ABSTRACT
Hypotheses linking lower-class leftist radicalism to the political primitivism caused by lack of education, lack of media exposure, infrequent participation in organizations, and personal isolation are examined on the basis of data from 382 Chilean urban slum dwellers. Consistent rejection of these hypotheses leads to an examination of their main assumptions. Leftist radicalism is viewed by them as an abnormal development constituting, basically, a simplistic reaction to personal frustrations and solitude. An alternative image of this ideology suggests that its emergence may follow normal processes of attitude formation through differential socialization. Tests involving three indicators of political socialization lend support to this alternative theory. Limitations of empirical findings and applicability of political primitivism and differential socialization explanations under varying societal conditions are discussed.
