“Government is a relation of give and take, a contract…rulers were accorded power and the people consented to that power on consideration that they be accorded certain rights”. ~ Presidential nominee Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1935).
Richard Haas, in his excellent book The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens (Penguin:2023), while quoting this saying argues that Roosevelt was right but did not go far enough: : “American democracy will endure only if obligations join rights at the core of a widely shared understanding of citizenship. By definition, obligations are behaviours that should happen but are not required as a matter of law. The motive for signing up to and practicing a set of obligations even when fulfilling them is not of direct or immediate benefit is because it will encourage behaviours, norms, relationships and arrangements that over time will buttress our democracy and prove to be of benefit to ourselves, the society of which we are a member, and the country in which we are a citizen”.
The Sri Lankan voter and the American voter both have one thing in common at the present time. They will be voting to select their leaders in the very near future. There are rallies in Sri Lanka, and rallies in the United States. The latest was the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump that took place in Philadelphia on 10 September. The debate started with civility where both debaters should hands, and for the most part both were non-vituperative, although they called each other liars every now and then.
Watching the debate, I began to think that this wasn’t about the two debaters per se, but largely about the voter, the good citizen and the need for an enduring political culture, be it in Sri Lanka or the United States. Common to both contests is a plea to “turn the page” and this is where the voter would come in to decide whether this is a valid proposition. This calls for a strong political culture in the country. Not emotion, not ideology, not preference for rights over obligations and certainly not individual interests over the collective good.
A strong political culture calls for both rights and obligations and the recognition that both must mesh together to ensure a robust and unfailing democracy
Haas goes further to say that The United States should have a Bill of Obligations alongside the already existing Bill of Rights, naming such obligations of the citizenry: to be informed; get involved; stay open to compromise; remain civil; reject violence; value norms; promote the common good; respect government service; support the teaching of civics; and put country first.
What is Political Culture?
Politics extends beyond mere power-seeking; it serves as the foundation for a society’s functioning and growth. Citizen participation, especially through voting, is fundamental to democracy. The environment surrounding politics, referred to as political culture, significantly influences how citizens interact with their political system. Equally vital is the responsibility of voters to engage actively and make well-considered decisions, which shape the future of a nation. This essay explores the role of political culture, the duties of voters, and how both contribute to a stable and functioning democracy.
Political culture encompasses the deeply ingrained beliefs, values, and norms that guide political behavior and societal interactions. Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba, in The Civic Culture (1963), describe it as the particular distribution of attitudes toward political objects among a nation’s citizens. This concept is crucial because it not only determines how people relate to political institutions but also shapes their perception of their roles within the system. Political culture includes views on authority, government, participation, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
For a democratic society to work well, its political culture must encourage participation, engagement, and informed decision-making. Almond and Verba argue that the most successful political cultures are those in which citizens are both knowledgeable about and engaged in the political process while respecting democratic norms. Such a culture promotes stability and guards against authoritarianism or extremism.
The strength of any democracy is dependent on the health of its political culture. Without a solid foundation, democracies are vulnerable to unrest, division, and disillusionment. A strong political culture fosters legitimacy and trust in the government, which is crucial for the efficient functioning of political institutions. This trust ensures that political disagreements are settled through dialogue, not conflict.
Robert Putnam’s research on social capital highlights the significance of civic engagement and robust political culture. In Bowling Alone (2000), he asserts that social capital, or the networks of relationships among members of a community, enhances cooperation and trust. These civic networks promote political participation, strengthening democracy by holding governments accountable, ensuring transparency, and contributing to a more resilient political system.
My Take
When political culture weakens, however, the consequences are stark: disengagement, polarization, and eroding confidence in democratic institutions. The rise of populism in various regions has been linked to a deteriorating political culture, where citizens feel alienated from the political class, resulting in the election of leaders who challenge democratic norms.
In a democracy, voters hold a key role. Voting is not just a privilege but a civic duty—a responsibility citizens bear in ensuring the vitality of their political system. Going back in history, John Stuart Mill, in On Liberty (1859), emphasized that individual liberty must come with responsibility. For a democracy to flourish, voters need to be informed, active, and thoughtful in their choices. The obligation of the voter goes beyond casting a ballot; it involves engaging with political discussions, educating oneself on key issues, and considering the broader implications of their choices.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in The Social Contract (1762), stressed that citizens should prioritize the “general will” over their personal interests in a political system. Voters must think about the collective good, not just their immediate gains. A well-functioning political system relies on voters who are informed and motivated by the common good rather than narrow self-interest.
Additionally, Hannah Arendt, in The Human Condition (1958), highlighted that politics is a realm for collective action and debate, and citizens need to actively take part to safeguard freedom. Voting is a primary way of engaging in this collective space, but it alone is insufficient. Arendt argued that voters also have a duty to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the future of their society.
Yet, fulfilling the voter’s responsibility is not without its challenges. In modern politics, several factors hinder voters from exercising their duties effectively. Issues like misinformation, polarization, and political apathy are significant problems across many democracies. In Republic.com (2001), Cass Sunstein explores how the internet fosters echo chambers where individuals are exposed only to ideas they already support. This leads to polarization and a reduced ability to engage in meaningful political dialogue.
Voter apathy is another major issue. When citizens feel their vote doesn’t matter, they disengage, making the political system susceptible to manipulation by small but organized groups. Often, this apathy reflects a weakening political culture, where trust in political institutions is low, and the electorate feels disconnected from decision-making processes.
In combating these challenges, voters have a responsibility to seek out accurate information, critically analyze political rhetoric, and resist the temptation to remain in echo chambers. Scholars like Thomas Patterson, in The Vanishing Voter (2002), have stressed the importance of political education and media literacy in helping citizens meet their voting obligations, especially in today’s complex political environment.
Ultimately, the strength of democracy relies on the relationship between political culture and active citizen participation, particularly through voting. A robust political culture fosters trust, engagement, and well-informed decision-making, while a deteriorating culture endangers democratic stability. Similarly, voters must approach their role with care, thinking about the common good as they engage in the democratic process. Scholars like Almond, Verba, Putnam, Rousseau, and Arendt all highlight the importance of civic responsibility in preserving democratic systems. As modern democracies face increasing threats, from misinformation to division, the need for a vibrant political culture and a well-informed electorate is more pressing than ever.
In this light, the health of any democracy depends on its citizens. A political culture that encourages active participation and civic responsibility, coupled with voters who take seriously their role in the democratic process, is essential for protecting the principles of freedom, equality, and justice.
