Cliff Zukin, Scott Keeter, Molly Andolina, Krista Jenkins, and Michael X. Delli Carpini
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195183177
- eISBN:
- 9780199850822
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195183177.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
In searching for answers as to why young people differ vastly from their parents and grandparents when it comes to turning out the vote, this book challenges the conventional wisdom that today's ...
More
In searching for answers as to why young people differ vastly from their parents and grandparents when it comes to turning out the vote, this book challenges the conventional wisdom that today's youth is plagued by a severe case of political apathy. In order to understand the current nature of citizen engagement, it is critical to separate political from civic engagement. Using the results from an original set of surveys and primary research, the book concludes that while older citizens participate by voting, young people engage by volunteering and being active in their communities.Less
In searching for answers as to why young people differ vastly from their parents and grandparents when it comes to turning out the vote, this book challenges the conventional wisdom that today's youth is plagued by a severe case of political apathy. In order to understand the current nature of citizen engagement, it is critical to separate political from civic engagement. Using the results from an original set of surveys and primary research, the book concludes that while older citizens participate by voting, young people engage by volunteering and being active in their communities.
Cliff Zukin, Scott Keeter, Molly Andolina, Krista Jenkins, and Michael X. Delli Carpini
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195183177
- eISBN:
- 9780199850822
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195183177.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
This chapter illustrates the complete array of current citizen engagement by presenting a lay-of-the-land exposition of what people do across a wide variety of behavioral and cognitive indicators. It ...
More
This chapter illustrates the complete array of current citizen engagement by presenting a lay-of-the-land exposition of what people do across a wide variety of behavioral and cognitive indicators. It discusses political engagement, civic engagement, cognitive engagement, and public voice. It also describes the patterns of involvement found among these four cohorts, finding sharp differences in political and cognitive engagement, but greater similarity in civic work and the expression of public voice. The wide range of ways citizens can participate in public life is captured. A surprising finding of the study is that nearly half of Americans report having engaged in some form of consumer activism in the past year.Less
This chapter illustrates the complete array of current citizen engagement by presenting a lay-of-the-land exposition of what people do across a wide variety of behavioral and cognitive indicators. It discusses political engagement, civic engagement, cognitive engagement, and public voice. It also describes the patterns of involvement found among these four cohorts, finding sharp differences in political and cognitive engagement, but greater similarity in civic work and the expression of public voice. The wide range of ways citizens can participate in public life is captured. A surprising finding of the study is that nearly half of Americans report having engaged in some form of consumer activism in the past year.
Cliff Zukin, Scott Keeter, Molly Andolina, Krista Jenkins, and Michael X. Delli Carpini
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195183177
- eISBN:
- 9780199850822
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195183177.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
This chapter provides a detailed look at the process of engagement, beginning with an overview of the ways a host of resources are linked to participation. Next, it builds a model of citizen ...
More
This chapter provides a detailed look at the process of engagement, beginning with an overview of the ways a host of resources are linked to participation. Next, it builds a model of citizen engagement that illustrates how a plethora of conditions, attitudes, and orientations come together to influence participation. It also takes a closer look at what young people are currently doing in their own environments (in and out of school), the ways their engagement is being spurred, and how these positive influences might account for the divide between the civic and political participation of this cohort. Furthermore, it notices the ways individuals, institutions, and organizations are currently shaping the activism of this youngest cohort, and point to how these various influences may be favoring civic, as opposed to political, engagement. The data from the models suggests that there is no “silver bullet” antidote to apathy and disengagement, but also that widening the many narrow pathways can help more young people find their way to active citizenship and public life.Less
This chapter provides a detailed look at the process of engagement, beginning with an overview of the ways a host of resources are linked to participation. Next, it builds a model of citizen engagement that illustrates how a plethora of conditions, attitudes, and orientations come together to influence participation. It also takes a closer look at what young people are currently doing in their own environments (in and out of school), the ways their engagement is being spurred, and how these positive influences might account for the divide between the civic and political participation of this cohort. Furthermore, it notices the ways individuals, institutions, and organizations are currently shaping the activism of this youngest cohort, and point to how these various influences may be favoring civic, as opposed to political, engagement. The data from the models suggests that there is no “silver bullet” antidote to apathy and disengagement, but also that widening the many narrow pathways can help more young people find their way to active citizenship and public life.
