Virtually, every society is shaped by political norms that control the thought and actions of individual with regard to political issues. Equally, their political cultures define the attitudes of citizens towards the political system in addition to partial shaping of functions from political institutions. On the other hand, socialization entails the process whereby individuals recognize code of conduct expected of them with respect to the attitudes, values, and beliefs of their society. Politics and socialization are two fundamental societal aspects because political socialization enables the government to improve relationships with the citizens and as well, in communicating the roles, responsibilities, and the rights of people (Elena and Yvon, 2010).
The agents of political socialization are many and varied provided they contribute in enabling people to learn political values and cultures. These agents include education institutions, the family, religion, the government, and mass media influences (Elena and Yvon, 2010). First, the family is one of the most powerful agents of political socialization because nearly all political beliefs of individuals are acquired from family experiences. Absorbed perceptions are developed at an early age, most of them coming from conversations heard within the family.
Second, educational institutions offer rich avenues and opportunities for cultivating and influencing political beliefs. As such, exposure to political cultures improves as individuals are subjected to higher levels of education. Similarly, religions play a fundamental role in influencing political beliefs. Fourth, the government is another agent of political socialization because the majority of government policies are intended to bring specific objectives within the society (Elena and Yvon, 2010). Finally yet indispensable, the mass media including the internet exerts immense influencing in shaping political views and beliefs. In my opinion, the mass media exerts the greatest influence in shaping my political beliefs because of the rich source of information it provides regarding the political system.
References
Elena P. A, and Yvon P., (2010). "The practice of socialization and the socialization of
practice,” Society and Business Review, 5 (1), pp.10 - 21
