What does political culture refer to in the context of federalism?

Political culture refers to the collective values, beliefs, and attitudes that shape how a society perceives and engages with politics and government. In the context of federalism, it encompasses the shared understandings that influence how citizens view the relationship between different levels of government—national, state, and local—and the roles they play in governance. This culture can impact civic participation, political efficacy, and the acceptance of government authority.

The shared values and beliefs within a political culture inform how citizens understand and interact with political institutions, including their expectations of government responsiveness and accountability. For instance, a culture that values individualism may lead to a preference for limited government intervention, whereas a culture that prioritizes equality could support more active government involvement in social policy.

This focus on a set of shared values and beliefs distinguishes political culture from the structural aspects of government. While the structure is important for understanding how power is distributed and exercised, political culture embodies the underlying attitudes that drive civic engagement and public policy preferences, which is fundamental to the practice of federalism.