Political Attitude and Personality in a Democratic Society
Journal
THE WESTERN BALKANS POLICY REVIEW
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
DOI
http://www.kppcenter.org/wbpreview.html
Abstract
Achieving democracy is the main goal and long term dedication of all Western Balkan countries,
especially in the context of the efforts to achieve EU membership. Democratization is a long-term
process for these countries, where transition was connected to war (as was the transition of former
Yugoslav republics). Transition is a period between two political systems. The transition away from
socialism in former Yugoslavia began with nationalism and traditionalism. Thus, the transformation of
political attitudes (which means the transformation of political culture) is essential to establishing a
democratic society. Establishing democratic institutions in those countries is just a beginning. As
researchers and theoreticians have note, democracy cannot be sustained in a society without
transforming the political attitudes and political culture of citizens. The political culture of citizens should
contain elements of a participative culture such as having a sense of responsibility for society and
becoming concerned about human rights and human development. Research conducted in the
Republic of Macedonia shows that socialism is still the dominant political ideology among students.
Almost 80% of students have socialist political beliefs (Markovic, 2008). Another research study among
students shows the internalizing of political attitudes depends on certain personality traits (Markovic,
2009). These findings show that personality can be shaped, and that certain personality profiles
correspond with democratic identity. For example, this research (Markovic, 2009) shows that
neuroticism influences introjections of traditional attitudes about family, education and freedom of
speech. Openness to experiences and extroversion influence attraction to democratic attitudes about
family, education, and freedom of speech. These findings show that personality can be shaped through
education and most importantly, through real life lessons about good practices of democratic credo.
especially in the context of the efforts to achieve EU membership. Democratization is a long-term
process for these countries, where transition was connected to war (as was the transition of former
Yugoslav republics). Transition is a period between two political systems. The transition away from
socialism in former Yugoslavia began with nationalism and traditionalism. Thus, the transformation of
political attitudes (which means the transformation of political culture) is essential to establishing a
democratic society. Establishing democratic institutions in those countries is just a beginning. As
researchers and theoreticians have note, democracy cannot be sustained in a society without
transforming the political attitudes and political culture of citizens. The political culture of citizens should
contain elements of a participative culture such as having a sense of responsibility for society and
becoming concerned about human rights and human development. Research conducted in the
Republic of Macedonia shows that socialism is still the dominant political ideology among students.
Almost 80% of students have socialist political beliefs (Markovic, 2008). Another research study among
students shows the internalizing of political attitudes depends on certain personality traits (Markovic,
2009). These findings show that personality can be shaped, and that certain personality profiles
correspond with democratic identity. For example, this research (Markovic, 2009) shows that
neuroticism influences introjections of traditional attitudes about family, education and freedom of
speech. Openness to experiences and extroversion influence attraction to democratic attitudes about
family, education, and freedom of speech. These findings show that personality can be shaped through
education and most importantly, through real life lessons about good practices of democratic credo.
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