"A Civic Culture Model*"

 

*A type of "political culture" that supports democracy.

 

*A flawed social science model to help begin the discussion of what is a democracy.

 

 


 

(1) Prerequisites:

(a) Urbanization

(b) Industrialization

(c) Level of Wealth

(d) Level of Education

 

(2) Economic Issues:

The Key to a STABLE democracy is a LARGE MIDDLE CLASS. (They have the most to lose and the least to gain by a change in the Status Quo.)

(3) Legitimacy Issues:

(a) Congruency (Gov't & People share values).

(b) Conduciveness (Transfer power w/o violence.)

(c) Efficiency (People percieve (1) needs being met, (2) they can affect gov't).

 

(4) Political Process Issues:

The Key to a HEALTHY democracy is "LOYAL OPPOSITION." (They disagree on policy but are loyal to the nation, state, people, etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5) Other Issues:

Leadership v. Compromise.

Military v. Civilian Rule.

Colonial Legacy.

Ethnic (& other) divisions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to Poli. Sci. 2 Syllabus, Fall 2009