During a national civic assessment in a modern state, researchers observe that citizens possess extensive factual knowledge about constitutional provisions and government ministries, yet overwhelmingly express deep feelings of alienation toward state institutions and perceive themselves as powerless to influence public policy decisions. According to Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba's structural breakdown of political culture, which combination of political orientations best describes this citizenry?
- High cognitive orientation, combined with negative affective and low evaluative orientations regarding political participationAnswer
- BHigh evaluative orientation, combined with positive affective and low cognitive orientations regarding civil rights
- CHigh parochial orientation, combined with complete absence of cognitive orientation toward state structures
- DHigh participant orientation, combined with neutral cognitive and positive affective orientations toward governance
Answer
The citizenry exhibits a high cognitive orientation alongside negative affective and low evaluative orientations regarding political participation.
According to Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba, political culture is composed of three internal orientations: cognitive (knowledge and belief about the political system), affective (feelings toward the system), and evaluative (judgments and personal efficacy regarding political roles). In the given scenario, citizens have high factual knowledge (high cognitive orientation), but feel alienated (negative affective orientation) and believe they cannot influence policy (low evaluative orientation regarding participation).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Components of Political Culture (Cognitive, Affective, and Evaluative Orientations)