Cliff Zukin, Scott Keeter, Molly Andolina, Krista Jenkins, and Michael X. Delli Carpini
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195183177
- eISBN:
- 9780199850822
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195183177.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
This chapter discusses the remixing of citizen engagement in United States. It also looks on the implications on what it means if current trends continue and how things might be different if a larger ...
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This chapter discusses the remixing of citizen engagement in United States. It also looks on the implications on what it means if current trends continue and how things might be different if a larger group and variety of citizens were to become engaged, or become engaged in a different way. It is also believed that the research provides some possible avenues for improving those areas where the democratic ideal is come short. It is stated that the current and future contours of citizen participation in the United States are changing, largely because members of different generations differ not only in their willingness or ability to participate but also in the types of activities they perform, and that these choices often cluster, even if imperfectly, between involvement in the civic and political realms.Less
This chapter discusses the remixing of citizen engagement in United States. It also looks on the implications on what it means if current trends continue and how things might be different if a larger group and variety of citizens were to become engaged, or become engaged in a different way. It is also believed that the research provides some possible avenues for improving those areas where the democratic ideal is come short. It is stated that the current and future contours of citizen participation in the United States are changing, largely because members of different generations differ not only in their willingness or ability to participate but also in the types of activities they perform, and that these choices often cluster, even if imperfectly, between involvement in the civic and political realms.
Loren Collingwood and Justin Reedy
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199899265
- eISBN:
- 9780199980147
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199899265.003.0011
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory, Democratization
This chapter examines the criticisms leveled against deliberative citizen engagement. It analyzes the merits of those censures and presents counterarguments that deliberation advocates present. ...
More
This chapter examines the criticisms leveled against deliberative citizen engagement. It analyzes the merits of those censures and presents counterarguments that deliberation advocates present. Specifically, critics of deliberation point to low citizen motivation and aptitude, excessive idealism, the privileging of reason-based argumentation, and the inability of citizens to be open-minded as significant problems in instituting deliberative systems. Others raise practical concerns such as deliberation's struggle with representing diverse viewpoints or the divide between deliberative events and policy making. Defenders of deliberation maintain that citizens are interested in deliberative styles of governance, and that these systems can indeed be implemented in practical, cost-effective ways. Practitioners have worked in recent years to accommodate alternative styles of communication, and deliberative forums are more effective than conventional political processes at dealing with prejudices and a wide range of viewpoints. Finally, policy-related deliberative events have been successful, although benefits to participants and costs vary.Less
This chapter examines the criticisms leveled against deliberative citizen engagement. It analyzes the merits of those censures and presents counterarguments that deliberation advocates present. Specifically, critics of deliberation point to low citizen motivation and aptitude, excessive idealism, the privileging of reason-based argumentation, and the inability of citizens to be open-minded as significant problems in instituting deliberative systems. Others raise practical concerns such as deliberation's struggle with representing diverse viewpoints or the divide between deliberative events and policy making. Defenders of deliberation maintain that citizens are interested in deliberative styles of governance, and that these systems can indeed be implemented in practical, cost-effective ways. Practitioners have worked in recent years to accommodate alternative styles of communication, and deliberative forums are more effective than conventional political processes at dealing with prejudices and a wide range of viewpoints. Finally, policy-related deliberative events have been successful, although benefits to participants and costs vary.
Cliff Zukin, Scott Keeter, Molly Andolina, Krista Jenkins, and Michael X. Delli Carpini
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195183177
- eISBN:
- 9780199850822
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195183177.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
This chapter examines the attitudes that underpin the behaviors of the public that are relevant to citizen engagement. Even though there seems to be a clear line of electoral cleavage between the ...
