AP U.S. Government and Politics Glossary

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Jonathan Milner Jonathan Milner

Political Culture

Definition

The Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to government and one another. Just like every individual has their own beliefs about the role of government, every nation is an amalgamation of its citizens' individual beliefs, which add up to make its political culture. Like individuals, some nations have a conservative political culture, others, liberal.

Example

 
 

Questions

  1. Use political culture in a sentence that demonstrates that you know what the heck you’re talking about!

  2. Think of an example of political culture in current events:

  3. Find an emoji or image of political culture that does illustrates its meaning.

  4. Where does a nation's political culture come from?

  5. Why is one nation's political culture different from another's?

  6. Can a nation's political culture change over time?

  7. If political culture is widely shared norms and values, and a nation is divided, can it be said to have a political culture?

  8. What is American political culture, or what are some norms, beliefs, and political values even a Trump and Biden supporter can agree on?

  9. What nation's political culture is the most different or diametrically opposed to the U.S.?

  10. What is your political culture and where did you get it?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw political culture. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.


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