Political socialization is the process of assimilation of cultural values, political orientations, forms of political behavior acceptable for a given society and characterizing the inclusion of citizens of the state in the system of political relations.
The problem of political socialization has been receiving increased attention since the 1920s. However, there is no single approach to understanding this process:
-p.p.s. -the process of teaching a person the social roles that he or she needs to perform in the sphere of politics (classical theory: D.Easton, Parsons)
-p.p. is considered as acculturation (i.e. mastering of new values), personal and psychological mechanisms of formation of political consciousness and behavior of a person are brought to the fore (K. Luman, M. Habernas)
- p.c. hidden process of politicization of human feelings and perceptions; main attention is paid to motives of political activity (psychoanalytic theory, E. Erikson)
Despite the differences in approaches, most scientists agree that the most important functions of political socialization are to achieve the ability of the individual to navigate the political space and perform certain power functions there.
Different types of political socialization of the socialist society are singled out:
-Direct socialization is the direct acquisition of the political knowledge
- Indirect social - this is the influence of character traits, early childhood experience on the formation of political installations
-resocialization - radical change of political culture values
-desocialization - changes in previously learned norms, values and roles in life
There are several models of political socialization (R.M.Merelnan):
1. systemic: formation of a positive attitude to power. Social agents: school, family, peers [American culture]
2. hegemonic: forms young people who are hostile to any political party but their own. Agents: Media [non-Western civ]
3. Pluralistic: the formation of citizens' perceptions of their political interests and their desire to participate in their implementation. Agents: school, parents, media, party[European culture]
4. conflict: formation of loyalty to a certain group and readiness to support it in the fight against other groups.
Political participation
Political participation is a concept for the influence of citizens on the functioning of the political system, the formation of political institutions and the process of making political decisions, characterized by the following features: 1. delegation of powers; 2. activist activity aimed at supporting candidates and parties in election campaigns; 3. attendance of meetings and participation in demonstrations.
In political science, the following theories of political participation are distinguished:
1) Theory of rational choice. The main thesis of this theory is to assert that the main subject of political participation is a free individual who strives for the maximum realization of his or her interests and acts effectively in order to achieve his or her own goals
2) Motivation theories of political participation. The most general motives for political participation include: ideological, normative, role-based.
Dominance of the ideological motive means that the individual participates in political life, sharing and supporting the official ideology of society. Such a motive ensures the identification of personal political values with the political values of the state.
The normative motive regulates political behavior of a person by rules dictated by the political system, without their conformity with personal values. An individual's behavior is based on the recognition of the power of power.
Role motives are related to the social role of the individual in the existing political system. The behavior of a person with a dominant role motive is directly connected with his social position and his own self-esteem. The lower a person's social position, the more likely it is that he or she will become radical against the existing power.
Theories of social factors of political participation. This theory investigates the interrelation and influence of such factors as institutionalization, level of social and economic equality and opportunities of social mobility, stability, etc. on political participation.
By methods of activity: conventional/non-conventional, passive, conformist, protest (reformist and activist)
Based on motives: autonomous and mobilization
Social factors: gender (women are more likely to be protesting), education (higher/high political activism), age (elderly people are more likely to engage in conformal activities)