...In the United States, voter apathy has been a consistent theme. Many eligible Americans fail to participate in elections. Between 1960 and 2008, the average voter turnout was approximately 49% to 63%. This means that close to half of the Americans do not really care which candidate will become their resident. In the United States, the lowest voter turnout was recorded in the year 1996 when only 49.1% of eligible Americans turned to vote. The low turnout in the country is an international disgrace. It is worrying that democracy in America has lost meaning. According to Fulton (16), one may not understand what happened to the government that Abraham Lincoln used to call “government of the people, for the people and by the people.” People should not be satisfied when...
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...the spirit/attitude of a group; the spirit/attitude of an individual in the group; the spirit/attutide of an individual toward an activity | Morale rose / soared.Morale fell / declined / collapsed / plunged. | Ch. 4 agenda (n.) | a list of things to do1. the agenda for a meeting2. a political agenda3. a daily planner | itemon | Do you have any items that you’d like to put on the agenda for Friday’s meeting?When Obama was first elected, the first item on his agenda was to improve the economy. | antidote (n.) | 1. a cure (especially for a poison)2. a solution to a problem | to / for | Huy got bitten by a poisonous snake. He went to the hospital, and they gave him the antidote. | apathy (n.)apathetic (adj.) | lack of interest, lack of concern | | Older people complain about the apathy of twenty somethings toward the big problems.Are you concerned or apathetic about global warming? | bland | 1. (food) lacking flavor2. boring, dull, not interesting | | bland fooda bland personality | propaganda | publicity, especially harmful, misleading publicity | | Nazi propagandathe propaganda of cigarette companies | prospects | chances of success in the future | job, career, romantic | Do you have any job prospects? / romantic prospects? | radical | associated with extreme change | changepolitical groupetc. | | to reinforce | to strengthen, make strong, fortify | | The lab is supposed to reinforce what you learn in the classroom. | relevant | related | to | I don’t...
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...Class Activity 3 1. Compare and contrast apathy to reluctant acceptance. How are these attitudes the same? How are they different? People who lack of interest in or concern for technology are apathetic. They do not care for the details nor recognize its significance to society. “Reluctant Acceptance or approval”, also known as “interested ambivalence” refers to people who are able to temporarily avoid thinking about the details or decisions about technology. They may have a slight understanding of it, but decide to see the effects made by technology before believing it. They often go along with it because they do not want to appear as an outcast. These attitudes are the same in which they both have no interest in the details of technology or its impact in the modern world. However, apathy ignores the concept of technology completely and pretends to erase all memory about the awareness and implications of technology. On the other hand, a person who illustrates reluctant acceptance will acknowledge technology, but is unwilling to believe it and hesitate before believing it, or do it slowly without enthusiasm. 2. Provide your own examples of apathy and reluctant acceptance. How do your examples illustrate these two attitudes toward technology? A group of people who would be considered as apathetic towards technology will be the citizens in North Korea. The government enforces laws and rules to prevent citizens from buying technological products from other countries in...
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...Apathy has become a norm in our society. People are "comfortably numb" because everyone around them is. Most people hate to be too different from the people around them because then, they stick out, and it opens them up for criticism or judgement from their peers. We voice our opinions or concerns for issues, but that's all we do. We 'raise awareness', not that there's anything wrong with that, but 'awareness' is not going to put food in the bellies of starving children if no acts on it after they become aware. I feel that people can be divided into groups based interior reasons for apathy. Some people are too lazy to do what needs to be done because "Becoming an activist takes practice..."(Callwood 444) and "For this ...We are out of tune" (Wordworth,The World is Too Much With Us). We are out of tune with the feelings of our fellow human beings. These people often believe that issues happening outside their immediate lives are none if our concern. We should let them sort their own issues out. How on earth is it not our concern when women in Afghanistan are being treated like property and have to hide their skin at all costs? (Veiled Threat: The Women of Afghanistan 429). Those women are people in need of help, and it shouldn't matter that they aren't from Canada. People are people, no matter where their drivers license says they are from. We need to put ourselves in the position of others in need and see the world from their point of view. But instead we see it from the five...