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This chapter examines the attitudes that underpin the behaviors of the public that are relevant to citizen engagement. Even though there seems to be a clear line of electoral cleavage between the oldest and youngest two generations, this shows some important differences between DotNets and GenXers on the one hand and between BabyBoomers and Dutifuls on the other. The chapter begins by presenting new data on the reasons people give for why they do not participate in electoral politics. Then, it looks on how citizens view themselves and the role and responsibilities of citizenship, along with their attitudes about politics, government, and their fellow citizens. The evidence shows there is now a two-generation-wide schism in the realm of electoral participation. The notion of “generational identity” and the views on the obligations of citizenship is explored through a generational prism.Less
This chapter examines the attitudes that underpin the behaviors of the public that are relevant to citizen engagement. Even though there seems to be a clear line of electoral cleavage between the oldest and youngest two generations, this shows some important differences between DotNets and GenXers on the one hand and between BabyBoomers and Dutifuls on the other. The chapter begins by presenting new data on the reasons people give for why they do not participate in electoral politics. Then, it looks on how citizens view themselves and the role and responsibilities of citizenship, along with their attitudes about politics, government, and their fellow citizens. The evidence shows there is now a two-generation-wide schism in the realm of electoral participation. The notion of “generational identity” and the views on the obligations of citizenship is explored through a generational prism.
R. Balasubramaniam
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781501713514
- eISBN:
- 9781501712470
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501713514.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Democratization
This book is an attempt to understand citizen development and engagement. It takes the reader through interpretations of development initiatives at the grassroots and what good governance means to ...
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This book is an attempt to understand citizen development and engagement. It takes the reader through interpretations of development initiatives at the grassroots and what good governance means to ordinary people. The book unravels the power of citizen engagement through the author's experiences of leading civil society campaigns against corruption and towards strengthening democratic participation of people. It also deals with the philosophical underpinnings of public policies, drawing from the author's on-the-ground experience as well as engagement with those in the higher echelons of policymaking and implementation. The last section of the book provides glimpses into milestones of a development movement; milestones that are responsible for a continued faith in citizen engagement despite the hindering forces.Less
This book is an attempt to understand citizen development and engagement. It takes the reader through interpretations of development initiatives at the grassroots and what good governance means to ordinary people. The book unravels the power of citizen engagement through the author's experiences of leading civil society campaigns against corruption and towards strengthening democratic participation of people. It also deals with the philosophical underpinnings of public policies, drawing from the author's on-the-ground experience as well as engagement with those in the higher echelons of policymaking and implementation. The last section of the book provides glimpses into milestones of a development movement; milestones that are responsible for a continued faith in citizen engagement despite the hindering forces.
Cliff Zukin, Scott Keeter, Molly Andolina, Krista Jenkins, and Michael X. Delli Carpini
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195183177
- eISBN:
- 9780199850822
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195183177.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
This chapter provides a broad overview of the economic, cultural, political, and technological environments in the United States of the past forty years. These developments provide a roadmap to the ...
More
This chapter provides a broad overview of the economic, cultural, political, and technological environments in the United States of the past forty years. These developments provide a roadmap to the current nature of citizen engagement. The focus is placed on the social, political, and economic cultures in which GenXers and DotNets grew up, speculating on how these different socialization experiences may lead to differences in political outlook and participation. In many ways, the experiences of GenXers and DotNets are mirror images of each other. Capturing the nature of youth engagement today is important both for what it implies about the future and what it reveals about the past. The habits and preferences of today's young people provide a glimpse of what the future will be like, as DotNets and Xers grow older and began to take up the reins of leadership in the nation.Less
This chapter provides a broad overview of the economic, cultural, political, and technological environments in the United States of the past forty years. These developments provide a roadmap to the current nature of citizen engagement. The focus is placed on the social, political, and economic cultures in which GenXers and DotNets grew up, speculating on how these different socialization experiences may lead to differences in political outlook and participation. In many ways, the experiences of GenXers and DotNets are mirror images of each other. Capturing the nature of youth engagement today is important both for what it implies about the future and what it reveals about the past. The habits and preferences of today's young people provide a glimpse of what the future will be like, as DotNets and Xers grow older and began to take up the reins of leadership in the nation.
