Political Participation In The United States

Political participation is at an extremely low rate in the United States. According to Regan, only around fifty-three percent of registered voters actually turned up to the voting booth to cast their votes in the 2016 presidential election (2016). The causation of this epidemic can be explained using numerous trends found throughout American society. Although voting is only one facet of participation in politics, likewise involvement through other means is also very low. This causes numerous complications in regards to our democratic process. These problems could be resolved through the raising of participation. Although this process of getting the American public to get more involved in politics has proven to be problematic, the implementation

He explains that even those with preference of which party wins, the incentives of participating are highly outweighed by the actual costs such as time of voting (Downs 1957). Other factors also come into play which lead to lowered participation. According to Downs, income also plays a key factor into one’s willingness to participate in politics, specifically voting (1957). The costs of voting, such as transportation, as well income lost by taking time off work, also can explain why low voter involvement especially for those who are tight on resources (Downs 2005). With ninety-nine percent of Americans not being in the top one percent it is reasonable to assume that costs such as transportation, time, and loss of income play a huge role in one’s decision to

First, that political participation needs to increased. Also, that low participation negatively affects the democratic process. These arguments can be combined due to their relevance to each other. It is safe to say that political participation as a whole needs to be increased. I personally believe that with increased turnout national unity would increase likewise. Through the implementation of substantive and descriptive representation it promotes political involvement. In the article “Connecting Descriptive and Substantive Representation: An Analysis of Sex Differences in Cosponsorship Activity” by Michele L. Swers it explains that through participation, in this case of women, that it introduces political response (2005). This article can also lend to the argument that with increased political involvement politicians have a better idea of who and how to govern (Swers,