Chapter 8- Political Participation

Chapter 8- Political Participation

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I. A Closer Look at NonvotingI. A Closer Look at Nonvoting

A. The Problem of Nonvoting and its Sources 1. Misleading statistics and different measures

Election Results: (same election)

Turnout- 51% 87%

3. What is the real problem with voter turnout? a. apathy is not the problem

A. The Problem of Nonvoting and its Sources 1. Misleading statistics and different measures

Election Results: (same election)

Turnout- 51% 87%

3. What is the real problem with voter turnout? a. apathy is not the problem

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4. Solution to the problem? a. burden of registration b. Motor Voter Law: (NVRA) 1. DMV 2. State offices 3. By mail

4. Solution to the problem? a. burden of registration b. Motor Voter Law: (NVRA) 1. DMV 2. State offices 3. By mail

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5. Voting not only way to participate in politics

5. Voting not only way to participate in politics

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B. The Rise of the American Electorate

1. 5 stages of electorate growth: a. b. c.

B. The Rise of the American Electorate

1. 5 stages of electorate growth: a. b. c.

d. 1960s 1. 2. 3.

d. 1960s 1. 2. 3.

e. 1. National standards now govern

almost every aspect of voter eligibility

e. 1. National standards now govern

almost every aspect of voter eligibility

2. Voter Turnout- despite increase in size of potential voting population, turnout remains steady

a. 1860-1900 Pres. Elections compared to those since 1900

1. Decline in popular interest; weakening of competitiveness

2. Decline not real,but apparent- HOW?

2. Voter Turnout- despite increase in size of potential voting population, turnout remains steady

a. 1860-1900 Pres. Elections compared to those since 1900

1. Decline in popular interest; weakening of competitiveness

2. Decline not real,but apparent- HOW?

b. “vote early, vote often” c. Australian Ballot: d. strict voter-registration procedures

had intended/unintended consequences

b. “vote early, vote often” c. Australian Ballot: d. strict voter-registration procedures

had intended/unintended consequences

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C. Who Participates in Politics? 1. Forms of participation: a. higher proportions take part in

nonpolitical than political activities b. six forms of participation: 1. Inactives (22%) 2. Voting specialist-

C. Who Participates in Politics? 1. Forms of participation: a. higher proportions take part in

nonpolitical than political activities b. six forms of participation: 1. Inactives (22%) 2. Voting specialist-

3. Campaigners- 4. Communalists- 5. Parochial participants 6. Activists- participate in all forms

3. Campaigners- 4. Communalists- 5. Parochial participants 6. Activists- participate in all forms

2. The Causes of Participation a. education; occupation; income b. religion c. men and women d. race

2. The Causes of Participation a. education; occupation; income b. religion c. men and women d. race

3. Demographic changes can explain decline in turnout- younger; growth of African American population

4. What about schooling? 5. Difficulty of registering has been

made easier

3. Demographic changes can explain decline in turnout- younger; growth of African American population

4. What about schooling? 5. Difficulty of registering has been

made easier

6. Other things: a. youthfulness of population b. effectiveness of political party c. remaining registration difficulty 7. Number of reasons why we register

and vote less frequently = party strength, automatic registration, and voting laws

6. Other things: a. youthfulness of population b. effectiveness of political party c. remaining registration difficulty 7. Number of reasons why we register

and vote less frequently = party strength, automatic registration, and voting laws

D. Meaning of Participation Rates 1. 1967-1987: voting % dropped, but

other forms went up a. campaigning, contacting officials,

community issues b. public demonstrations 2. Number of elected offices is huge =

less importance

D. Meaning of Participation Rates 1. 1967-1987: voting % dropped, but

other forms went up a. campaigning, contacting officials,

community issues b. public demonstrations 2. Number of elected offices is huge =

less importance