1. Political Participation
Democracies

2. Political Participation
Beliefs & Behaviors
Political Participation
What ways can people get involved in the political process?

3. Political Participation
Beliefs & Behaviors

4. Beliefs & Behaviors Participation Political Participation
Any activity that affects or involves the political sphere
Can range from voting to terrorism
Typically some level of political participation is viewed as a desirable outcome in a democracy
Requires opportunity, effort, and motivation

5. Beliefs & Behaviors Participation Why People Participate Idealism
People believe strongly in a particular idea
Responsibility
People feel it’s something they are supposed to do in a democracy
Self Interest
People promote causes that may lead to a benefit or profit for them
Enjoyment
People enjoy being politically engaged, meet friends, etc.

6. Beliefs & Behaviors Participation Why People Don’t Participate
Contentment
People may just be satisfied with the status quo – might participate if they were upset
Freedom
People have the freedom to not participate
Apathy
People don’t care or don’t even know
Alienation
People believe their participation doesn’t matter anyway

7. Beliefs & Behaviors Participation Forms of Political Participation
Conventional Participation
Unconventional Participation
Ways that people are expected to participate
Ways that people are not supposed to act.
Participate in govt. but get no attention
Disrupt order but get lots of attention.
EX: voting, join a party, donate money
EX: protesting, boycotts, civil disobedience

8. Beliefs & Behaviors Participation Forms of Conventional Participation
Voting
Joining a Political Party
Contacting your Congressman
Joining an Interest Group
Donating Money
Volunteering for a Campaign
Speaking at a
“Town Hall”
Running for Office

9. Political Efficacy
Beliefs & Behaviors

10. Beliefs & Behaviors Efficacy The Paradox of Political Participation
Logically, the costs of participation tend to outweigh the benefits
Voting – takes time & effort
(knowing, learning about, actually go)
The chance that one’s vote will decide the outcome of an election is microscopic
One vote doesn’t make a difference - BUT if everyone felt this way, democracy would stop functioning.

11. Beliefs & Behaviors Efficacy Political Efficacy
A person’s belief about whether or not their participation matters
“Can I actually impact the government?”
People with high levels of political efficacy will participate
People with low levels of political efficacy will not participate

12. Beliefs & Behaviors Efficacy Political Efficacy Internal Efficacy
External Efficacy
Can the person understand the issues?
Does the person think they can influence others?

13. Beliefs & Behaviors Efficacy More likely to have high efficacy
More likely to lower efficacy
More likely to have high efficacy

14. Unconventional Participation
Beliefs & Behaviors

15. Forms of Unconventional Participation
Beliefs & Behaviors
Unconventional
Forms of Unconventional Participation
Protests
Marches
Boycotts
Sit-ins
Civil Disobedience

16. Beliefs & Behaviors Unconventional
Why choose Unconventional Participation ?
People have a high level of political efficacy and feel more intensely about the issue
The activity generates way more attention than conventional participation
It’s not likely to convince public officials to change, but it’s more likely to sway public opinion to your side
It can lead to media attention for your cause

17. Beliefs & Behaviors Efficacy Civil Disobedience
A person’s breaks a law on purpose because they believe the law is unjust
The person is willing to pay the consequences for breaking the law
Paying the consequence is likely to gain media attention or win public support
Susan B Anthony votes in 1872
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on an Alabama bus

18. Political Socialization
Beliefs & Behaviors

19. Ideologies Socialization Political Socialization
The way people develop their
own political opinions
Main sources are family, media, and school
There are other sources with less impact: religion, peers, history, etc.

20. Bigly Ideas
Beliefs & Behaviors

21. History Wrap Up Why people participate Conventional Participation
Unconventional Participation
Civil Disobedience
Focus on these things:
Political Efficacy