Relationship Between Political Culture and Social Classes; Case Study, City of Ardabil

    Introduction: One of the factors influencing political development is the orientation of the political system and the political role of the individuals in that society. These political orientations and actions of individuals could be different among social classes. (According to economic and cultural capital) The present study seeks to identify the political culture of social classes. Method: This study was conducted with a survey method and by questionnaire with a sample size of 400 people in Ardabil in 2019. Finding: The results showed the type of political culture of the middle class and the lower class is the subject – parochial and political culture of upper classes is Participant. Results of analysis of variance and Scheffe test showed that there isn’t any significant difference in middle and lower class political culture but the upper-class political culture had a significant difference with middle and lower class political culture. Confirmatory factor analysis of political culture indicators was performed by Amos Graphic software and the variables of social class, age and gender in relation to political culture were significant by regression test. In totally, there is a gap between the political system and individuals in society. Discussion: The political culture of the social classes in Iran shows the gap between the political system and the people, institutional distrust, avoidance of authoritarianism and complicating the issue of politics. Thus, political culture has grown in the minds and thoughts, but it has lagged behind in behavioral and practical dimensions, which can be due to the "costs of political activity", or due to the "political culture" that has existed in Iran throughout history. . Also, due to the political culture of the middle and lower classes are not significantly different and the type of political culture of these classes is the subject – parochial, these classes have become politically inactive and have affected the political development of society.