John Street, Sanna Inthorn, and Martin Scott
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780719085383
- eISBN:
- 9781781706121
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719085383.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, UK Politics
This chapter argues that previous empirical work on citizen engagement and popular culture has been dominated by a narrow concept of the political. As a consequence, much of this research focused on ...
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This chapter argues that previous empirical work on citizen engagement and popular culture has been dominated by a narrow concept of the political. As a consequence, much of this research focused on factual genres and tended to ignore more subtle expressions of citizen engagement. This chapter makes the case for a wider concept of the political. It suggests that citizen engagement can be understood as an expression of one’s place in the world, which is informed by knowledge of and a relationship with sources of power and social groups, by feelings of affinity and a sense of values.Less
This chapter argues that previous empirical work on citizen engagement and popular culture has been dominated by a narrow concept of the political. As a consequence, much of this research focused on factual genres and tended to ignore more subtle expressions of citizen engagement. This chapter makes the case for a wider concept of the political. It suggests that citizen engagement can be understood as an expression of one’s place in the world, which is informed by knowledge of and a relationship with sources of power and social groups, by feelings of affinity and a sense of values.
Dr. R Balasubramaniam and M N Venkatachaliah
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781501713514
- eISBN:
- 9781501712470
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501713514.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, Democratization
This chapter argues that citizen engagement, democracy, and good governance are all interconnected and each one of them is responsible for the health of the other two. When citizen engagement ...
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This chapter argues that citizen engagement, democracy, and good governance are all interconnected and each one of them is responsible for the health of the other two. When citizen engagement thrives, it invariably leads to a vibrant democracy and eventually towards an environment of mutual trust, respect, and accountability between the state and the citizenry. That, in turn, can pave way for good governance and democratic functioning of the state's institutions. However, the interpretation of good governance and levels of citizen engagement vary widely between communities and so does the state's willingness and comfort levels with citizen engagement. In such a scenario, both the state and the citizenry have to step out of their comfort zones and take it upon themselves to create space for greater dialogue and innovative ways of engagement. The chapter then assesses whether this is really possible given the changing and complex societal dynamics.Less
This chapter argues that citizen engagement, democracy, and good governance are all interconnected and each one of them is responsible for the health of the other two. When citizen engagement thrives, it invariably leads to a vibrant democracy and eventually towards an environment of mutual trust, respect, and accountability between the state and the citizenry. That, in turn, can pave way for good governance and democratic functioning of the state's institutions. However, the interpretation of good governance and levels of citizen engagement vary widely between communities and so does the state's willingness and comfort levels with citizen engagement. In such a scenario, both the state and the citizenry have to step out of their comfort zones and take it upon themselves to create space for greater dialogue and innovative ways of engagement. The chapter then assesses whether this is really possible given the changing and complex societal dynamics.
Matt Qvortrup
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719076589
- eISBN:
- 9781781701560
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719076589.003.0012
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This chapter concludes the book with a discussion of future the prospects for democracy. It sums up the argument, makes recommendations for future studies, and offers suggestions for new forms of ...
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This chapter concludes the book with a discussion of future the prospects for democracy. It sums up the argument, makes recommendations for future studies, and offers suggestions for new forms of participation. Contrary to the often negative assessment of the state of citizen engagement, this chapter contends that if citizen politics is to thrive, a broadening of the political system itself is required to allow for different forms of democratic participation.Less
This chapter concludes the book with a discussion of future the prospects for democracy. It sums up the argument, makes recommendations for future studies, and offers suggestions for new forms of participation. Contrary to the often negative assessment of the state of citizen engagement, this chapter contends that if citizen politics is to thrive, a broadening of the political system itself is required to allow for different forms of democratic participation.
