Political Socialization

Introduction:
Political socialization is important to know how political culture is formed in different societies
and how the political values, beliefs, and attitudes of the people prevail over different
generations. Those values or beliefs expand to the new generation through some agents of
political socialization. With the death of various members of a group, the political culture of the
group does not die. The new members of the group maintain their political culture. From their
childhood, they learned, embraced, and obeyed the political values or beliefs of society. Political
socialization is the process of learning, embracing, and maintaining the flow of political values.
The twenty first century is characterized by radical changes due to the advent of globalization
and emergence of new models of development. The exogenous forces of Globalization and
Modernization have resulted into widespread transformation in the socio- economic, cultural and
political system across nations Political Socialization: A Conceptual and Theoretical
Construction 2 of the world. The political, social and economic systems in India are also
undergoing major transformation and significant changes can be seen in the normative and
existential order of the society. The complex nature of these changes requires learning society
and participant democracy so that inclusive development can take place.

Definition:
Political socialization is the "study of the developmental processes by which people of all ages
and adolescents acquire political cognition, attitudes, and behaviours". It refers to a learning
process by which norms and behaviour acceptable to a well-running political system are
transmitted from one generation to another. Through the performance of this function,
individuals are inducted into the political culture, and their orientations towards political objects
are formed.
Political socialization can be defined as socializing in a political system through information on
political symbols, institutions and procedures and internalizing the value system and the ideology
supporting the system. It is also a process of acquisition of political culture.
This process works at an individual and community level through cultural transmission. It is one
of the most essential functions of the political system. It is also part of general socialization,
which starts in later life. Acquiring political values and attitudes is called political socialization,
which occurs throughout our lifetimes as we contact other people. The groups that teach and
expose us to political ideas and values are known as agents of political socialization. And
coincidently, the same groups that teach us about the world, in general, are the same groups that
teach us about the world of politics.
Political socialization is a concept concerned" ng the "study of the developmental processes by
which children and adolescents acquire political cognition, attitudes and be "saviours". It refers
to a learning process by which norms and behaviour acceptable to a well-running political system
are transmitted from one generation to another. Through the performance of this function,
individuals are inducted into the political culture, and their orientations towards political objects
are formed.
According to, Almond and Powell, “Political socialization is the process by which political
cultures are maintained and changed”.
Easton and Dennis defined political socialization as “Those development process by which
acquires political orientation and pattern of behavior”.
Allan R Ball defines “Political Socialization as establishment and development of attitudes to
beliefs about the political system”.
So, We can say that Political socialization is a process by which an individual learns about the
political system, political values and beliefs. Political socialization helps the individual acquaint
himself with political culture and change himself according to it.

Agents of Political Socialization:

While political socialization can take place almost anywhere at any time, from early childhood
on, people’s political perceptions and behaviors are directly or indirectly shaped by various
socializing agents, such as family, school and peers, and the media. Not only do these agents of
socialization teach young people about the political system, they can also influence people’s
political preferences and level of desire to take part in the political process.

“Political socialization is the process by which political culture is transmitted in a society. It

occurs at both the individual and community level, and it extends beyond the acquisition of
political culture to encompass the learning of more sophisticated political ideas and orientations.
A variety of individuals and institutions contribute the shaping of its effect. For e.g. individuals
are politically socialized by social units such as their family, peers and social class, and also by
existing laws, media, religion, and education. It is a never ending processand the factors which
shape it are all encompassing. Those groups and institutions which participate in and contribute
to the on-going process of political socialization are known as the agents of socialization. On the
basis of the operational period of these agents on individual life, they are divided into primary
agents and secondary agents of political socialization.”21The primary agents of socialization are
those that directly develop specific political orientation. Family, peer group, educational
institutions came under the category of primary agents of socialization. The secondary agents of
socialization are less personal and involved in the process of socialization in more indirect
manner. Mass media, political parties, voluntary organizations, and government come under the
category of secondary socializing agents. The roles of various agents of political socialization
are as follows:

