Current Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives on Political Culture

Current research in the field of political culture explores the connections between political ideas, discourses, and actions within their broader cultural and social contexts, as well as the impact of factors both internal and external to the national setting. Theoretical and empirical contributions aim to address pressing issues and challenges in contemporary politics, including but not limited to various forms of democracy and the tensions within them, the construction and representation of national identities, levels of trust or distrust in local, national, and supranational institutions, the origins and lasting effects of political violence as well as the role of Artificial Intelligence. These issues encompass recent developments such as the rise of populist movements, the complex crises facing contemporary democracies, the growth of nationalist groups and identity politics, the influence of populism on political landscapes, and the rise of AI usage in political communication. To study these critical matters, interdisciplinary approaches are vital, as they offer the opportunity for a comprehensive examination of diverse yet significant factors influencing political culture. This section aims to incorporate fresh perspectives from diverse disciplines like history, political philosophy, cultural studies, political science, and sociology into research and theory of political culture, by examining how political culture influences citizenship, the process of nation building, democratic stability and transformation, as well as public sentiment and political representation. We invite both theoretical and empirical papers using qualitative or quantitative methods and employing a comparative or case study perspective. Papers may be organized along the following panel themes but we also welcome independent submissions on other topics of political culture. Panel 1: Politics, citizenship and political culture This panel places its emphasis on the pivotal topic of citizenship, and potential submissions should delve into the political elements that impact the development of citizenship in both established and emerging democracies. Citizenship is a multifaceted concept encompassing aspects of political and social integration, as well as formal and informal dimensions. Research addressing the political and social factors that shape citizenship aims to provide fresh insights, comparisons, and analyses across various paradigms. Panel 2: 2004-2024 – 20 years from the extended EU enlargement and its impact on domestic political culture It has been 20 years since the significant enlargement of the EU, when in 2004, 10 new member states from Eastern and Southern Europe joined. This EU expansion brought hopes for the exacerbation of democratic values and the protection of rights, as well as the rule of law in these countries. Twenty years later, there is scepticism about the level of democracy and the rule of law in some of these member states, such as Hungary and Poland. The goal of this panel is to discuss the extent of the EU's influence on the political culture of these member states as well as the current problems and challenges in terms of democracy and the rule of law. Panel 3: Populism, crises and inequality Populism is frequently employed as a means to attain political power and can be found, in various forms and degrees, within all political frameworks. Nevertheless, when faced with multidimensional crises, be they economic, health-related, or related to energy, there emerges an environment conducive to the expansion of populist movements, whether they lean right or left. These movements can foster unrealistic expectations, promote oversimplification of crucial political matters, and foster distrust in established political structures, ultimately exacerbating societal divisions. This panel's objective is to conduct a critical examination of populism across diverse political and social contexts in order to reveal commonalities and disparities in populist behaviour. Panel 4: Interrelations between political culture, public opinion and political representation A democratic society nurtures individuals with democratic values, providing them with the chance to engage and take action on matters of public concern. Political culture has been recognized as a significant factor that can shape public attitudes and the various ways in which political representation occurs. A thorough examination and comparison of the various facets of this process will facilitate meaningful discussions about contemporary political representation and public opinion across diverse political landscapes. Panel 5: Theoretical perspective on political culture Having passed in and out of academic fashion several times since its introduction in the 1950s, the idea of political culture is both persistent and problematic. Numerous concepts compete in its intellectual space: ideology, public opinion, trust and the social imaginary among others. The relationship between political culture and such concepts stands in need of clarification. More fundamentally, questions remain about what political culture consists of (hence how it might be measured or otherwise described), how it arises and what its consequences or implications are (hence its analytical use). This panel steps back from findings to explore these conceptual questions. Panel 6: AI in political communication In the recent decade the rise if machine learning technologies has fundamentally changed everyday live as well as political communication and decision making. For instance, AI frames decision making from court decisions, to election campaigns. Digital technologies such as recommender systems or chatbots have become a common tool in political communication. Generative technologies gave rise to concerns about deep fake. It is often assumed that this fosters the emergence of filter bubbles which fundamentally shape trust in political institutions and might undermine the foundations of democracy. The aim of this panel is to explore the current state of research on the impact of these technological disruptions on political culture and communication. Panel 7: Democracy and trust Traditionally, high trust in political institutions has been considered beneficial for the stability and functioning of democracy. This assumption has, however, recently been questioned and uncertainty regarding the positive consequences of trust has increased as high trust in at least some institutions was found to not necessarily concur with support for democratic principles or democratic behaviours. This panel invites papers that discuss the importance of political trust for democracy and whether or not (all forms of) political trust are in fact conducive to democratic rule. Panel chairs and discussants will be recruited from the Standing Group on Political Culture and its network.