Education and political socialization for a democratic society

1. Education and Political Socialization for
a Democratic society

By: Rupinder Kaur
 Punjabi University, Patiala University

3. Introduction
 Role of Education in political development:- The
education system has important effect on the process of
socialization. The values imported by school and
universities may not be the result of direct political
indoctrination but are not the less important.
 Political development refers to the capacity of political
system to satisfy the changing needs of the members of the
society.
 The goal of the Political socialization is to train or develop
individuals that they become well functioning members of
political society. Educational influence on political
opinions is also important. Education introduces
individuals to ideas outside of the home and outside of the
local community. These new ideas may influence the
individual to accept opinions that are different from those
of the parents.

4. Definitions of Education
 1. M. K. Gandhi “By education I mean an all-round drawing out of the
best in child and man-body, mind and spirit. Literacy is not the end of
education or even the beginning.”
 2.Rabindranath Tagore – “Education enables the mind to find out the
ultimate truth, which gives us the wealth of inner light and love and
gives significance to life.”
 3. Dr. Zakir Husain – “Education is the process of the individual mind,
getting to its full possible development.”
 4. Swami Vivekananda – “Education is the manifestation of divine
perfection already existing in man.”
 5. Aristotle - “Education is the creation of sound mind in a sound
body.”
 6. Rousseau - “Education is the child’s development from within.”
 7. Herbert Spencer- “Education is complete living.”
 8. Plato – “Education is the capacity to feel pleasure and pain at the
right moment.”

5. Democratic Education
 Democratic education is an educational ideal in which
democracy is both a goal and a method of instruction. It
brings democratic values to education and can include self-
determination within a community of equals, as well as
such values as justice, respect and trust.
 Education promotes political socialization. The young
school learners are exposed to this function of education.
The enquiry into this aspect of both formal and informal
education is important because it provides an
understanding of what elements of political culture are
introduced, internalized and modified, and what pattern of
political attitude are being formed. This function is
performed by education. Education is only instrument of
mobilization of political socialization.

7. Political socialization
 Political socialization is the “study of the developmental processes by which
people of all ages and adolescents acquire political cognition, attitudes, and
behaviors”. It refers to a learning process by which norms and behavior
acceptable to a well running political system are transmitted from one
generation to another. It is through the performance of this function that
individuals are inducted into the political culture and their orientations
towards political objects are formed.
 Political socialization is a lifelong process by which people form their ideas
about politics and acquire political values. The family, educational system, peer
groups, and the mass media all play a role. While family and school are
important early in life, what our peers think and what we read in the
newspaper and see on television have more influence on our political attitudes
as adults.
 “How states teach values and shape the political attitudes of their
citizens.”

8. Definition of political socialization
 Almond and Powell “Political socialization is the process by
which political cultures are maintained and changed”
 Easton and Dennis defined political socialization as “Those
development process by which acquires political orientation and
pattern of behavior”.
 Allan R Ball defines “Political socialization as establishment
and development of attitudes to beliefs about the political
system”
 Austin Renny “Political socialization generally means
socialization of masses and process by which ordinary people
develops their attitudes towards their political system”
 Eric Rowe “Political socialization is the process by which the
values, beliefs and emotions of a political culture are passed on
to succeeding generations.”

9. Types of political socialization
 1. Direct or manifesto: In this types includes political information,
values, feeling and their extension. In it the political ideology is
considered superior everywhere in family, in educational institutional
institution and in society.
 2. Indirect or non-manifesto: It works in the following three
modes…..
 (a) Transference: in this type of indirect and non-manifest political
socialization, the values and thoughts of a person or persons are
transferred to other person or persons.
 (b) Apprenticeship: This includes learning of the habits and behavior
favorable to political activities. Development of skills and insight which
an individual may profitably used while he is in the political arena.
 (c) Generalization: This process of the indirect or non- manifest
political socialization works for generalization to reach from social
values to political aims.

10. Characteristics of political socialization
 Political socialization is a process of learning:- Political
socialization is a particular type of political learning whereby people
develop the attitudes, values, beliefs, opinions, and behaviors that are
conducive to becoming good citizens in their country. Socialization is
largely a one-way process through which young people gain an
understanding of the political world through their interaction with
adults and the media
 2. Political socialization is a continuous process:- The process of
political socialization goes on throughout the life of the individual.
Beginning in early childhood and throughout our lives we are exposed
to a variety of individuals and groups known as agents for political
socialization. These individuals or groups teach us about their political
opinions and the workings of the political system.
 3. Political socialization is find in every society: - it is find in
every society. In democratic society its speed is faster and in autocratic
society its speed is slower. It depends on the ruler of nation. It creates
enlightenment among the citizens.

11.  4 Political socialization can be guided to a particular society:- Political socialization
introduces values, norms and orientations in the minds of individuals in society. It provides
legitimacy in political system.
 5. Political socialization includes both formal and informal political learning:- The
political socialization process in democratic society is mostly formal and informal. There is no
standard set of practices for parents or teachers to follow when passing on the rites of politics
to future generations. Instead, vague ideals—such as the textbook concept of the “model
citizen,” who keeps politically informed, votes, and obeys the law—serve as unofficial guides
for socializing agencies. Formal education plays a critical role in the process of political
socialization. Each political system must develop supportive expectations of and behaviors
among its members. Formal education serves as a conductor of such support to the younger
generation.

