Civic culture refers to which of the following?

• A. The geographic distribution of political power within a state.
• B. The democratic habits and beliefs of citizens; correlates with democratic stability and participation.
• C. The total GDP per capita.
• D. The population's religious composition.

Answer: (B)

Civic culture is the set of democratic habits, beliefs, and dispositions that citizens hold toward politics and their institutions. It includes trust in government, a sense of civic duty, belief in the legitimacy of rules, and a willingness to participate—through voting, discussion, joining associations, or volunteering. When these attitudes and practices are widespread, democracy tends to be more stable because people accept outcomes, engage constructively, and cooperate within the system. It also links to higher participation, since citizens see political life as relevant and worth engaging in. This isn’t about where political power is located inside the country, how rich a country is, or the religious makeup of the population; those describe other factors, whereas civic culture focuses on how citizens think and act as participants in a democracy.