We the People: Chapter 7
Civic Duty
A civic attitude toward voting A belief that they ought to participate in public affairs
Alienation
A civic attitude toward voting A feeling of powerlessness rooted in the belief that government ignores their interests
Apathy
A civic attitude toward voting A lack of interest in politics
Through voting
After democratic governments came into existence, how do citizens express themselves?
Just as a more imposing registration system reduces voter turnout in the United States, a more extensive electoral structure produces higher campaign involvement in the United States.
Americans were about five times more likely to take an active part in political campaigns and were twice as likely to converse with other people about their preferred candidate or party. Why are Americans more likely than Europeans to take part in election activity even though they are less likely to show up at the polls on Election Day?
No, only a small amount
Do most citizens engage in campaigning and lobbying activities?
People resorted to protest
During the predemocratic era, how did people express displeasure with their rulers?
They grow out of conditions that have been allowed to fester, creating anger and anxiety
How do political movements develop?
States with more convenient registration laws have higher turnout than other states. States with restrictive laws have turnout rates well below the national average.
How do registration laws impact the voter turnout in U.S. states?
The older a person gets, the more important he or she sees voting as
How does age impact the likelihood of an American voting?
The pattern of political influence in the United States parallels the distribution of economic influence. Those who have the least power in the marketplace also have the least power in the political arena.
How does political influence go hand-in-hand with economic influence?
Minority groups are typically poorer, which means they can't afford the time to go vote. The government has historically disenfranchiased these groups, which creates a trend of not voting in those communities
How does race / minority status impact the likelihood of an American voting?
If registration is eased, the number of voters expands. If it is made harder, the number of voters shrinks.
How does the ease or difficulty of registration impact voter turnout?
Compared with Europeans, Americans are a more religious people and place more emphasis on public schools. Churches and schools are a primary source of group activity, everything from religious auxiliary groups to Parent-Teacher Associations.
How does the nature of community life in the United States contribute to Americans' tendency to participate in groups?
Wealth and education interact with each other. Educated people tend to hold higher paying jobs and in turn have more time to vote (they can afford to take time off to vote). With lower-income, people have more difficulty taking time off to vote. In addition, educated people tend to come from families that place importance on both education and voting (family is a key agent of socialization)
How does wealth and education impact the likelihood of an American voting?
Political movements take place largely outside established institutions in the form of protest rallies, marches, and the like. However, participation through interest groups or political parties takes place largely within established institutions, such as legislative bodies and elections.
How is participation in political movements different from participation in interest groups?
Although the vote gives citizens control over government, the vote also gives government control over citizens. Because they have been elected by the voters, public officials can claim to be constitutionally empowered even if they pursue policies that are opposed by a majority of the people or that contradict what they promised to do if elected.
How is voting double-edged?
Higher turnout among liberals and conservatives results in an increase in the number of ideologues nominated and elected to Congress. Their presence in Congress results in intensified partisan conflict over bills, which can lead to legislative deadlock.
How might higher voter turnout among liberals and conservatives affect what happens in Congress?
Barriers to participation must be low, and they must be low for all citizens
In order for the largest portion of citizens to participate politically, what must be true?
No, protests are less common today in the United States than in other democracies. Public support is also relatively low
Is protesting common today in America? How does the public view this activity?
Fifteenth Amendment
The constitutional amendment adopted in 1870 to extend suffrage to African Americans
Nineteenth Amendment
The constitutional amendment adopted in 1920 that extends suffrage to women.
Twenty-Sixth Amendment
The constitutional amendment passed in 1971 that lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, thus extending suffrage to young adults.
Black Lives Matter (BLM), March for Our Lives, #MeToo
What are some contemporary social movements?
Beside voting, there's joining political groups, writing to elected officials, demonstrating for political causes, and giving money to political candidates.
What are some examples of political participation?
The average American voter is a 60 year-old, white, wealthy, educated female.
What does the average American voter look like?
Voter identification cards; Republicans
What is a recent device used to discourage voter turnout? Who supports these tools (and subsequently passed laws mandating their use)?
Internet participation; fundraising for campaigns (easier for small donors to contribute)
What is a relatively new venue for political participation? Give an example of political participation on this medium.
The motivation to join
What is the chief obstacle to participation in activites such as community groups?
The Civil Rights Movement
What social movement has had the largest and most lasting effect?
white, property-owning males
Who could originally vote in the United States?
One reason is the emphasis that the American culture places on individualism.
Why are most Americans not highly active in politics?
Party loyalists are more familiar with the policy differences between the parties and therefore more likely to understand an election's consequences.
Why are party loyalists more likely to vote than independents?
One reason is that religion plays a larger role in American society. Americans are more than twice as likely as Europeans to attend church regularly, which increases the likelihood they will engage in church-related community activity. Another reason is that compared with cities and towns in Europe, those in the United States have greater control over local policy, which provides residents an incentive to participate in local affairs.
Why do Americans participate in their communities in higher amounts than Europeans?
America's lower turnout level owes to its more demanding registration requirement and frequent elections.
Why is the voter turnout in U.S. elections so low?
Many residents of these states live in smaller communities with relatively stable populations. People in such communities are more likely to know each other and work together on community activities.
Why might the more northern states that lie west of the Mississippi River have higher than average volunteer rates?
It was passed during the Vietnam War draft. Supporters of the amendment rallied behind the cry "If you're old enough to die, you're old enough to vote".
Why was the 26th Amendment passed?
Americans are asked to vote two to three times as often as Europeans, which increases the likelihood that they will not participate every time. For example, the U.S. holds elections for the lower chamber of the national legislature at a frequent interval. In addition, the U.S. also has local elections being held on odd-numbered years and primary elections for party nominees.
With regards to election frequency, why is voter turnout lower in the U.S. than in other democracies?
Although other democracies also require registration, most of them place the responsibility on government (meaning the govt. will register you to vote automatically). In keeping with its individualistic culture, registration is the individual's responsibility in the United States. There is more burden on Americans to register, causing many not to vote.
With regards to voter registration, why is voter turnout lower in the U.S. than in other democracies?
Political (social) movements
a way for citizens disenchanted with government policy to actively express their opposition
Political participation
involvement in activities intended to influence public policy and leadership
Social capital
the face-to-face interactions between people that contribute to a sense of community and foster civic cooperation
Voter turnout
the proportion of adult citizens who actually vote in a given election
Suffrage
the right to vote
