am gov 2010 joseph a. losco ralph e. baker. political participation chapter 7

AM GOV 2010AM GOV 2010

Joseph A. Losco Joseph A. Losco

Ralph E. BakerRalph E. Baker

POLITICAL POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONPARTICIPATION

Chapter 7Chapter 7

As You ReadAs You Read

What is the nature of political participation in What is the nature of political participation in America?America?

What are the major forms of political What are the major forms of political participation and what resources do they participation and what resources do they require?require?

What is the nature of voting in the United What is the nature of voting in the United States?States?

3© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: OPPORTUNITIES, COSTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES, COSTS, AND

BENEFITS BENEFITS All political and civic activities involve trade-offs All political and civic activities involve trade-offs

between the cost of involvement and the perceived between the cost of involvement and the perceived benefits.benefits.

Rational actor theory states that choices are based on Rational actor theory states that choices are based on our individual assessment of costs and benefits. our individual assessment of costs and benefits.

Those who enjoy the benefits from an activity without Those who enjoy the benefits from an activity without paying the costs of participation are known as free paying the costs of participation are known as free riders.riders.

Free riders are a problem in societies that do not force Free riders are a problem in societies that do not force people to participate in the political system in order to people to participate in the political system in order to receive its benefits.receive its benefits.


CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Different forms of political participation Different forms of political participation

provide different amounts of information. provide different amounts of information. Voting conveys very limited informationVoting conveys very limited information Working for a candidate, joining a political party, Working for a candidate, joining a political party,

or contributing money to a campaign imparts more or contributing money to a campaign imparts more information than voting aloneinformation than voting alone

Activities that impart more information may Activities that impart more information may involve higher costs in terms of time or moneyinvolve higher costs in terms of time or money


CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Some forms of participation provide more Some forms of participation provide more

frequent messages.frequent messages. Voting is low frequency; an individual can only Voting is low frequency; an individual can only

vote once per electionvote once per election Donations are high frequency; an individual can Donations are high frequency; an individual can

donate time or money more than once per campaigndonate time or money more than once per campaign The frequency and strength of a political message is The frequency and strength of a political message is

strongly related to the amount of resources the strongly related to the amount of resources the sender possessessender possesses


INGREDIENTS FOR INGREDIENTS FOR INVOLVEMENTINVOLVEMENT

Acts of political participation require the expenditure of Acts of political participation require the expenditure of resources such as time, money, or expertise.resources such as time, money, or expertise.

The wealthy are more than twice as likely as those in The wealthy are more than twice as likely as those in low-income groups to participate in all forms of low-income groups to participate in all forms of political activity.political activity.

Better-educated individuals are more likely to engage Better-educated individuals are more likely to engage in electoral activities and community activities.in electoral activities and community activities.

Religious institutions with open leadership positions Religious institutions with open leadership positions often provide opportunities to learn civic skills. often provide opportunities to learn civic skills.

Upper-income jobs provide more opportunities than Upper-income jobs provide more opportunities than low-skill jobs to develop resources that are useful for low-skill jobs to develop resources that are useful for political life. political life.



Political participation varies by ethnicity and Political participation varies by ethnicity and gender.gender. Whites participate in greater numbers than African Whites participate in greater numbers than African

AmericansAmericans Hispanics have lower participation rates than either Hispanics have lower participation rates than either

whites or African Americanswhites or African Americans African Americans and whites with similar levels African Americans and whites with similar levels

of education vote at about the same ratesof education vote at about the same rates



Women vote at higher rates than menWomen vote at higher rates than men Men contribute more money to political campaigns Men contribute more money to political campaigns

and contact political leaders more often than and contact political leaders more often than womenwomen

A psychological predisposition toward political A psychological predisposition toward political involvement is called political engagementinvolvement is called political engagement