 6. Political socialization is transmitted political values from one generation to another:-
The main function of political socialization is the transmission of political values from one
generation to another. It helps to maintain a political culture.

 7. Close relationship among Political socialization , political culture and political change:-
Political socialization shape and transmits a nation’s political culture. It maintains, transforms
and sometimes creates the political culture of a people. Political socialization is the
modification of political culture.
 So at last we can say that political socialization is a learning process by which individuals are
trained to become well-functioning members of a political community.

13. Agents of socialization
 1. Family – Glass (1986) recognizes family as a primary influence in the
development of a child’s political orientation, mainly due to constant
relationship between parents and child .Most important shaper of basic
attitudes; teaches basic political values & loyalty to particular political
party through family members. Parents can teach their children about
government institutions, political leaders, and current issues, but this
rarely happens. They can influence the development of political values
and ideas, such as respect for political symbols or belief in a particular
cause. The family as an agent of political socialization is most successful
in passing on basic political identities, especially an affiliation with the
democratic society.

14. 2. Schools – Most influential of all agents, after the family, due to the child's
extended exposure to a variety of political beliefs, such as friends and teachers,
both respected sources of information for students. Teach patriotism and
Indian mythology; early grades build on and reinforce positive learning. Almond
&Powell said “school can also play an important role in shaping attitudes about
the unwritten rules of the political game”

15. 3. Peer groups – Limited in effect because of self-selection; peer group in youth affects
mostly “lifestyle issues” Peers (a group of people who are linked by common interests,
equal social position, and similar age) can be influential in the political socialization
process. Young people desire approval and are likely to adopt the attitudes, viewpoints,
and behavior patterns of groups to which they belong. Unlike the family and school,
which are structured hierarchically with adults exercising authority, the peer group
provides a forum for youth to interact with people who are at similar levels of maturity.
Peers provide role models for people who are trying to fit in or become popular in a
social setting.

16.  4. Mass media – Media are rich sources of
information about government, politics, and current
affairs. People learn about politics through news
presented on television, in newspapers and
magazines, on radio programs, on Internet websites,
and through social media. The press provides insights
into the workings of government by showcasing
political leaders in action.

17. 5. Political leaders and institutions:- Scholars such as Campbell (1960) note that political parties
have very little direct influence on a child due to a contrast of social factors such as age, context,
power, etc. It has been noted that one’s status in society is closely related to one’s political views.
Similar opinions on political issues are likely to be shared by people belonging to the same religion,
race, gender, income group or social background. A political party is a free association of men,
organised for promoting by their collective effort particular set of principles and policies calculated
to further the interest of the nation. The party has become a vital instrument of moulding and
shaping public opinion, whose tone is largely determined by the character, intelligence and integrity
of the party leaders. A party holds together and thrives by such psychological forces as those of
sympathy, imitation & competition.

18.  6. Income and Education:- Public opinion is largely governed by
economic or material considerations. When an individual comes to be
identified with an economic class such as a businessman or a worker he
acquires specific interests and loyalties. For example, programs dealing
with welfare and minimum wage increase will be more popular among
the lower income groups. However issues emphasizing work over
welfare, will find favor with the higher income groups who are
concerned with high taxes and their payment.
 Generally, the highly educated group is part of the higher income
group. This group supports an internationalist foreign policy than the
lesser-educated Indians and shows concern towards the level of
domestic expenditure.

19. 7. Activities of the government:-Activities of the government also play an
effective role in the process of socialization. If the government activities satisfy
the needs of people, and they will adapt with that kind of ideology so the
activities of government play a special role in political socialization.

20.  8. Symbols:-Symbols are also play an effective role in
political socialization. The observation of birth days or
martyrdom days of national heroes like Mahatma
Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose etc. inculcates a new
sprit among the youths and they begin to work for the
nation.
 9. work place:- work place and the nature of
employment which one gets in life has too been a
considered of political socialization. After the
completion of education , one makes effort to settle in
life. His attitude towards the political institutions and
structures gets shape with the nature of employment .

22. Conclusion
 Political socialization is a lifelong process by which individuals
learn political attitudes and behaviors. It is part of the broader
socialization process whereby an individual becomes a member
of a particular society and takes on its values and behaviors.
Social and cultural conditions mediate political socialization. In
democratic society political socialization is in democratic
nature. Political socialization also helps in social change. It play a
key role in transmission of a nations political culture. The
transmission of political culture is never ending process which
flows ceaselessly through different agencies and time. Whatever
may be the role of political socialization and its consequences is
organized politics. One cannot deny the fact that it is necessary
for maintaining and transmitting the nations political culture.

23. REFERENCES
 Stanley Allen Renshon(1977) Handbook of political
socialization, Macmillan publisher, London.
 Saroj Kumar Jena(2002) Political Sociology, Anmol
publication Pvt ltd.New Delhi.
 Davinder Singh(2000) political science , neelkamal
publications.
 www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_socialization
 http://www.redwoods.edu/instruct/klee/politsocial.html
 http://wps.ablongman.com/long_sobel_pto_1/40/10417/26
66850.cw/index.html
 http://imej.wfu.edu/articles/1999/1/02/demo/glossary/glos
saryhtml/psocialization.html

24. THANK YOU