In this unit, we'll learn about a concept called "Political Culture".  The idea is that to truly understand the politics of a place, you can't JUST look at political systems (branches of government, frequency of elections, the number of parties, etc).  That stuff is important, but it doesn't tell the whole story.  We also need to look at traditions, mores, cultures, and general attitudes about what the purpose of "politics" is in the first place.  That's where Political Culture comes in.

Textbook Reading

Chapter 3 (Part 3.B only)

Minnesota: The Epitome of the Moralistic Political Culture (by Daniel Elazar)

Instructor Notes

Political Culture - lecture notes

Outside Links

William Haltom; "Regional Cultures of the United States" (working paper, presented at Pacific NW PSA, Boise, 2019)

Unit Assignment

Political Culture Quiz