Cliff Zukin, Scott Keeter, Molly Andolina, Krista Jenkins, and Michael X. Delli Carpini
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195183177
- eISBN:
- 9780199850822
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195183177.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
This chapter reviews a wide range of current polling and several important collections of data that offer a window back through time. Specifically, it turns to the question of how the changing nature ...
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This chapter reviews a wide range of current polling and several important collections of data that offer a window back through time. Specifically, it turns to the question of how the changing nature of citizen engagement is likely to affect the substance of politics and governance. Young people have long been a strong constituency for regulation and spending to protect the environment. American youth today face a political world in transition, wherein a national consensus on the value of government has broken down. The successful politician of the next decades will not have to be more attractive, or more hip, to draw young voters. But it is clear that leaders who stress the longstanding issues that provide the foundation of the current party system may not fully appeal to today's youth.Less
This chapter reviews a wide range of current polling and several important collections of data that offer a window back through time. Specifically, it turns to the question of how the changing nature of citizen engagement is likely to affect the substance of politics and governance. Young people have long been a strong constituency for regulation and spending to protect the environment. American youth today face a political world in transition, wherein a national consensus on the value of government has broken down. The successful politician of the next decades will not have to be more attractive, or more hip, to draw young voters. But it is clear that leaders who stress the longstanding issues that provide the foundation of the current party system may not fully appeal to today's youth.
Chris Miller
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9781447312673
- eISBN:
- 9781447312703
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447312673.003.0019
- Subject:
- Political Science, Public Policy
This chapter calls for authentic and sophisticated citizen deliberation in policy making to better address new complexities across public policy and re-visit contemporary understandings of public ...
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This chapter calls for authentic and sophisticated citizen deliberation in policy making to better address new complexities across public policy and re-visit contemporary understandings of public value. Not only will citizen engagement, relatively weak in Australia, enhance the quality of policy making but will reinvigorate the democratic process at a time of increasing disillusionment with representative government, politicians and the political elite. As an example of failed policy making and the absence of any ‘duty of care’ in working through complex issues requiring fundamental change and adaptation the chapter highlights water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin. Within the broader context the governance-governmentality continuum is explored as well as the attractiveness of ‘localism’ The chapter examines recent government led initiatives in Victoria and Queensland as well as highlighting some popular spaces created from within civil society. The chapter concludes on a pessimistic note that there are few signs of a willingness or capacity to engage in the deepening of democracy as a prerequisite for citizen engagement.Less
This chapter calls for authentic and sophisticated citizen deliberation in policy making to better address new complexities across public policy and re-visit contemporary understandings of public value. Not only will citizen engagement, relatively weak in Australia, enhance the quality of policy making but will reinvigorate the democratic process at a time of increasing disillusionment with representative government, politicians and the political elite. As an example of failed policy making and the absence of any ‘duty of care’ in working through complex issues requiring fundamental change and adaptation the chapter highlights water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin. Within the broader context the governance-governmentality continuum is explored as well as the attractiveness of ‘localism’ The chapter examines recent government led initiatives in Victoria and Queensland as well as highlighting some popular spaces created from within civil society. The chapter concludes on a pessimistic note that there are few signs of a willingness or capacity to engage in the deepening of democracy as a prerequisite for citizen engagement.
Victoria A. "Farrar-Myers and Justin S. Vaughn (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- September 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781479886357
- eISBN:
- 9781479865505
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- NYU Press
- DOI:
- 10.18574/nyu/9781479886357.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
From the presidential race to the battle for the office of New York City mayor, American political candidates' approach to new media strategy is increasingly what makes or breaks their campaign. ...
