Unit 5 - Political Participation Notes

Governing and Citizen Participation

Governing occurs directly through citizen participation and indirectly through institutions.
These institutions (political parties, interest groups, mass media) inform, organize, and mobilize support to influence government and politics.
This results in many venues for citizen influence on policy making.

Self-government depends on both citizen participation and the operation of linkage institutions.
Linkage institutions help citizens connect with the government.
These institutions enable people to become part of the policy-making process.

Media reports public opinion data and can influence the formation of that opinion.
The accuracy of public opinion data depends on scientific polling methods.
Opinion polls are often used as a means of political influence.
The media is sometimes criticized for bias in format, context, and content of information.
This bias impacts public understanding of political information.
Social media presents both opportunities and challenges for democratic participation.

These connect the electorate with the government.
They influence how people relate to and participate in the government's composition, functions, and policy-making agenda.
Social movements develop in response to conditions perceived as negatively impacting specific groups.
Their political strategies aim to change public policy to benefit the adversely impacted group.
Political parties run campaigns to win office and make policy consistent with their platform and goals.
Political parties respond to election results, campaign laws, and changes in information dissemination.
Barriers can prevent candidates outside the two major parties from being elected.
Interest groups are a form of political participation for people with particular policy concerns.
They are sometimes criticized for wielding disproportionate impact on policy-making through organized pressure tactics and money allocation for campaigns and lobbying.

Elections connect citizens with the government.
The number of eligible voters has expanded over time based on constitutional provisions, court rulings, and legislation.
Amendments:
- Fifteenth Amendment: Eliminates political discrimination based on race.
- Nineteenth Amendment: Eliminates political discrimination based on sex.
- Twenty-Fourth Amendment: Eliminates poll taxes.
- Twenty-Sixth Amendment: Eliminates political discrimination based on age for those 18 and older.
Voter turnout is impacted by state provisions regarding voter requirements and qualifications.
Voter turnout varies widely from election to election.
Political candidates use technology and campaign finance laws to communicate their platforms more effectively.
Data regarding voter turnout in the United States provides a foundation for interesting analysis when compared to voter turnout in other democracies.
Political scientists study why voter turnout in the U.S. falls below that in other similar republics.

How have changes in technology influenced political communication and behavior?
Why do levels of participation and influence in politics vary?
How effective are the various methods of political participation in shaping public policies?