what do you think accounts for the general lack of knowledge, participation, and interest in politics?

Question

Given the low levels of political sophistication in American society, what do you think accounts for the general lack of knowledge, participation, and interst in politics? What steps might be taken to improve this in the future?

Answer 1

All the great political turning points for this country seem to have happened during times of international unrest. Vietnam, the hostages in Iran, the first gulf war, and now the war on terror all have and will produce political change for the better in this country.
I think times like this give us all the opportunity to rediscover what it means to be an American.

Answer 2

I don't live in America, but there is also a low level of political awareness in the country that I live in. Lack of participation definitely stems from the lack of knowledge. I don't know why there is a lack of knowledge of politics. I suppose it relates to the lack of political education in high school and/or primary school. Anyway lack of knowledge could also stem from a lack of interest. And a lack of interest may be caused by several things.

Ordinary people feel lost listening to a policy reading. They probably do not know how a certain policy may affect them, if it is not paraphrased by a journalist. Policy reading goes on for hours and some of the contents are only comprehensible to people who have studied social science/economics and thus know the impact of these policies on their lives. When you don't understand a subject and there is no one educating you on it you will lose interest on that subject. Some people may be resigned to believe that their individual votes mean nothing to the overall results and thus do not take an interest in politics because they think they're the only ones who vote randomly. Unfortunately when a group of people think like this, the effect is quite disastrous.

Another possible reason for the lack of interest is that politicians have a non-trustworthy image. Their statements are often made just to give a certain impression on people and often it is only half the truth. This could deter people from seriously considering their policies and shift the focus from understanding policy to proving its validity. Some people give up on politics because of this reason. They see that their effort in understanding would not reward them with making a better choice because it is all based on lies.

What could we do to improve this: politicians need to be more accountable to their promises. People have to also understand that every vote does count.

Answer 3

There is no longer any place to get facts without editorial. I mean if you watch news or read you always get someone else's opinions. Usually partisan and close minded. You will get their facts or their spin on the other guys facts. There is no media anymore. Also people are so divided they will support their leaders no matter what because "they are still better than the other guy".

Could you think of Nixons generation doing that. But I have heard both the liberals and conservatives saying that about the last two presidents. Scary!!

To improve it....hmmm the abolishment of interest groups business influence and maybe political parties. Maybe a real media school that goes back to the need of a press.

OOOOOO How about a true democracy we can get excited about.

Answer 4

Politic`s is seen as a platform for the elite rich to play on. I peronally believe it impossible to relate to a politician with a personal fortune of $Billion. How can he possibly understand that a simple change in policy costing me $50 a month would cause a drastic reduction in my quality of life? I don`t think people even try to get under the skin of politics, It is literally too big for some of their minds, so they just carry on in ignorance. You see a lot of that on Answers. The solution is extremely complicated. I have said this before and i will say it again. When an ordinary everyday American who lives as we live can be elected president, the USA will be a thousand times better. Maybe it will regain the respect successive administrations have thrown into the gutter with reckless abandon.

Answer 5

Far Left Wing ACLU Adoring Liberal Democrats have Gay and Lesbians that fill their ranks, that control their party, and a host of other special interest groups not the least of which is George $oros, so forever now and historically perverts flock to the Left and the Heartland stays moderate, Middle and Right..

It's not a matter of knowledge it's a matter of morals and sexual preference?

Remember Slick Willy Clinton? Inserting "cigars" into the vagina of Monica in the Oval Office no less, LYING UNDER OATH IMPEACHED and the Democrats still worship the ground he walks on ... go figure!

Answer 6

we now live in the age where if there is someone saying it... they can put up a blog and get other folks who don't know anything about the issue to believe it...

I mean I've seen the Bush slams about him being in a secret cult and the liberal slams about them all being gay...in the end, it's all ridiculous...

basically... it's a free for all... facts aren't usually needed...

people are too concerned with their own lives and job to take time to look at what their leaders are doing... and the vast majority of it isn't affecting them personally anyway... but I have a feeling that the rise in health care, gas and tuition has gotten the attention of at least some people...

Answer 7

Ignorance and apathy.
And a great propensity to be dazzled by the idiot with the most money and biggest show. In the USA 'intelligence' is not measured by what you know, but by how big your bank account is.
What steps should be taken? I don't know. Maybe the Bush 'legacy' will make people more aware of how important their votes are.

Answer 8

The political climate is changing. I guarantee that we will have a record turn out at the ballot box for the next election

Answer 9

Too much double talk, information is skewed. Schools teach a selective version of US History, Americans aren't encouraged to know about its foreign policy.

General annoyance.

Answer 10

The Masses beleive that "the government " will not only take care of them,but of itself.