ABSTRACT
In 1979, Elkins and Simeon stated that 'political culture is one of the most popular and seductive concepts in political science; it is also one of the most controversial and confused.'l This reflects the fact that the concept has been employed and debated by many scholars; through their theoretical debates they have created a considerable literature on the subject. The concept has, therefore, survived a significant amount of criticism. 'What is distinctive about the concept of political culture, is the enduring nature of its appeal in the face of large body of criticism.,2 The increasing attention given by scholars to the term in the last few years indicates that the concept has had a 'renaissance', as Ronald Inglehart has described it.3 Furthermore, as Almond has said:
the movements that have most actively polemicized against political culture as an explanatory variable (Marxism of various kinds, and rational choice theory) now seem to have run out of steam, appear to be inclined to negotiate settlements, rather than requiring unconditional surrender.4
