3.1.2 Cultural Theory

• Cultural context is a key driver of political outcomes according to Cultural Theory.

  True
• What is one limitation of Social Capital in Cultural Theory?

  Social divisions
• What is an example of Cultural Theory's application in comparative politics?

  High trust in Nordic countries
• Trust, participation, and tolerance are key values in Civic Culture.
• How does culture directly affect political institutions?

  Influences norms and expectations
• What is the primary focus of structural-functionalism in political systems?

  System maintenance
• What type of culture supports democracy through participation?

  Civic culture
• Cultural Theory can easily explain rapid political changes or transitions.

  False
• What does Structural-Functionalism focus on in political systems?

  Institutions and their roles
• What are shared values, beliefs, and attitudes regarding politics called?

  Political culture
• Match the concept with its description:

  Political Culture ↔️ Shared values on politics

  Civic Culture ↔️ Supports democracy
• What are the key components of cultural theory?

  Values, beliefs, norms
• Social capital can be limited by social divisions and changing community dynamics
• Match the theory with its focus:

  Cultural Theory ↔️ Shared cultural values

  Structural-Functionalism ↔️ Functions of institutions

  Rational Choice Theory ↔️ Individual self-interest
• What is an example of consensus-driven politics in Nordic countries?

  Political culture
• Cultural explanations for political variations contrast with theories that emphasize structural, economic, or individual-level drivers.
• Cultural Theory is the idea that political and social institutions are shaped by cultural factors
• 'Civic Culture' is a form of political culture that supports participation in democracy
• Arrange the following aspects in order to compare Political Culture and Civic Culture:

  1️⃣ Scope: Broader for Political Culture, specific for Civic Culture

  2️⃣ Key Values: National identity for Political Culture, trust for Civic Culture

  3️⃣ Impact: Shapes political climate for Political Culture, facilitates democratic governance for Civic Culture
• Cultural Theory emphasizes how shared cultural values shape political institutions.
• How does Civic Culture differ from Political Culture in terms of scope?

  Specifically supports democracy
• The cultural theory emphasizes how shared cultural values shape political institutions and policy-making, contrasting with structural-functionalism and rational choice theory
• High trust levels in Nordic countries facilitate social welfare policies
• Political culture sets the tone for how citizens engage with government
• What is the risk of cultural explanations becoming overly deterministic?

  Ignoring political influence
• Cultural Theory proposes that political and social institutions are shaped by cultural factors
• Cultural Theory emphasizes how cultural context is a key driver of political and social outcomes
• Social capital refers to the networks and trust within a community that facilitate collective action
• Order the key values associated with civic culture:

  1️⃣ Trust

  2️⃣ Participation

  3️⃣ Tolerance
• Rational choice theory views political decisions as driven by individuals maximizing their own benefits


  True
• What is an example of structural-functionalism in action?

  Parliament making laws
• Cultural explanations for political differences contrast with other theories that emphasize institutional roles, individual self-interest, or economic conditions
• What type of political culture is characteristic of Nordic countries?

  Consensus-driven politics
• What cultural aspect supports democracy through citizen participation?

  Civic culture
• Cultural explanations may become overly deterministic, failing to account for the influence of political institutions on culture.

  True
• What is the focus of Cultural Theory in comparative politics?

  Cultural values and beliefs
• What are three key cultural factors highlighted by Cultural Theory?

  Political culture, civic culture, social capital
• What does Rational Choice Theory emphasize in political behavior?

  Individual self-interest
• What does Marxism focus on in comparative politics?

  Economic class and material conditions
• What does the concept of 'Political Culture' refer to in Cultural Theory?

  Shared values and beliefs