A Political culture refers to people’s attitudes toward a government. A political culture, therefore, helps in understanding the relationship between a government and its people. The US political culture is divided in to three groups. These groups include individualistic, moralistic and traditionalist political cultures.
Although moralistic political culture is the best, it is impossible to maintain it. On the other hand, change is inevitable and, therefore, a traditionalist political culture cannot work in most states in the US. This leaves individualistic political as the best option. This essay looks at the key characteristics of these political cultures.
In a moralistic political culture, an individual is less important than the society. In this case, a government uses the needs of an individual to come up with the overall needs of a group. A moralistic political culture bases its decision on the commonwealth concept. For that reason, a government is constituted for the common good.
In states where this political culture is practiced, the government tends to have a high expenditure. Consequently, states with moralistic cultures are taxed heavily. Massachusetts is a good example of these states. Most people do not like to pay taxes. Therefore, it is very difficult to encounter a true moralistic political culture.
In individualistic political culture, the welfare of an individual is more important than that of the general public. In this regard, the interests of an individual supersede those of the society. Moreover, government decisions are based on the market place concept. Government activity and the nature of government depend on demand.
In addition, political parties are very important and dirty politics is welcomed. Political parties are seen as firms competing for customers. Therefore, a political party that has a competitive edge over other poltical parties takes the day. Accordingly, political leaders are innovative and less conservative. To many, this is the best political culture as it promotes hard work. People are responsible for all the happenings within a state.
For that reason, this political culture is widely practiced in the US. Furthermore, public expenditure is shared between the government and the private sector. As a result, states with an individualistic political culture have low taxes. Pennsylvania is a classic example of these states.
A traditionalist political culture embraces the elitist way of life. This political culture, hence, aims at maintaining the status quo. Furthermore, the elites dominate politics. For that reason, a traditionalist political culture discourages high participation in political matters. In addition, government participation and activity is low.
The most disheartening thing about this political culture is that leaders are less innovative and tend to take a conservative role. Consequently, backdoor arrangements and class divisions dominate politics in states that practice traditionalist political culture. A typical example of these states is Georgia.
An individual participates in politics because of the importance of the process to him. This explains why there is high voter turnout in states where moralistic political culture is practiced. Nonetheless, moralistic political culture burdens the government and raises taxes. Individualistic political culture, on the other hand, encourages competition among political parties.
Individuals, therefore, elect leaders who can fulfill their needs in the best way possible. Therefore, to many, this is the best political culture. Traditionalist political culture is more conservative than the other two political cultures. Additionally, is dominated by class-politics and attracts little or no innovation.