The Diverse Political Culture - Essay Example

? Question: To what extent does the concept of a “Political Culture” give a satisfactory explanation for the different levels of political participation found in case study countries? Introduction Political culture is based on citizens’ attitude to politics of their country (Clark and Vincent Hoffmann-Martinot, 1998). Political participation usually describes the level of social involvement of citizens in a political life of their country. This concept doesn’t only refer to participation in voting or having membership of a certain political party. It should be considered in a broader context. Thus, for example participation and activities in sports or female organizations should be also considered as political participation. This idea can be supported by the fact that all kinds of political and social organizations function in a political context of the country (Clark and Vincent Hoffmann-Martinot, 1998); they have administrative regulation and active social activities performed by their participants. Therefore political culture is a wide concept. In order to consider it with regard to political participation, we’ll focus our attention on political processes in three case study countries: USA, Russia and France. The main claim which will be developed in this research paper is that political events, socio-economic changes in these countries determine a context of political culture. A diverse political culture of the chosen countries, historical background and peculiarities of countries’ development is considered as influential factors of both political culture and political participation in America, Russia and France. America America is generally considered to be the most democratic country. Two hundred years were devoted to the development of democratic process in this country. America is well-known for overall obliged democratic principles and in spite of numerous arguments, this country will hardly loose heights of its democratic principles. America underlines the role of an individual in the development of the country on different levels. Active participation in political and social life of Americans witnesses that this nation wants to reach success of every individual thus reaching success of the whole nation (Dye and Zeigler, 2008). Consequently, the most important values for Americans are: Declaration of Independence which propagates liberty and overall happiness, equality, self-government (i.e. “of the people, by the people, and for the people”) (Dye, 1994); propagation of individualistic success and respect to diversity. American nation is being developed in compliance with democratic principles, constitutionalism and capitalism. Consequently, there is direct delimitation between political, economic and social issues in America. This country propagates equal participation on different levels of country’s life. It can be supported by the fact that Americans actively participate in the voting process, they are active participants of social organizations and there is a high spirit of voluntarism in America. All these facts prove that political participation of American citizens coincides with propagated principles of liberty, independence, democracy, and respect to diversity. All this happens because of rich historical background of America: an intermixture of different cultures made Americans comply with different traditions, customs and respect different nations. Democratic principles are another ideal which America has been developing from the day of its foundation. Therefore, American nation respects and follows national politics, being an active participant in all spheres of country’s life. Therefore political culture of this country creates a favorable atmosphere for individual’s perfection and development (Kaid, Gerstlae and Sanders, 1991). A voluntary striving of the nation to the welfare of America proves the fact that citizens of the country respect America and work for the favor of their native country (Kernen, Beat, 2004). Russia Russia has been developed under conditions of complicated political context for hundreds of years. The rulers of this country have always rushed to authoritarian regime. At times of Tsar’s ruling it was clear that there is only one authoritarian ruler, a class of elite and poor class. After Revolution when Tsar was substituted by communists, they were authoritarians too. Nevertheless this ruling class scared off Russian nation and instilled false principles of equality. A modern political government of Russia underlines prevalence of order and security of the country over individual’s freedoms (Kernen, Beat, 2004). A currently propagated policy of ‘law and order’ reveals the hidden sense of this policy, i.e. country’s security, a hidden tendency to establish a strong state, i.e. both tsarist Russia and former Soviet Union with a strong leader able to establish country’s control (Tismaneanu, Vladimir, 1995). Currently, political culture of Russia, which is "less conducive to liberal democratic development" tending to autocratic regime (Kernen 2004, p. 85). Political participants of this country, i.e. the majority of voters, opposes towards the fact that “the four parliamentary elections have been stepping stones towards the consolidation of a new form of Russian authoritarianism that is interspersed with some important democratic elements” (Kernen 2004, p. 86). Democracy is only a ghost politics currently. A lot of efforts were made to establish this politics, but bureaucratic machine always undermines democratic basis in this country. It is evident that Russia had never experienced real democracy. Even when there was a chance to reestablish politics of a former Soviet Union, in 1993 "second post-communist Russian republic" was established (Tismaneanu, Vladimir, 1995). At this point we can draw parallels with the 5th Republic of France (Kernen, 2004). “The following principles can hardly be named democratic: the President of Russia rules by decree (Article 90) and control legislation issued by the Duma (Articles 105 and 107)” (Kernen, 2004). Articles 55 and 56 specify that individual rights and liberties may be restricted in the name of protection of "the fundamentals of the constitutional system, morality, health, rights and lawful interests of other persons," and "for ensuring the defense of the country and state security" (Siemens 2002, p. 302). Attempts of established political parties of 90s to propagate democratic principles failed. Russian nation has always been scared by its political leaders to accept authoritarian regime as the only one possible. Currently, there is a slight shift of an image of country’s leader: from autocratic to a ‘strong-hand’ leader (Petro, 1997; Siemens, 2002). Political participation in Russia, i.e. social organizations and political parties’ membership next to voting participation is lower than in USA. It can be explained by a comparatively weaker development of political culture in Russia than in USA. Russian nation has been always scared off by its rulers. Living conditions in Russia leave much to be desired…Consequently, Russians have no intention to take an active part in political life of their country (Kernen, Beat, 2004). France Drawing parallels between Russian and French political systems is a perfect chance to discuss political culture in these countries and political participation of the citizens in these countries. The government in France is a combination of presidential and parliamentary systems (Boulle 2001). Therefore political culture in this country is rich, because it has been developed on diverse historical background. French political culture is being developed under influence of economic, social factors and geographical position of France (French Political culture). Moreover, social and economic factors exert essential influence on political culture due to a social and economic gap, which exists between Parisiens and the rest of the country; between urban and rural dwellers (Kernen, Beat, 2004). History of France is highly respected by its citizens. Frenchmen have always strived for facilitation of absolutism. The roots of current distrust of government and politics can be found in French Revolution when the conflict between monarchists and republicans occurred. “The nation tended to think that centralized government can hardly be trusted at the time when citizens have to actively participate in political life of the country” (French Political Culture). Generally, political culture of France has a spirit of nationalism. A strong trigger of political system in France is a desire to have a right to disagree, i.e. division into "left" and "right" wings. This tendency is deeply rooted in the French Revolution and the same principle is relevant nowadays (Kaid, Gerstlae and Sanders, 1991). Nevertheless politics in France has always needed a strong charismatic leader (French Political culture). Consequently, political participation of French citizens is created under a spirit of a split nature of attitude to different political processes. Therefore Frenchmen are active participants of political life of the country. Political systems of France and Russia have much in common though citizens in Russia are not as much concerned about their historical background as Frenchmen (Tismaneanu, 1995). Active participation of Frenchmen in political culture of their country is explained by historical traditions of citizens’ active participation and their influence on political situation in the country. Conclusion The main claim which is developed in this research paper is that political events, socio-economic changes in these countries determine a context of political culture (Boulle, Pierre H., 2001). As far as we can see, political culture of every country is directly connected with citizens’ attitude to government and conducted politics of their country. Political culture is based on citizens’ attitude to politics of their country (Boulle, Pierre H., 2001). Political participation usually describes the level of social involvement of citizens in a political life of their country. A concept of political culture should be considered in a wider context. Citizens’ active participation in political and social organizations of their country creates a political culture. Participation and activities in sports or female organizations should be also considered as political participation A concept of political culture is directly connected with political participation (Boulle, Pierre H., 2001). On the basis of three case study countries, USA, Russia and France, it was find out that the highest level of political participation is in America. Democratic principles, liberty and individual’s interests are of high importance in America (Boulle, Pierre H., 2001). The most important values for Americans are: Declaration of Independence which propagates liberty and overall happiness, equality, self-government Democratic principles are the ideal, which America has been developing from the day of its foundation. .Russian and French political cultures have much in common: delimitation of ‘right’ and ‘left’ political wings, historical context of constant attempts to impose authoritarian power on France and Russia instill in nations of these countries principles of constant fight against a current power (Boulle, Pierre H., 2001). The rulers of Russia have always rushed to authoritarian regime. The government in France is a combination of presidential and parliamentary systems. Neither France nor Russia propagates priority of democratic principles and individual’s freedoms, but in America a respect towards every citizen of the country has been developed from the day of country’s establishment. Consequently, a rich political culture in America is created under the influence of the following factors: better living conditions than in France and Russia; propagation of democratic principles, liberties and individual’s freedoms (Kernen, Beat, 2004). Therefore it is clearly seen, that political culture is created in a social, economic and political context of the country; political culture is developed under the influence of citizens’ attitude to the government of their country, internal politics etc. Works cited 1. Boulle, Pierre H., 2001. There Are No Slaves in France: The Political Culture of Race and Slavery in the Ancient Regime. French Politics, Culture and Society, 19 (1), p. 98.  2. Dye, Thomas R., 1994. Politics in America, Prentice Hall. 3. Dye, T. and Harmon Zeigler, 2008. The Irony of Democracy: An Uncommon Introduction to American Politics. Cengage Learning. 4. French Political culture. [online]. Guardianco.uk. Wednesday 1 October 2003. Available from: [Accessed January 29 2011]. 5. Kaid, Lynda Lee, Jacques Gerstlae, and Keith R. Sanders, eds., 1991. Mediated Politics in Two Cultures: Presidential Campaigning in the United States and France. New York: Praeger. 6. Kernen, Beat, 2004. Putin and the Parliamentary Elections in Russia: The Confluence (Slijanie) of Russian Political Culture and Leadership. East European Quarterly, 38 (1), p. 85+.  7. Petro, Nicolai N., 1997. The Rebirth of Russian Democracy: An Interpretation of Political Culture. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 8. Siemens, Elena, 2002. The New Russia: Readings on Russian Culture. Canadian Slavonic Papers 44.3/4, p. 319+. 9. The New Political Culture. Ed. Terry Nichols Clark and Vincent Hoffmann-Martinot, 1998. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. 10. Tismaneanu, Vladimir, 1995. Political Culture and Civil Society in Russia and the New States of Eurasia. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe. Read More