Political mobilization is the process of Political mobilization is the process of encouraging citizens to become politically encouraging citizens to become politically involved.involved. Direct mobilization involves contacting citizens Direct mobilization involves contacting citizens

personally to take part in political activitiespersonally to take part in political activities In indirect mobilization, leaders use networks of In indirect mobilization, leaders use networks of

friends and acquaintances to persuade others to friends and acquaintances to persuade others to participateparticipate



Several factors affect political mobilization.Several factors affect political mobilization. Mobilization efforts are timed to enhance the Mobilization efforts are timed to enhance the

success of the causesuccess of the cause Politicians target those they believe will respond Politicians target those they believe will respond

positively to their messagepositively to their message The cost of the political action requested affects The cost of the political action requested affects

mobilizationmobilization


VOTING VOTING

Voter turnout increases directly with Voter turnout increases directly with employment status and wealth, level of employment status and wealth, level of education, and age.education, and age.

Average rates of voter turnout in the United Average rates of voter turnout in the United States compare unfavorably to rates in other States compare unfavorably to rates in other democracies.democracies.

Voter turnout and interest is especially low Voter turnout and interest is especially low among young people.among young people.


VOTING VOTING

Several factors account for low voter turnout.Several factors account for low voter turnout. Difficulty of voter registrationDifficulty of voter registration Timing and scheduling of electionsTiming and scheduling of elections Two-party-system depression of voting interest Two-party-system depression of voting interest

among lower-income groupsamong lower-income groups The great number and frequency of elections in the The great number and frequency of elections in the

United StatesUnited States Noncompetitive political racesNoncompetitive political races


OTHER FORMS OF OTHER FORMS OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Americans show greater levels of participation in Americans show greater levels of participation in

more time-consuming political activities such as more time-consuming political activities such as campaign work or contact with public officials.campaign work or contact with public officials.

The affluent are more likely to write letters, The affluent are more likely to write letters, volunteer on campaigns, contact elected officials, volunteer on campaigns, contact elected officials, and work on solving community problems.and work on solving community problems.

Modern politicians and activists increasingly rely Modern politicians and activists increasingly rely on financial support as a form of participation. on financial support as a form of participation.


OTHER FORMS OF OTHER FORMS OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Some scholars worry that “checkbook Some scholars worry that “checkbook

democracy” depresses voter interest and shuts democracy” depresses voter interest and shuts the less affluent out of the political process.the less affluent out of the political process.

Average citizens are using consumer activism Average citizens are using consumer activism to make political or social statements with their to make political or social statements with their buying power.buying power.


THE IMPACT OF PARTICIPATION THE IMPACT OF PARTICIPATION PATTERNS ON POLICYPATTERNS ON POLICY

Voting data indicate that the attitudes and Voting data indicate that the attitudes and preferences of voters and nonvoters are preferences of voters and nonvoters are substantially similar.substantially similar.

Wealthier citizens are three times more likely Wealthier citizens are three times more likely as the disadvantaged to contact elected as the disadvantaged to contact elected officials.officials.

Political leaders are thus more likely to hear Political leaders are thus more likely to hear about the concerns of the wealthy such as about the concerns of the wealthy such as taxes, government spending, and the budget.taxes, government spending, and the budget.


PARTICIPATION AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TODAYENGAGEMENT TODAY

Voting rates and other forms of political Voting rates and other forms of political participation are on the rise, but there is no participation are on the rise, but there is no guarantee that this will continue.guarantee that this will continue.

To increase participation we must make it less To increase participation we must make it less costly in terms of time and money.costly in terms of time and money.

There has been a reduced focus on civics and There has been a reduced focus on civics and government in the high school curriculum over government in the high school curriculum over the last generation.the last generation.


