Political socialization - Essay Example

Review of Political Socialization with reference to African American groups ---- Prajakta Kanegaonkar Political socialization is a term which has gained a lot of significance over a period of time. This process helps a person understand where voting patterns come from. But off course we have to note that voting represents the direct outcome of any impact on the changes happening in the thought process of the society. . The society over a period of time builds itself on the basis of solid thought process.

This process does not take place overnight. It is rightly observed that revolutions and rebellions are usually started by the young of the society. Here we need to note that it is the young who observe the process that goes on for years and initiate the changes in it. The changes are not always demanded for the comforts of living. In a culture of mixed races, ethnic groups and castes it becomes demanding to survive, to expand, to initiate and to change for the benefit of the future generations.

Hence it becomes very necessary to analyze the process by which political opinions are formed and take shape. If we look at the process more closely any member of the society would not be having his or her own opinion till the age of pre teen that is twelve. That is the age when one is in awe with the figures of authority in the family. Then the figures are replaced by more closer to life figures such as leaders, political figures etc. However at a later stage the person starts forming his or her opinions.

The later stage the opinions start taking shape and are consolidated over a period of time. These opinions then change into matter of policies and become guiding principles of one’s life. At the same time these principles now determine the voting decisions and the capacity in which the citizen participates in the political process or the system of the country.This process of political socialization also throws light on formation of groups, parties and lobbies that come from various sections and races of the society.

Political socialization creates the awareness in the people to come together and be together till the goal is achieved. With this perspective unification of various racial groups in American society needs to be observed. This holds a good deal of reference to African American people coming together. Tracing the history we observe that the Africans came as slaves to the continent. Even though they were living into deplorable conditions there was no voice and unity amongst them even after they were given the independence by the then Lincoln government, they still did not know the means to work and survive.

Irrespective of being a person of excellent oratorical skills, great believer in the social equalities for the Africans and the person who pioneered the importance of education in the then African – American society Dr. Booker Washington’s life is representative of the hardships he had to go through in his early years. He is a representative example of how political beliefs and opinions form. He toured the entire country to garner support for his people and received flowers and brickbats alike.

Another example is of Dr George Carver who was one of the few African-American people post the emancipation who carved his name on the hearts of the people world over. But for a commoner the struggle continued beyond such examples. The racism has taken long to vanish and even today the American political system admits that it still exists. Every stage in the history of the society has provided a different and a new view to the African-American struggle to get into the mainstream. it started from the roots of slavery, later emancipation, and even with the changing of governments from democrats to republicans and vice versa the struggle continued for attention, for attention to urgent issues, attention towards a biased and unfair social system, attention towards prejudices and mindsets etc.

Political socialization gives birth to a strong political sensibility and the new sensibilities advance further giving a new base to the existing thought. This goes on in a cyclical form and has not changed ways. The same hold true for every section of the society. Be it a struggle for woman’s rights and these don’t change if they are white or colored. A woman has had to struggle for her rights and sustenance for years in every society. The struggle becomes even more stringent and harder if the woman belongs to a section which is already viewed with prejudice.

For a political system of a country to remain healthy and strong, no administration can overlook the factors which shape the policies for the future. To create strong political awareness and sensibility political socialization essentially needs to be viewed with history as its mirror.References:1. Up From Slavery – Dr. Booker T Washington2. The legacy of George Washington Carverby Toby Fishbein (http://www.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/gwc/bio.html)3. http://www.answers.com/topic/political-socialization4.

http://jbs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/36/2/209