The Civic Culture (Almond & Verba)

The Civic Culture, developed by Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba, is a theory about the ideal balance of political attitudes within a society. It suggests that a healthy democracy relies on a mix of political participation, trust in government, and political knowledge—combining "participant" citizens who actively engage, "subject" citizens who accept authority, and "spectator" citizens who stay informed but are less involved. This balanced culture helps ensure stability, trust, and effective governance by encouraging both civic engagement and respect for institutions.