Political Science 178

Barte, Chastity H.
I.

Two types of political culture: Elite and Mass Political Culture

Political culture influences how institutions operate and how political
processes play out in a certain society. Political cutlure changes, may it be
because of certain events i.e. war, invasion, economic crises, impact of
politics and politicians, emergence of new classes or of time itself. As Arend
Lijphart had written, there are two kinds of political culture: Elite and Mass.
Elite Political culture is the political culture promoted and constructed by
those of the elite mainly, the professional politicians, party leaders and
media representatives and other relevant members. They are those who are
at the top of societal rankings. In the elite approach, Robert Putnam
asserts that some people are just more interested in the study of politics than
others and therefore, merit special attention. The members of the political
elite is said to strongly influence political ideology and can simplify the
political environment. 2 In my opinion, this is perhaps because they can
standards with little opposition because of the power they hold.
Mass political culture, however, is determined by the attitudes and
orientations toward leadership influence as expressed by society. The degree
of homogeneity or fragmentation (e.g. presence or absence of distinct
identities, subcultures) influences the agenda of politics, the problems with
which political leaders and the system must cope. 5

II.

Why is Elite Political Culture more potent?

Elite political culture is more potent since political elites enjoy a
disproportional share of political power to the extent that they are able,
through elite settlements, to lead the transformation of political institutions
that, in turn, will allow for a gradual evolution either toward the consolidation
or non-consolidation of a political regimen. 3
Elite Political Cultures influence is greatly due to political parties and the
promotion of their ideologies. Samuels stated that the relationship between
identity and political parties is: the more homogenous the society, the fewer
parties we expect to form. The more diverse the society, the more parties we
expect. 4 In a heterogeneous society where a variety of traditions and religion
exist, elite political parties are seen as the anchor or standard in both ends
of the political spectrum which presents some kind of ideological menu.
Putnam supports this idea in which these political ideologies espoused by
parties are not constants but characteristics or variables which I can infer are
what the masses are looking for.
Benavides paper also support the above idea especially in developing
countries such as those in Latin America. It is said that elite settlements are
considered rare events, and as such, as these developing countries are more
concerned on economic and security survival, the masses turn toward the
elites because they have greater opportunity and ability shape the structure

Sources:
1. Putnam, Robert D. Studying Elite Political Culture: The Case of Ideology. University of Michigan.
2. Jost, John T., Federico, Christopher M., Napier, Jaime L. 2009. Political Ideology: Its Structure, Functions,
and Elective Affinities. The Annual Reviews of Psychology.
3. Benavides, Juan Carlos Gomez. 2011. The Impact of elite political culture and political institutions on
democratic consolidation in Latin America: a comparative study of Colombia and Venezuela.
Conference Paper presented at the 10th Annual Politicologenetmaal Conference.
4. Samuels, David J. 2013. Comparative Politics. University of Minnesota.
5. http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~swolin/posc2300/powerpointclass2week5.ppt

and functionality of key political institutions that will allow to influence the
kind of regime a country may have. 3

Sources:
1. Putnam, Robert D. Studying Elite Political Culture: The Case of Ideology. University of Michigan.
2. Jost, John T., Federico, Christopher M., Napier, Jaime L. 2009. Political Ideology: Its Structure, Functions,
and Elective Affinities. The Annual Reviews of Psychology.
3. Benavides, Juan Carlos Gomez. 2011. The Impact of elite political culture and political institutions on
democratic consolidation in Latin America: a comparative study of Colombia and Venezuela.
Conference Paper presented at the 10th Annual Politicologenetmaal Conference.
4. Samuels, David J. 2013. Comparative Politics. University of Minnesota.
5. http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~swolin/posc2300/powerpointclass2week5.ppt