Jessica Schildt
Ms. Duquette
AP Gov/Politics
3 December 2010
Defining Political Participation
For many citizens, both in the United States and in the world, political participation is something that other people do. Largely lacking in personal meaning, this concept remains at a distance; whether out of distrust or indifference, political participation seems to grow in unpopularity as time passes. However, 2010 saw a different situation, at least for America. External interest in politics was proudly displayed in homes, at rallies, on television, and- eventually- on Election Day. The heightened political atmosphere in America is an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn about the value of high political efficacy, which is best obtained through political participation.
In response to changing economic, social, and industrial times, Americans have focused much of their lives around politics. Examples include the boom of muckraking and yellow journalism in the late nineteenth/early twentieth centuries, as well as the Great Depression, the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, and a few elections in the 1990s. All of these instances have a common thread: that the people increased their political efficacy- their “capacity to understand and influence political events” (“American Political Culture”) - in attempts to better their lives or the condition of the country. In most of these cases, external efficacy (that which involves using political observation to create change) was very apparent. People saw a problem, learned about the differing sides, and formed solutions that they worked hard to implement. They participated in protests (Civil Rights movement and Vietnam War), wrote about politics in media outlets (yellow journalism, muckrakers, and- much later- Walter Cronkite), and then participated in elections (the Congressional turn-overs in the 1990s). History supports political participation as a successful means for each citizen to utilize in whatever way they choose.
The Founding Fathers would have been satisfied (regardless of the issues themselves) to see such high levels of political participation during these times in American history, although preferably, political participation would be at these levels more consistently. Notice that the earliest examples of strong, effective political observation exist in the founding of our country. The Constitution was written during a time when political participation determined the fate of the United States; citizens, observing this, would theoretically work to enhance their political efficacy. Perhaps the level of political participation existing currently will last far longer than in any other period. Regardless, it is useful for teaching Americans the value of increasing their political knowledge and awareness, and participating in the process.
Works Cited
“American Political Culture.” Retrieved from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Mmu2MiUyKn0J:cyfair3.schoolwires.net/195120511192830107/lib/195120511192830107/_files/AMERICAN_PARTIES_POLITICAL_CULTURE_STUDY_GUIDE.doc+%22Many+third+world+nations+have+adopted+the+American+constitutional+model,+hoping+to+institute+features+such+as+federalism,+an+elected+president,+a+bicameral+legislature,+and+separation+of+powers.%22+title+of+book%3F&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
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