ELAZAR’S THREE CULTURE TYPES
APPROPRIATE
POLITICAL
AREAS OF PUBLIC
CULTURE TYPE
MORALISTIC
LOCATION
patterns of 19th
century migration
spread this culture
types across the
northern tier of
states, from New
England to Pacific
northwest;
20th century
patterns of
migration have
allowed this type to
spread from north
to sunbelt,
particularly the
desert southwest,
to become
important subculture in region
GOVERNMENT
viewed as a
“commonwealth”
[means to
achieve the
good of the
community
through positive
action]
POLICY
any area that will
enhance the
community
although nongovernmental
action preferred
social as well as
economic
regulation
considered
legitimate;
new programs will
be initiated
without public
pressure if
believed to be in
the public interest
POLITICS
viewed as a
healthy civic
enterprise;
everyone
should
participate
PARTIES
viewed as
“vehicles” to
attain goals
believed to be
in the public
interest;
third parties
popular;
subordinate to
principles and
policy issues
ELECTIONS
competition is
over issues
winning public
office viewed
as greater
opportunity to
implement
policies and
programs
ELAZAR’S THREE CULTURE TYPES
APPROPRIATE
POLITICAL
AREAS OF PUBLIC
CULTURE TYPE
INDIVIDUALISTIC
LOCATION
patterns of 19th
century migration
spread this culture
types across the
middle tier of
states, from the
mid-Atlantic coast
to western interior
and parts of
California;
20th century
patterns of
migration have
allowed this type to
spread from
industrial northeast
and midwest to
sunbelt, particularly
the South Florida to
Texas], to become
important subculture in region
GOVERNMENT
viewed as a
marketplace
[means to
respond
efficiently to
demands];
government
functions like a
business
POLICY
largely economic,
encouraging
private initiative
and access to the
marketplace;
economic
development
given highest
priority;
new programs will
not be initiated
unless demanded
by a significant
client of
government
POLITICS
PARTIES
viewed as dirty, act as
business
left to those
who would soil organizations,
themselves by doling out
engaging in it; favors and
responsibilitie
only political
professionals s;
party
participate
cohesiveness
tends to be
strong;
ELECTIONS
competition
is between
parties
rather than
over issues;
winning
public office
is seen as
opportunity
to attain and
distribute
tangible
rewards
ELAZAR’S THREE CULTURE TYPES, continued
APPROPRIATE
POLITICAL
AREAS OF PUBLIC
CULTURE TYPE
LOCATION
TRADITIONALISTIC patterns of 19th
century migration
spread this culture
types across the
Old South into
Texas and
Oklahoma;
20th century
patterns of
migration have
allowed this type to
spread into the
desert southwest,
to become
dominant culture
type in region
GOVERNMENT
viewed as a
means of
maintaining the
existing social,
economic, and
political order;
elite dominated
POLICY
include those that
maintain
traditional
patterns;
new programs will
not be initiated
unless they serve
the interest of the
governing elite,
implying minimal
government
services
POLITICS
viewed as a
privilege;
only those with
legitimate claim
to public office
should
participate;
power is highly
personal,
based on family
and social ties
[one or two
families tend to
dominate in
most
communities]
PARTIES
serve as a
means to
recruit people
to public
offices not
desired by
established
power
holders;
one-party
politics
adapted from Daniel Elazar, AMERICAN FEDERALISM: A VIEW FROM THE STATES, 3rd edition, 1984, pp. 120-121
ELECTIONS
competition
tends to be
between
elitedominated
factions of a
dominant
party;
the goal of
winning
public office
depends on
the political
values of the
dominant
elite faction