Assumptions About the Learning of Political Values

Abstract

Political socialization refers to the learning process by which the political norms and behaviors acceptable to an ongoing political system are transmitted from generation to generation. The goal of political socialization is so to train or develop individuals that they become well-functioning mem bers of political society. Such learning begins very early in the person's life and need not be acquired solely through deliberate indoctrination. In fact, most of this norm-internalization goes on casually and imperceptibly—most of the time with out our ever being aware that it is going on. It proceeds so smoothly precisely because we are unaware of it. We take the norms for granted, and it does not occur to us to question them. The stability of a political system depends in no small measure on the political socialization of its members. A well- functioning citizen is one who accepts (internalizes) society's political norms and who will then transmit them to future gen erations. Without a body politic so in harmony with the on going political values, a political system would have trouble functioning smoothly and perpetuating itself safely. And sur vival, after all, is a prime goal of the political organism just as it is of the individual organism.—Ed.