Like in Skyrim it was sort of like tough country life religious freedom vs. control by a distant government but greater cosmopolitan tolerance. In eso I'd say it's...
Pact: survival of the fittest, no allegiance to any higher ideals.
Covenant: focus on commerce and pragmatism with little time for idealism.
Dominion: tradition and pride in culture, with a supreme religious authority, at times sacrificing the common good for the sake of cherished and sometimes conflicting dogmas.