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From the presidential race to the battle for the office of New York City mayor, American political candidates' approach to new media strategy is increasingly what makes or breaks their campaign. Targeted outreach on Facebook and Twitter, placement of a well-timed viral ad, and the ability to roll with the memes, flame wars, and downvotes that might spring from ordinary citizens' engagement with the issues—these skills are heralded as crucial for anyone hoping to get their views heard in a chaotic election cycle. But just how effective are the kinds of media strategies that American politicians employ? And what effect, if any, do citizen-created political media have on the tide of public opinion? This book curates a series of case studies that use real-time original research from the 2012 election season to explore how politicians and ordinary citizens use and consume new media during political campaigns. Broken down into sections that examine new media strategy from the highest echelons of campaign management all the way down to passive citizen engagement with campaign issues in places like online comment forums, the book ultimately reveals that political messaging in today's diverse new media landscape is a fragile, unpredictable, and sometimes futile process. The result is a collection that both interprets important historical data from a watershed campaign season and also explains myriad approaches to political campaign media scholarship.Less
From the presidential race to the battle for the office of New York City mayor, American political candidates' approach to new media strategy is increasingly what makes or breaks their campaign. Targeted outreach on Facebook and Twitter, placement of a well-timed viral ad, and the ability to roll with the memes, flame wars, and downvotes that might spring from ordinary citizens' engagement with the issues—these skills are heralded as crucial for anyone hoping to get their views heard in a chaotic election cycle. But just how effective are the kinds of media strategies that American politicians employ? And what effect, if any, do citizen-created political media have on the tide of public opinion? This book curates a series of case studies that use real-time original research from the 2012 election season to explore how politicians and ordinary citizens use and consume new media during political campaigns. Broken down into sections that examine new media strategy from the highest echelons of campaign management all the way down to passive citizen engagement with campaign issues in places like online comment forums, the book ultimately reveals that political messaging in today's diverse new media landscape is a fragile, unpredictable, and sometimes futile process. The result is a collection that both interprets important historical data from a watershed campaign season and also explains myriad approaches to political campaign media scholarship.
Shaun Bowler and Todd Donovan
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199695409
- eISBN:
- 9780191751486
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199695409.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
Institutions to electoral reform advocates and political scientists#x2014;both argue that variation in electoral institutions affectshow elected officials and citizens behave. Change the rules, and ...
More
Institutions to electoral reform advocates and political scientists#x2014;both argue that variation in electoral institutions affectshow elected officials and citizens behave. Change the rules, and citizen engagement with politics can be renewed. Yeta look at the record of electoral reformreveals a string of disappointments. This book examines a variety of reforms, including campaign finance,direct democracy, legislativeterm limits, and changes to the electoral system itself. This study findselectoral reforms have limited, and in many cases no,effects. Despite reform claims, and contrary to the 2018;institutions matter literature, findings heresuggestthere are hard limits to effects of electoral reform. The explanations for this are threefold. The first is political. Reformers exaggerate claimsabout transformative effects of new electoral rules, yet their goal may simply be to maximize their partisan advantage.The second is empirical. Cross-sectional comparative research demonstratesthat variation in electoral institutions corresponds with different patterns of political attitudes and behaviour. But this method cannot assess what happens when rules are changed. Using examples from the US, UK, New Zealand, Australia, and elsewhere, this book examinesattitudes and behaviouracross time where rules were changed. Results do not match expectations from the institutional literature. The third is a point of logic. There is an inflated sense of the effects of institutions generally, and of electoral institutions in particular. Given larger social and economic forces at play, it is unrealistic to expect that changes in electoral arrangements will have substantial effects on political engagement or onhow people viewpolitics and politicians.Less
Institutions to electoral reform advocates and political scientists#x2014;both argue that variation in electoral institutions affectshow elected officials and citizens behave. Change the rules, and citizen engagement with politics can be renewed. Yeta look at the record of electoral reformreveals a string of disappointments. This book examines a variety of reforms, including campaign finance,direct democracy, legislativeterm limits, and changes to the electoral system itself. This study findselectoral reforms have limited, and in many cases no,effects. Despite reform claims, and contrary to the 2018;institutions matter literature, findings heresuggestthere are hard limits to effects of electoral reform. The explanations for this are threefold. The first is political. Reformers exaggerate claimsabout transformative effects of new electoral rules, yet their goal may simply be to maximize their partisan advantage.The second is empirical. Cross-sectional comparative research demonstratesthat variation in electoral institutions corresponds with different patterns of political attitudes and behaviour. But this method cannot assess what happens when rules are changed. Using examples from the US, UK, New Zealand, Australia, and elsewhere, this book examinesattitudes and behaviouracross time where rules were changed. Results do not match expectations from the institutional literature. The third is a point of logic. There is an inflated sense of the effects of institutions generally, and of electoral institutions in particular. Given larger social and economic forces at play, it is unrealistic to expect that changes in electoral arrangements will have substantial effects on political engagement or onhow people viewpolitics and politicians.
