Political Culture

A broadly shared way of thinking about political and economic life that reflects fundamental assumptions about how government should operate. Up to a point people sharing a common _____ can disagree about ideology.

Political Subculture

Fundamental assumptions about how the political process should operate that distinguish citizens by region, religion, or other characteristics.

Political Ideology

A more or less consistant set of vies as to the policies government ought to pursue.

Civic Duty

A belief that one has an obligation to participate in civic and political affairs.

Civic Competence

A belief that one can affect government policies.

Work Ethic

A belief in the importance of hard work and personal acheivement.

Class Consciousness

An awareness of belonging to a particular socioeconomic class wose interests are different from those of others. Usually used in reference to workers who view their interests as opposite those of managers and business owners.

Orthodox

People who believe that moral rules are derived from the commands of God or the laws of nature; these commands individual moral preferences. They are likely to believe that raditional morality is more important than individual liberty and should be enforced by govenmenr and communal norms.

Progressive

A person who believes that moral rules are derived in part from an individuals beliefs and the circumstances of modern life. Progressives are liely to favor government tolerance and protection of individual choice.

Political Efficacy

A citizen's belief that he or she can understand and influence political affairs. This sense is divided into two parts- internal and external efficacy.

Internal Efficacy

Confidence in a citizen's own abilities to understand and take part in political affairs.

External Efficacy

A belief that the system will respond to a citizen's demands.