1. Primary Agents:
a. Family

“Family is the eternal school which teaches you civic virtues” –MacIver. Family is the primary
agency of political socialization and plays a significant role in transmitting political culture to
the children during their formative years. “The family unit participates in the socialization of
Political Socialization: A Conceptual and Theoretical Construction 10 political perceptions in
three ways. Firstly, the parents transmit attitude which they consider valuable for the child, some
attitudes reflect community consensus like respect for symbols, feeling of loyalty etc., some
attitudes might be transmitted which represent difference of opinion from the policies of
government. This kind of attitude acquisition corresponds to the acquisition model. Secondly,
parent’s affiliation with a political party is the most significant aspect of family socialization
which corresponds with the identification model.”22 The family constitutes a credible source of
information and the children develop initial political attitudes about respect for the country,
identification with the ideologies of a particular political party and perception of functioning of
the government .The children have a natural tendency to follow their parents therefore they
develop a perception of either good or bad political parties from families. Families provide an
early experience by participation in decision making, can increase the sense of political
competence, provide skills for interaction, and thus enhance the probability of active
participation in the political system when an individual becomes an adult. The significance of
family in political socialization can be attributed to several reasons. The family occupies a crucial
place in the life of the child with reference to emotional and financial support and ascribed status.
Moreover, the parents are the representatives of ideal patterns of behavior for children. Hence
the children follow the political beliefs and attitudes of the family. “With the increase of the age
the Political Socialization: A Conceptual and Theoretical Construction 11 importance of the
parents diminishes and the child learns a lot from outside the family. But the influence of the
parents is never completely wiped off from the mind. Thirdly, members of a family usually live
in the same environment. The family is influenced by the same neighbors’’, by the same friends,
and the same economic forces. The family members read the same newspapers, attend to the
same radio and TV programmer, listen to the same preacher and other local opinion leaders,
gather the same gossip and hear the same stories. Thus all the members of the family naturally
share similar political ideas, values and behavior due to residing in the same
environment.”23Hence family is regarded as an important agent of political socialization.

b. Peer group

As children grow older they spend less time at home with their family members give more time
to their friends. During this phase the peer groups acquire importance as family or school. Peer
groups also socialize other children towards politics. Peer groups have the most impact when
they get involved with political discussions and activities. The acquaintances in the
neighborhood and at workplace also constitute the peer group. The parent child relationships are
always hierarchic and each family contains at least two separate generations. In such conditions
members of a family- the child and the parent-naturally claim to enjoy the same status. Peer
groups on the other hand, comprise members about the same age. Hence peer groups can afford
to be non-hierarchic and their members can manage to enjoy an equal status in their relation with
each other. This equality is characteristic of Political Socialization: A Conceptual and
Theoretical Construction 13 equal age, equal functions and equal economic status. This does not
mean that peer groups have no leaders, but these leaders do not enjoy authority and
characteristics of the parents in the family. Just as in the socialization of the child influence of
the family is maximum; similarly, the adolescent is influenced by the peer group and friend
circle. He/ She attain political experience due to socialization in the peer group. The family and
the peer groups however, do not conflict but cooperate. The main reason of the importance of
peer groups in political socialization is the fact that interactions of members of upper group are
spontaneous and not formal. The members naturally influence each other. They have most
intimate and emotional relationships leading to socialization as it is in the case of family. Lane
reports that “the more politically conscious are a person’s friends and associates and follow
group members the more likely he is too politically conscious active.”26The peer group has
profound influence in all aspects of life. The discussions with peers raise the political
consciousness of the individuals and helps in political socialization.

c. Neighborhood

By influencing its people' political ideas, attitudes, values, and behaviors, a community can act
as a catalyst for political socialization. Many processes, such as peer pressure, local issues,
community groups, observational learning, accessibility to government services, and political
mobilization, might contribute to this influence. Neighborhoods frequently have distinct
customs, attitudes, and cultures of their own. Younger generations growing up in a neighborhood
might be influenced by the political attitudes and beliefs of the community's residents. A person's
political opinions can be greatly influenced by friends and neighbors who live in the same
neighborhood. Through social engagement, young individuals can be influenced by their peers
and come to hold similar political views and attitudes. Local politics are typically most
noticeable in neighborhoods. Political engagement with issues ranging from local development
to public safety, zoning, and school funding can be facilitated by these matters, which can be
quite pertinent. One may become more interested in politics and civic involvement if they live
in a community with particular local issues.

d. Relatives

The term "relative" in the context of political socialization typically refers to family members or
close relatives. Family, including parents, grandparents, siblings, and other close relatives, often
plays a significant role as an agent of political socialization. Parents, more than any other family
member, frequently imparts to their offspring their own political and moral convictions. An
individual's political beliefs may be influenced by these formative experiences in the future.
An major source of political socialization is one's family, especially one's immediate family. By
imparting principles, fostering dialogue, exhibiting political involvement, and bolstering a
family's sense of political identity, they aid in the formation of an individual's political ideas and
actions.

2. Secondary Agents:
a. Educational agents

Education24 performs the role of political socialization through the contents of courses in
schools and colleges, the process of forming and conducting student associations and through
various types of intellectual, cultural and sporting activities organized with the help of students,
celebration of regional and national festivals and through the informal relations between students
and teachers and among students themselves. Teaching of subjects like history, civics, social
sciences, languages, text books etc., also play an important role. Other subjects are also indirectly
utilized to this end. A proper performance of this function of political socialization becomes
supportive to the structures of the political system and provides stability and continuity to it,
whereas its non-performance raises the possibility of Poliltical Socialization : A Conceptual and
Theoretical Construction 12 challenges to the structure of the political system and may even
disrupt it. “Educational institutions play a pivotal role in political socialization. Even when
children are taught civic classes in school, they participate in the political shaping too. While
being taught they learn many of the rituals and processes of government edict. College and
university education may also bring a new values and help in the formation of radical political
attitudes. The educated persons are more aware of the impact of government on their lives and
have more information about the political processes. The teachers also help in this process.”25
Hence school education as well as higher education functions as an important agent of political
socialization.