Attributes of Political ActivitiesAttributes of Political Activities


Resources Necessary for Various Resources Necessary for Various Types of Political ActivitiesTypes of Political Activities


Political Activity Among High and Political Activity Among High and Low Income GroupsLow Income Groups


Participation Rates Participation Rates by Race and Genderby Race and Gender


Political Inactives’ Reasons for Their Political Inactives’ Reasons for Their InactivityInactivity


I don’t have enough time…………………………………………………39%

I should take care of myself and my family before I worry about the community or nation………………………………………………… 34%

The important things of my life have nothing to do with politics…

20%

I never thought of being involved………………………………………19%

Politics is uninteresting and boring……………………………………17%

Politics can’t help with my personal or family problems…………..17%

Politics is too complicated……………………………………………….

15%

As one individual, I don’t feel I can have an impact…………………

15%

For what I would get out of it, politics is not worth what I would have to put into it………………………………………………………….. 14%

Politics is a dirty business……………………………………………….

13%

I feel burned out……………………………………………………………

9%

It is not my place…………………………………………………………..9%

I don’t like the people……………………………………………………..

7%

It is not my responsibility………………………………………………...

6%

There are no good causes anymore……………………………………

6%

I might get into trouble…………………………………………………...3%


Who Votes?Who Votes?


Voter Turnout in Presidential Voter Turnout in Presidential Elections, 1972Elections, 1972–2008–2008

Presidential Turnout RatesPresidential Turnout Rates19481948––20082008


Average Turnout in National Elections, Average Turnout in National Elections, Western Europe and United States Since 1945Western Europe and United States Since 1945


Percent Increase in Unconventional Percent Increase in Unconventional Participation in Industrialized Democracies, Participation in Industrialized Democracies,

19741974–2000–2000


Percent Voting in Advanced Industrialized Percent Voting in Advanced Industrialized Countries with Compulsory VotingCountries with Compulsory Voting


© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hot or Not?Hot or Not?

Should Should BUYcottingBUYcotting, or selectively , or selectively buying products based on a buying products based on a company’s record of social company’s record of social responsibility, be considered a responsibility, be considered a form of political action?form of political action?

29

Get InvolvedGet Involved

Volunteer your time for a cause you support. Volunteer your time for a cause you support. The possibilities are endless, from food banks The possibilities are endless, from food banks for the hungry to soup kitchens for the homeless for the hungry to soup kitchens for the homeless to homes for the elderly. If you need help to homes for the elderly. If you need help locating an organization or identifying a cause locating an organization or identifying a cause in your area, you will find help at the Points in your area, you will find help at the Points of Light Foundation’s website at of Light Foundation’s website at http://www.pointsoflight.org. .


SummarySummary

What is the nature of political participation What is the nature of political participation in America?in America?

Americans participate in politics in a wide Americans participate in politics in a wide variety of ways. Some activities like voting are variety of ways. Some activities like voting are widespread; others, like running for office, widespread; others, like running for office, attract very few participants. Political attract very few participants. Political involvement often hinges on an invitation to involvement often hinges on an invitation to take part in political activities by a process of take part in political activities by a process of direct or indirect mobilization.direct or indirect mobilization.


SummarySummary

What are the major forms of political What are the major forms of political participation and what resources do they participation and what resources do they require?require?

Voting is the most common form of political Voting is the most common form of political participation, requiring time and some skill but participation, requiring time and some skill but not money; organizing a political meeting not money; organizing a political meeting requires more skill than voting; monetary requires more skill than voting; monetary contributions to campaigns requires money contributions to campaigns requires money that is not a requirement of voting.that is not a requirement of voting.


SummarySummary

What is the nature of voting in the United What is the nature of voting in the United States?States?

Voters differ from nonvoters in resources such Voters differ from nonvoters in resources such as wealth, employment status, and level of as wealth, employment status, and level of education. Voter turnout is also affected by the education. Voter turnout is also affected by the registration requirement, the timing and registration requirement, the timing and scheduling of elections, the existence of the scheduling of elections, the existence of the two-part system, and the number and two-part system, and the number and frequency of elections.frequency of elections.


am gov 2010 joseph a. losco ralph e. baker. political participation chapter 7

Documents

mcgrawhill companies

forms of participation

costs of participation

political system

political participationchapter

political message

political party

political life