Major Concepts of Political Sociology
MD SAEED ANWAR SOCIOLOGY DISCIPLINE KHULNA UNIVERSITY
Introduction Political science and sociology began to develop as independent disciplines in the nineteenth century under the influence of marginalist economics which attempted to demarcate the study of the ‘political’ from that of the ‘social’ and the ‘economic’ Political sociology broadly conceived is the study of power and domination in social relationships. It could thereby include analysis of the family, the mass media, universities, trade unions, and so on. Political sociology was traditionally concerned with how social trends, dynamics, and structures of domination affect formal political processes, as well as exploring how various social forces work together to change political policies (Burnham, 2012) Major Concepts of Political Sociology Political Culture Political culture refers to what people believe and feel about government, and how they think people should act towards it. To understand the relationship of a government to its people, and how those people are going to act toward that government and others, it is necessary to study what those people believe about themselves and government. Daniel Elazar define that "Political culture is the particular pattern of orientation to political action in which each political system is imbedded" (Elazar, 1972). So Political culture is the traditional orientation of the citizens of a nation toward politics, affecting their perceptions of political legitimacy. Features of Political Culture a. Deference looks at the respect, acknowledgment or inferiority of authority and superiors in society. b. Consensus represents the key link between government and public agreement and appeasement. c. Political culture homogenous in nature. (Wikipedia, 2012)
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Political socialization Political socialization is a concept concerning the “study of the developmental processes by which children and adolescents acquire political cognition, attitudes, and behaviors”.
Introduction Political science and sociology began to develop as independent disciplines in the nineteenth century under the influence of marginalist economics which attempted to demarcate the study of the ‘political’ from that of the ‘social’ and the ‘economic’ Political sociology broadly conceived is the study of power and domination in social relationships. It could thereby include analysis of the family, the mass media, universities, trade unions, and so on. Political sociology was traditionally concerned with how social trends, dynamics, and structures of domination affect formal political processes, as well as exploring how various social forces work together to change political policies (Burnham, 2012) Major Concepts of Political Sociology Political Culture Political culture refers to what people believe and feel about government, and how they think people should act towards it. To understand the relationship of a government to its people, and how those people are going to act toward that government and others, it is necessary to study what those people believe about themselves and government. Daniel Elazar define that "Political culture is the particular pattern of orientation to political action in which each political system is imbedded" (Elazar, 1972). So Political culture is the traditional orientation of the citizens of a nation toward politics, affecting their perceptions of political legitimacy. Features of Political Culture a. Deference looks at the respect, acknowledgment or inferiority of authority and superiors in society. b. Consensus represents the key link between government and public agreement and appeasement. c. Political culture homogenous in nature. (Wikipedia, 2012)
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Political socialization Political socialization is a concept concerning the “study of the developmental processes by which children and adolescents acquire political cognition, attitudes, and behaviors”.
References: Bauer, E. (1983), “The Political Revolution” Cambridge University Press, 1983 pp.263-274 Burnham, P. (2012), “Political Sociology” Retrieved from Access date 18 February, 2012 Elazar, D. J. (1972), “American Federalism: A view from the states. New York” (2nd edition). Gabriel. A. A. (2004), Comparative Politics Today: A World View. New York: Pearson Retrieved from Access date 18 February 2012. Munroe,T. (2002), "Political Behaviour" An Introduction to Politics: Lectures for First-Year Students. Kingston, Jamaica: Canoe Press, pp 3-6. Online document retrieved from Access date 18 February, 2012 Online document retrieved from Access date 18 February, 2012 Online document retrieved from Access date 18 February, 2012 Online document retrieved from Access date 18 February 2012 Sociology Guide (2011), Retrieved from Access date 18 February 2012 United Nations University (2002), “Political Integration” Retrieved from Access date 18 February 2012 7|Page