b. Professional Association

Various organizations organized on a professional basis are labor unions, trade unions, peasant
associations, teachers ‘associations, students’ unions, etc. These organizations do not get
political power like political parties or participate in the electoral competition but try to preserve
their professional interests by influencing the government’s decision-making process. These
organizations communicate political values and sentiments among their members through
various claims and political socialization is possible.

c. Mass Media

Most people look to the media—newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the internet—for
political information. Despite growing dependence on the internet, television remains the
dominant information source, especially with the proliferation of 24-hour all-news cable
channels. Not only does the media influence public opinion by providing news, analysis, and a
diversity of opinion, it exposes people to modern sociopolitical issues, such as drug abuse,
abortion, and racial discrimination. Quickly eclipsing conventional media in importance, the
internet now serves as a source of political information. Most major television and print news
outlets now have websites and bloggers also offer a wide range of political information, analysis,
and opinion. Increasingly, peer groups, politicians, and government agencies utilize social media
websites such as Twitter to share and disseminate political information and commentary.

As people spend more of their time online, however, many scholars question whether these
internet forums encourage a healthy sharing of different sociopolitical views or simply serve as
“echo chambers” in which the same perspectives and opinions are shared only among like-
minded people. This has resulted in some of these online sources being accused of spreading
extremist ideologies, often supported by disinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories.

d. Political Parties

The political parties, pressure groups and interest groups also act as agents of political
socialization. The rallies and demonstrations organized by these groups orient the people towards
political issues, the objectives and ideologies of political parties enhances the understanding of
functioning of government. Direct or indirect relationship with these institutions affects the
process of political socialization. “As specialized political structure that exists in democratic and
non- democratic system, political parties play an important role in political socialization.
Political parties attempt to mold issue preferences, arouse the apathetic, and find new issues to
mobilize support. Party leaders and party spoke persons provide the media with a steady flow of
information vide the public with a steady flow of information on the political issues of the day.
Party organization regularly contacts voters by mail or phone, and in many nations party activists
visit voters at home. Election can serve as national civics- lessons, and parties are the teachers.
In competitive party system, partisan socialization can also be a divisive force. In their effort to
gain support, leaders may appeal to class, language, religion and ethnic divisions and make
citizens more aware of Political Socialization : A Conceptual and Theoretical Construction 19
these differences.”33 The political parties and other interest groups help in building awareness
about various political and social issues and assist in the process of political socialization. Thus
political socialization is a continuous process and it requires different agencies of socialization.
These agencies have differential impact during various stages of life. These agencies can also
bring modification and transformation in political understanding.

e. Government Agencies

Right from their adolescent age, children start acquiring political views and opinions from their
family and surroundings, cultural and social influences, and in a way they do participate,
although in a non-potential way, to the future beliefs orientation and of their participation in the
political views at a later date when they become mature and from their then contemporary faith
and belief to actively participating in the socio-political dissemination of the government views
and in the shaping of political socialization. The government also regulates the media what we
see and hear. “An individual’s continuous experiences with government through his / her direct
contact with governmental functions and governmental personnel and direct knowledge of what
the government stands and works for are likely either to reinforce his/ her ideas and attitudes
acquired through the early political socialization process or to alter them quite substantially. In
some cases, government directly intervenes to carry on a process of political indoctrination.
Political parties disseminate political knowledge and values, Political Socialization : A
Conceptual and Theoretical Construction 18 mobilize political action and train political leaders.
Individual come directly into contact with the governmental functionaries. They come to know
for what purpose the government stands for and what the government is doing.”32Thus the
government directly and indirectly functions as an agent of political socialization.
f. Religious Institutions

The political role of religious organizations in modern-day secular democratic states has
diminished. Yet it turns out that they have some indirect role. In many European states,
opposition to state and educational institutions is seen in connection with Roman Catholic
meditation. In India, Hindu, and Muslim religious organizations try to influence the political
views of their members in various ways.

Conclusion:

Political socialization is a very powerful tool to mould political cultures. The various agents of
political socialization can even help create an entirely new set of values and attitudes. Its
importance is growing in today’s world where the traditional structures of a village or tribal
community are breaking down. As the world shrinks, political systems are borrowing more from
each other. The citizens learn as they move ahead in life. Any event, be it in the social, religious,
and economic sphere can influence the political system of a state. Thus, political socialization
has to be healthy and positive. It can be moulded in the totalitarian regimes as well as in the
developing countries. In the former it is controlled while in the latter it is general and diffused.
Both situations are dangerous and need to be handled carefully by the few eternal, vigilant
citizens within the political system.