Dr. R Balasubramaniam and M N Venkatachaliah
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781501713514
- eISBN:
- 9781501712470
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501713514.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, Democratization
This chapter explores experiences and reflections of having engaged with citizens towards ensuring greater and responsible participation in the electoral processes before and during elections at ...
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This chapter explores experiences and reflections of having engaged with citizens towards ensuring greater and responsible participation in the electoral processes before and during elections at different levels. In 2013 and 2014, these efforts took shape of a formal campaign in and around Mysuru in India, but received recognition and appreciation in forums across the country. Making participatory democracy work is in the hands of citizens, and exercising their electoral franchise is the first step towards this. A ‘vote’ in the world's largest democracy is however a complex phenomenon given how it is sought, and how people respond to it. Collectively, people ought to put an end to unhealthy trends in the Indian electorate by voting responsibly, by being politically more conscious, by demanding accountability, by participating, or by resisting.Less
This chapter explores experiences and reflections of having engaged with citizens towards ensuring greater and responsible participation in the electoral processes before and during elections at different levels. In 2013 and 2014, these efforts took shape of a formal campaign in and around Mysuru in India, but received recognition and appreciation in forums across the country. Making participatory democracy work is in the hands of citizens, and exercising their electoral franchise is the first step towards this. A ‘vote’ in the world's largest democracy is however a complex phenomenon given how it is sought, and how people respond to it. Collectively, people ought to put an end to unhealthy trends in the Indian electorate by voting responsibly, by being politically more conscious, by demanding accountability, by participating, or by resisting.
Souza Briggs
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262026413
- eISBN:
- 9780262269292
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262026413.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Democratization
This chapter offers information on nongovernmental organizing and the consensus-building efforts of an initiative called “Envision Utah” to bring the ideal and strategy of quality growth to media and ...
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This chapter offers information on nongovernmental organizing and the consensus-building efforts of an initiative called “Envision Utah” to bring the ideal and strategy of quality growth to media and public awareness. This large-scale public participation model helped to mobilize resources to promote the strategy of quality urban growth in a political context that was considered by experts in the field to be unfriendly to public planning. The leadership, operational strategy, and an extraordinary commitment to achieving the purpose helped Envision Utah to make the movement for quality growth in Utah a success. This case also highlights how small-scale citizen engagement and large-scale public education campaigns helped manage rapid urban growth in Utah.Less
This chapter offers information on nongovernmental organizing and the consensus-building efforts of an initiative called “Envision Utah” to bring the ideal and strategy of quality growth to media and public awareness. This large-scale public participation model helped to mobilize resources to promote the strategy of quality urban growth in a political context that was considered by experts in the field to be unfriendly to public planning. The leadership, operational strategy, and an extraordinary commitment to achieving the purpose helped Envision Utah to make the movement for quality growth in Utah a success. This case also highlights how small-scale citizen engagement and large-scale public education campaigns helped manage rapid urban growth in Utah.
Nannerl O. Keohane
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199683840
- eISBN:
- 9780191763397
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199683840.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics
Chapter 5 reflects on citizen engagement in civic associations as an important means for providing an education in specifically democratic forms of leadership and citizenship. Addressing the ...
