitudes of bureaucrats are shaped by the prevailing political ethos. The balance between hierarchical
structures and responsive governance is a key aspect.
• In a culture emphasizing authority and hierarchy, bureaucrats may prioritize adherence to established
structures, while in a more participative political culture, responsiveness to citizens becomes crucial.
• Corruption and lack of Accountability:
• A culture that tolerates or normalizes corrupt practices may lead to a higher incidence of
corruption among bureaucrats.
• Conversely, a culture emphasizing accountability and transparency can act as a deterrent.
• Analyzing the impact involves understanding how deeply ingrained practices align with or deviate
from the political culture.
• Citizen Expectations and Administration:
• In a participative and responsive political culture, citizens may expect a more engaged and accessible
administration. Understanding and addressing diverse citizen demands become essential in meeting the
expectations shaped by the political climate.
• The challenges lie in balancing varied expectations, especially in a multicultural and pluralistic society like
India. Effective administration requires adapting to evolving political cultures, fostering open
communication channels, and incorporating citizen feedback to align service delivery with their
expectations.
• Public Service Delivery:
• In a culture that prioritizes citizen-centric governance, there may be a focus on improving service quality,
accessibility, and responsiveness.
• Conversely, in a culture where bureaucracy is perceived as an extension of political power, service
delivery may be influenced by political considerations.
• Policy Formulation and Implementation:
• The formulation and implementation of policies are deeply intertwined with political
culture. A culture that values inclusivity and citizen participation may lead to more
consultative policy processes. Conversely, a hierarchical or centralized political
culture might result in top-down policy decisions. Understanding the alignment
between political culture and policy dynamics helps assess the legitimacy and
acceptance of policies among citizens.
• Institutional Resilience:
• Political culture impacts the resilience of institutions in the face of challenges.
Institutions may either resist or adapt to changes based on the prevailing political
culture.
• E-Governance and Technological Adoption:
• The degree of technological adoption in administrative processes is influenced by
the prevailing political culture.
• A culture that embraces innovation and values efficiency may lead to widespread
adoption of e-governance initiatives.
• Legal Framework and Judicial Independence:
• The legal framework and judicial independence are critical aspects influenced by
political culture. A culture that upholds the rule of law and respects judicial
independence fosters a robust legal system.
• Conversely, a culture that undermines these principles may lead to challenges in
upholding justice.
 CONCLUSION
• In the intricate interplay of political culture and Indian administration, the unfolding
dynamics reveal crucial dimensions. The impact of youth engagement, characterized by
shifting values and amplified through social media, is reshaping political discourse.
Simultaneously, globalization introduces the Indian administrative system to diverse
global political cultures.
• Navigating these transformations requires a responsive
administrative framework, one that seamlessly aligns with the
evolving values of Indian society.
• Striking a delicate balance between tradition and innovation
becomes imperative. This challenge extends beyond mere
adaptation; it necessitates leadership, showcasing the adaptability
and foresight crucial for guiding Indian administration into a future
molded by its rich political culture and the ever-changing currents
of the world.