CSS - Political Participation Lesson

Political Participation Lesson 

Cartoon drawing of a hand dropping a ballot in a ballot box Political participation is any activity that shapes, affects, or involves the political sphere. Political participation ranges from voting to attending a rally to committing an act of terrorism to sending a letter to a representative. Broadly speaking, there are three types of participation:

  • Conventional participation: Activities that we expect of good citizens. For most people, participation occurs every few years at election time. People strongly committed to politics are more likely to participate on a regular basis.
    • Example: Conventional political participation includes voting, volunteering for a political campaign, making a campaign donation, belonging to activist groups, and serving in public office.
  • Unconventional participation: Activities that are legal but often considered inappropriate. Young people, students, and those with grave concerns about a regime’s policies are most likely to engage in unconventional participation.
    • Example: Unconventional political participation includes signing petitions, supporting boycotts, and staging demonstrations and protests.
  • Illegal participation: Activities that break the law. Most of the time, people resort to illegal participation only when legal means have failed to create significant political change.
    • Example: Illegal political participation includes political assassination, terrorism, and sabotaging an opponent’s campaign through theft or vandalism.

Make sure to read topics related to Political Participation in your e-textbook.

 

Political Participation Presentation

It is now time to watch the Political Participation presentation. Take notes as you watch the video and reach out to your instructor with any questions. 

 

Challenge Activities

Please complete the following Political Participation Vocabulary Review Activity. 

 

Please complete the following Political Violence and Regimes Review Activity. 

 

 

Takeaway & Sendoff

Visit the "Political Participation" Website in the “Dig Deeper” section at the end of this page. Think about these questions as you watch the videos:

  • Do you think public service announcements like these, featuring prominent sports figures, are effective? Why or why not? Did their message about the need to register and vote motivate you?
  • In the first video, the hip-hop artist Murs described his feelings toward government and authority before he became politically active, and he advocates voting as a way to preserve freedom of expression. The cast of One Tree Hill, in the second video, invokes specific policy and social issues as reasons to vote. In the third video, Christina Aguilera appeals to the future—what kind of country we might want for our children.
    • From your perspective, which of these arguments is most effective? Why?
    • Do you think celebrity involvement influences whether or not people vote?
  • In what ways does Matt Bai think new technologies will increase political participation?
  • Do you agree with Bai that technology will increase political participation? Why or why not?

 

Dig Deeper

Access additional resources HERE Links to an external site.  to help you discover more information and dig deeper into this lesson's content. 

 

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