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...go about the business of soldiering, the rest of the world goes on and barely notices us. Monday will be no different. As we stand in salute, grills will be fired up. Pools will be splashed into. Beaches will be visited, and beers will be popped open. The people of this country will enjoy their day off, but how many will realize what it is for? How many people will consider what it means? While many will know there is a parade, how many will know why there is a parade? Please understand, I have nothing against bar-be-ques. I have nothing against beaches, pools, or beer. These are all great things. But I think most Americans take them for granted. I don’t know if it was always this way, or if this is the result of the general apathy associated with my generation. I suspect there has always been a difference between us and civilians. I also suspect there was a time when civilians appreciated us more. This country, our way of life, is not a birthright. What we have, we achieved at a great price. And do you want to know something; we don’t even own it. We...
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...The way in which the quotation is framed invites students to consider political apathy alongside other reasons that might account for low levels of electoral turnout. It is likely that responses at all levels will demonstrate knowledge of the relatively low levels of turnout witnessed at recent general elections. Most will also demonstrate some awareness of what is meant by the term political apathy. At the lower levels of response, it is likely that many students will simply accept the statement offered in the question and offer generalised statements in support which are not backed up by evidence drawn from ‘own knowledge’. For example, it might be argued that voters ‘cannot be bothered’ or that they are made apathetic by the fact that ‘both parties are the same’ and there is, as a result, ‘no point in voting’. It is likely that most responses in Levels 3 and 4 on AO1 and AO2 will address a range of factors that have (or could be said to have) contributed to low turnout. Some students may offer these factors as alternatives to apathy. Others may view many of the factors they identify as causes of such political apathy – and may therefore end up broadly agreeing with the statement offered. Students are likely to make mention of factors such as the apparent convergence in party ideology/policy (the ‘end of ideology’ thesis), the inequities of the FPTP electoral system (safe seats, ‘electoral deserts’), the decline of long-term party identification/attachment (ie partisan...
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...the lack of voter participation is particularly alarming B. Credibility Claim – I’ve done extensive research on the issue of voter apathy and I’ve found a solution C. Preview – Voter turnout is suffering, especially in Texas, because of the way the current voter registration process works, but by enabling Election Day Registration (EDR), voter turnout can be increased. II. Body A. Problem 1. For Example – In the recent gubernatorial race, we had the lowest voter turnout in the country; The Intercept, a reputable non-partisan journalism site, reports 33% turnout, down from 38% 4 years ago 2. Politifact, an organization dedicated to fact-checking the statements made by politicians, points out that the U.S. Census Bureau ranked Texas 48th in turnout in 2012, 47th in 2008 and 49th in 2006. 3. The cause? – Rock the Vote, a nationwide effort to promote voter participation, shows that the Texas registration deadline is a mere 30 days before the election. Many citizens become most interested and engaged with elections in the last few weeks before Election Day, when candidate debates and campaigns reach their peak. But registration deadlines may already have passed at that point. 4. Inaccurate voter rolls; Many previously-registered voters lose their eligibility merely because they have moved. Others are never added to the voter rolls because of bureaucratic errors, which Election Protection, a group dedicated to advancing and protecting voter rights, points...
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...we hear about the disappointing turnout on TV or in the paper. In a New York Times article, ‘What We’ve Seen in Australia with Mandatory Voting,’ it’s made very apparent in the article that America does indeed have a serious voter turnout problem. Is this really as big an issue as some would have you believe? Or is it better that we allow a continued disproportionate level of democratic power remain where it is? Although the implementation of compulsory voting, or mandatory voting, would mean that voter turnout would naturally increase, compulsory voting would neither benefit in our society or my district. This is largely due to the fact that even though my district would have more regulation in place to ensure a ballet is turned in, The majority of my district is uneducated and these would be the people showing up to vote. In Lisa Hill’s article, she compares Australia and the US several times but in truth, there is no comparison to be had. The United States is a world power and has almost 14 times as many people in our country than Australia. So while Ms Hill might be pleased with the way this program works in Australia, could you imagine the turnout here in the United States? More importantly, would the polls be able to handle the influx of voters turning out to take part in their constitutional right to have part in democracy It is a privilege to take part in democracy and have your voice heard through the casting of a vote. Americans do not have a right to possess...