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Chapter 5 reflects on citizen engagement in civic associations as an important means for providing an education in specifically democratic forms of leadership and citizenship. Addressing the inevitable tensions afflicting leadership in a political system in which “the people” are supposed to rule, either in person or through representatives, the author draws on Aristotle’s conception of political rule as equal citizens learning to rule and be ruled in turn, and Tocqueville’s impressions of American civil associations as intermediaries between state and citizen. Through participation in the best of these associations citizens gain practical skills while developing self-confidence and a sense of mutual respect; they learn what it means to govern through contest, compromise, in the process honing their faculties of political judgment. The author argues that leadership in civic society thus becomes (or can become) a school for democratic leadership.Less
Chapter 5 reflects on citizen engagement in civic associations as an important means for providing an education in specifically democratic forms of leadership and citizenship. Addressing the inevitable tensions afflicting leadership in a political system in which “the people” are supposed to rule, either in person or through representatives, the author draws on Aristotle’s conception of political rule as equal citizens learning to rule and be ruled in turn, and Tocqueville’s impressions of American civil associations as intermediaries between state and citizen. Through participation in the best of these associations citizens gain practical skills while developing self-confidence and a sense of mutual respect; they learn what it means to govern through contest, compromise, in the process honing their faculties of political judgment. The author argues that leadership in civic society thus becomes (or can become) a school for democratic leadership.
Eva Elliott, Gareth Williams, Chloe Chadderton, and Liz Green
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199656011
- eISBN:
- 9780191748028
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199656011.003.0012
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter describes the Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) and the evolution of HIA in the context of Wales as a devolved nation with its particular approach to public health. ...
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This chapter describes the Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) and the evolution of HIA in the context of Wales as a devolved nation with its particular approach to public health. The character of WHIASU can only properly be understood in terms of its history and the wider social, policy, and political context of which it is a part. WHIASU's emphasis on involving people potentially affected by a proposal in HIA mirrors the emphasis in Welsh policy documents on citizen engagement as a mechanism for policy and service development. This was intended to contrast markedly with individual choice as the driver for change in England as well as resonating with a sociological theory of knowledge that supports the value of deliberative processes that involve lay people in dialogue with professionals.Less
This chapter describes the Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) and the evolution of HIA in the context of Wales as a devolved nation with its particular approach to public health. The character of WHIASU can only properly be understood in terms of its history and the wider social, policy, and political context of which it is a part. WHIASU's emphasis on involving people potentially affected by a proposal in HIA mirrors the emphasis in Welsh policy documents on citizen engagement as a mechanism for policy and service development. This was intended to contrast markedly with individual choice as the driver for change in England as well as resonating with a sociological theory of knowledge that supports the value of deliberative processes that involve lay people in dialogue with professionals.
Dr. R Balasubramaniam and M N Venkatachaliah
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781501713514
- eISBN:
- 9781501712470
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501713514.003.0008
- Subject:
- Political Science, Democratization
This chapter reflects on the development journey of the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), which is dotted with actions and interventions that have gone beyond addressing local issues to ...
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This chapter reflects on the development journey of the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), which is dotted with actions and interventions that have gone beyond addressing local issues to setting precedence, engaging communities in ways hitherto unexplored, and helping evolve new perspectives of how the voice of the communities can find more scope and space in the development paradigm. At a personal level as well, there have been defining moments in the author's journey of development activism, institution building, leadership training, writing, and policy advocacy that have helped grow and evolve a worldview. Every one of those moments, the people behind them, and the accompanying reflections and realizations have taught the author more about the world and engagement with it in an ever-maturing manner. The chapter then delves into some handpicked milestones and explores how citizen engagement has rendered them meaningful and impactful while being an unending movement itself.Less
This chapter reflects on the development journey of the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), which is dotted with actions and interventions that have gone beyond addressing local issues to setting precedence, engaging communities in ways hitherto unexplored, and helping evolve new perspectives of how the voice of the communities can find more scope and space in the development paradigm. At a personal level as well, there have been defining moments in the author's journey of development activism, institution building, leadership training, writing, and policy advocacy that have helped grow and evolve a worldview. Every one of those moments, the people behind them, and the accompanying reflections and realizations have taught the author more about the world and engagement with it in an ever-maturing manner. The chapter then delves into some handpicked milestones and explores how citizen engagement has rendered them meaningful and impactful while being an unending movement itself.
