Political Participation
...le with a strong sense of efficacy are more likely to be politically active then someone with a weak sense of efficacy. (Introduction to American Government, Stephenson-pg. 161). The central problem facing our nation as a younger generation matures into “the people who run the nation,” is apathy. This apathy is expressed in a non-voting and non-awareness. It isn’t a scourge, just something to be considered, to be concerned with. In a survey, conducted by The International Social Justice Project, citizens from five democratic countries were polled on whether or not they voted in the last election. As far as participation in national elections, the United States trailed all others. Eighty-nine percent of citizens of Germany and Japan voted in the last election. Only seventy percent of citizens in the United States voted in their election. (The Challenge of Democracy-Janla, Berry,Goldman-Seventh Edition-pg. 208). While not extremely conclusive this suggests a general apathy as well. In another survey conducted by the Inter Parliamentary Union the voter turnout was again poor. In Australia, ninety-five of voters participated. In stark comparison only forty-eight percent of voters in the United States voted. (The Challenge of Democracy-Janda, Berry, Goldman-Seventh Edition-pg.216). Our representative democracy doesn't function properly if the representatives do not know, or fail to act in the best interests of the people. The people, the electorate, the voters have the ability to make representatives accountable, but they can only do this through active participation. About twenty-two percent of the population are inactive. These people take virtually no part in political life. Lower status social and economic groups, African Americans, women, the youngest, the oldest, and the least concerned about politics are particularly likely to fall into this category. (Introduction to American Government-Stephenson-pg.166). The 26th Amendment was set up in 1971 for this reason. To make citizens more able to vote. The Amendment states “The right of citizens in the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any other state on account of age.” (Introduction to American Government-Stephenson-pg.424). The outcome of this amendment should have been an increase in voter turnout. But it wasn’t. The younger generation may be unsure of what party they are for. After September 11th a poll was taken, should parties compromise and work together or stick to their positions as separate parties? The result of the poll was seventy-five percent said that the two parties should compromise. (The Effects of September 11th-Hershey-pg.105-106). This compromising makes it hard for a young voter to decide what party they are behind. So they just don’t vote as a result. These actions that people can take are a large part of the political system. Essentially, it is required for effective governing for the people to be involved, or it isn't a democracy. A democr...