Topic: Political Socialization and its Agents

Define Political Socialization

Political Socialization- is the process through which society develops, pass on and change the values, beliefs and attitudes towards politics. It is an attempt to make political culture. 

According to Gairy Bertsch (2011) "Political Socialization is the process by which official prevailing attitudes and beliefs are transmitted to a society particularly to new comers such as children and migrants."

 

Introduction to Political Socialization

 

Identify four Social Agents and how they impacts the political process in a named state.

Jamaica

The Social Agents in the Political Process are divided into two sections: Primary and Secondary.

 Primary Agents

Family

The family as an agent of socialization.

It's influence is almost obvious as it is consist of the household unit. The family provides the individual with first contact with outside world authority and it gives initial exposure to particular attitudes and political beliefs as well as loyalties and attachment. 

In addition, the family influences how one will respond to power and authority. The individual can respond either conventionally or unconventionally through rebellion, submission or the person can become involved in the political process.

Community

The community can also served the same purpose as the family but from a more extensive view. This means that the individual is open to diverse views of individual which would influence their action, attitude and belief about the political process. 

Secondary Agents

Church and Religion

The church as an agent of  socialization.

The Church and Religion-It does not have to be the Church but Mosque, Temple etc while in some occasions, some children are not affect by this agent because their parents are atheists.

From this agent moral codes are strengthen or weaken. For instance, A boy who has been molested by his Catholic Priest will probably not have patriotic feelings as opposed to the child who is taught the importance of spirit guidance through Sunday/Sabbath School/Arabic instructions in the teaching of certain values and attitudes.

Media

The Media is very significant and of growing importance in spreading political ideas, attitudes and beliefs. How is it done? Through the media people can express their views and speak out on what they are dissatisfied with especially over talk shows whether hosted on radio or television. It is through these media that justice can be gain from the society. One type of media that is of growing importance which has a vast impact on young people are social websites such as facebook, twitter etc. 

Political Parties

Persuasive speeches, false promises and things that they offer (house, land, free houses) are means by which Political parties used to persuade people to vote for them. As an institution, these parties are apart of the development of political support for their leaders. It is specifically aimed at political socialization via youth group. However, it is least influential of all socialization group as citizens have the least contact with the politician. The Politicians are only seasonal and present themselves when it is only necessary during election time.

School

The school is one of the first exposure to an organized efforts to develop loyalty to political parties and patriotism. To learn the anthem, the pledge, about nation heroes, they learn to respect the flag and develop patriotic feelings. When the school is nit functioning, it exposes the young person to power and authority. Peer group also constitutes informal relationships which are found at school, church, work and clubs. These informal agents or relationships do a lot to sway the beliefs, values and attitudes of the person or persons involved.

In concluding, it can be said that the nature and character of socializing institutions varied based on the people's social class, gender, race and culture. The influence is multidimensional as well as the direct method of socialization is not disguised. It is explicit for example in a family where children are required to share the political view of their parents. In the indirect method attitudes formed are not directly related to politics for example conditions in schools and workplace.

Lecture