Search

A definition of political culture is posited in which the values that regulate reciprocal altruism constitute a normative system that sustains social solidarity and stabilizes inequalities. These values dampen resentment over unequal rewards by justifying status differences and the exclusion of racial, ethnic, and religious groups, among others, from full participation in social life. Inequality is bolstered by conventional modes of moral reasoning that legitimize explanations for inequality that are embedded in law or emanate from authority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive commercial development occurred in China in the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and in 17th century England. In both countries the scale of activity and the institutional innovations that were introduced to safeguard transactions threatened the status rules of the hegemonic political culture. In England, however, these challenges were part of a larger panorama of change. Conceptions of law rooted in the past were refashioned to meet challenges posed by religious and political conflict as well as rapid commercial development. A new legal culture emerged that powerfully influenced the political culture. In China commercial expansion led to the development of novel banking and trading organizations. New patterns of social interaction came into being that existed side by side with inherited forms that had roots in antiquity. Tendencies favoring the evolution of Chinese political culture, however, were curtailed by political authority which upheld traditional Confucian culture and the legitimacy that this culture accorded to traditional elites. In both societies prevailing values and beliefs influenced the direction and degree of change in their political cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces a series of articles on the East Asian political culture. Weaknesses of the older approaches to the study of political culture; Distinct hierarchical types; Major protagonists for the rights and freedom of Mongolian women.

Presents several articles on political culture. Includes `Culture Matters: Essays in Honor of Aaron Wildavsky,' edited by Richard J. Ellis and Michael Thompson; `Ethics and Activism: The Theory and Practice of Political Morality,' by Michael Gross; `The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order,' by Samuel P. Huntington.

Elaborates on a general theoretical argument for political culture and to sketch how actual societies legitimate social relations in ways that diverge from ideal types. Examples of how particular variations in political culture are manifested in American and Chinese cultures; Political culture as the rules of institutional arrangements; Political cultures as conceptual frameworks for social meanings.