© 2010 Pearson Education Chapter 5 Political Participation

Case Study: Voting in 2008 More people voted than in any previous presidential election. –131 million cast ballots –61.1% voting-eligible voters cast ballots

Forms of Participation Political participationPolitical participation –Activity that has the intent or effect of influencing government action –Most common form — voting –Other methods of participation Election campaigningElection campaigning Contacting public officialsContacting public officials Joining and/or supporting interestJoining and/or supporting interestgroups Unconventional political acts, i.e.,Unconventional political acts, i.e., protest demonstrations

Explaining Participation The most important factors influencing individual participationThe most important factors influencing individual participation –Personal resources –Psychological engagement –Voter mobilization –Community involvement

Patterns of Participation Political science research shows that political participation rates vary based on –Income –Age –Race/ethnicity –Gender

Patterns of Participation

Trends in Voter Turnout The Vanishing Voter DebateThe Vanishing Voter Debate –Voting age population (VAP) –Voting eligible population (VEP) Using the VAP to calculate participation rates is a debatable practice that may overestimate a decline in voter turnout.

Trends in Voter Turnout The 2004 and 2008 presidential elections suggest that the United States is experiencing a voting revival. -Massive voter mobilization efforts -GOTV campaigns -Increase in battleground states -High public interest in the elections -Important national decisions on the war on terror and the declining economy; hot-button issues such as gay marriage, healthcare reform.

Trends in Voter Turnout

Participation Rates in Comparative Perspective When compared to other industrialized democracies, the United States hasWhen compared to other industrialized democracies, the United States has –Relatively low-voter participation rates, but –Citizens tend to be more active than those in other nations in some other areas of political participation.

Participation Bias Characteristics of individuals who are more likely to participate politically than othersCharacteristics of individuals who are more likely to participate politically than others –Older –Employed –Better educated –Married –Own their homes –Attend church –Identify with a political party –Belong to a political organization –Identify with their ethnic group, particularly if they believe their group suffers discrimination

Conclusion: Political Participation and Public Policy America’s constitutional systemAmerica’s constitutional system –Makes it difficult to see a relationship between individual participation and public policy Impact of the typical individual acting aloneImpact of the typical individual acting alone –Limited to local election contests –Local issues of narrow focus However, the collective impact of individual participation can significantly influence policy.However, the collective impact of individual participation can significantly influence policy.