Political Learning Processes: Definition and Illustrations
In the realm of political science, political socialization and political parties play significant roles in shaping individuals' political beliefs and participation. One's affiliation with a political party is often a reaction to the actions of governments and other political actors, particularly in relation to the economy.
The process of political socialization does not guarantee political participation, but it is a crucial factor in understanding why some people engage in politics while others do not. Sociologists believe that people are most politically impressionable during their teenage years through their mid-twenties.
Younger children tend to perceive the government personally, with the first political objects they recognise being the President of the United States and the police officer. As they grow older, by ages 8-10, most children develop a basic understanding of government as an institution separate from the individual. By this stage, they also realise they belong to a town and eventually develop political awareness of their nationality.
Political parties can be a source of information about candidates and issues, and they help people feel part of a larger community and have a say in the political process. Being surrounded by members of and advocates for a political party can further solidify the party's political beliefs in its members.
The workplace is another important site for political socialization. As people become more involved in their work community, they become more likely to identify with the beliefs of those around them. Employers can use their employees' work as a vehicle for political socialization by requiring attendance at politically-charged seminars or viewings of films and messaging promoting the workplace's political views.
The study of political socialization encompasses a broad range of topics, from national identity and consensus political norms to more specific ones like partisanship and issue preferences. In the past, party identification was seen as an identity that could be developed without cognitive skills, but it is now characterised as a 'politico' lifestyle.
Researchers in the 1950s and 1960s, such as Erik Erikson, Anna Freud, Robert J. Havighurst, Jean Macfarlane, Harold Jones, Herbert Stolz, Glen Elder, and John C. Coleman, contributed significantly to our understanding of adolescent development, emphasising crises in identity, developmental tasks, the gradual mastery of youth challenges, and the healthy progression of adolescent development.
Ultimately, political parties provide a way for people to connect with others who share similar political views, helping them to develop a better understanding of the political process and make informed decisions. Understanding political socialization offers valuable insights into the factors that influence political participation and the development of political beliefs.
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