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...dissatisfaction with the government stems from the fact that there are officials in congress who are appointed versus being elected, public opinion is not being surveyed enough, and also, voter turnout also has depreciated significantly due to these things. According to You Can’t Vote Everyone in Congress Out. So, What Can You Do, 60 percent of those polled would “replace almost every member in the house, including from their own state,” in the next election if they could. This is due to the fact that many of the officials in the government are appointed, and those that aren’t appointed, vote and select other officials or judges into high positions that have to do with citizen’s daily lives. This does not demonstrate accurate representation of the people because although the people appointed into congress are usually appointed by an official the people voted for, it is not a direct relationship which lessens the amount of approval for those members. Voter turnout is constantly fluctuating in America from year to year. According to Zen College Life, there are many factors which play a small role in why individuals do not vote such as laziness, being too busy, and not liking the candidates, but there are also many more important reasons for not being able to vote such as disability, absentee, and voter apathy. Many...
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...Participation and Voting Behaviour ‘Low levels of turnout at recent general elections to the Westminster Parliament result from political apathy alone’ Discuss. Political apathy is a state of passivity or indifference towards political institutions and their associated processes. This is linked to a decline in political participation at general elections. Turnout of around 60% in the 2001 and 2005 general elections were significantly lower than the post war average of 78%. It increased in 2010 but only to 65%. Political apathy is a factor contributing to low turnout at elections; however there are other contributing factors to a lack of turnout at general elections. Political apathy is defined as the lack of interest in taking active in politics either by voting or been voted for or having no share in political activities. Reasons for political apathy are: bad governance, unfulfilled, promises, rigging, thuggery. An example of this is the 2010 expenses scandal therefore giving a majority of the population trust issues towards politician’s furthermore effecting turnout at elections. In contrast to apathy there is hapathy. Hapathy is the ideas that voters may abstain from voting as a result of happiness with the way in which they are being governed and therefore don’t feel the need to cast a ballot. Research conducted on behalf of the Electoral Commission in 2005 showed that 29% of those who described themselves ‘satisfied with democracy’ did not cast a vote at the 2005 election...
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...“Well, I don’t know,” he absently pondered from his chair, “I’m not really the voting type, I mean, I don’t trust politicians and all that stuff.” This verbatim exchange occurred between a peer and I during a voter-registration drive that took place at my high school in preparation for the primary elections in Ohio, only a week or two after the drive. “What do you mean?” I shot back, “Don’t you want your voice to be heard?” Unfortunately, I was met with a polite goodbye and one less registered voter. It is a defeating reality that in this country my contemporaries occupy the least engaged portion of the voting population. It is societal trends such as this that must undergo the most scrutiny in order to change the narratives they create. The...
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...The 2015 elections saw very low voter turnouts, a trend that is as American as a Baconator from Wendy’s. Voter apathy though, is a huge threat to democracy. Historically, college-aged eligible voters have a low turnout. There are many reasons for this. One reason is that people forget about filling out absentee ballots. Another reason is that people of this age group are so overwhelmed with classes and internships, that civic duties take a backseat. The most popular reason by far, is the myth that our votes do not matter. I can understand why people think that, with all of the political buffoonery thrown our way. However, we cannot be jaded. We must cherish our voting privileges. Voting is a right that in this country alone, women, people...
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...AP Government McKinley CHAPTER 8 Political Participation I. A closer look at nonvoting A. Alleged problem: low turnout of voters in the U.S. compared to Europe 1. Data are misleading: tend to compare turnout of voting-age population; turnout of registered voters reveals problem is not so severe 2. Real problem is low voter registration rates a) Proposed solution: get-out-the-vote drives b) But this will not help those who are not registered 3. Apathy is not the only cause of non-registration a) Registration has costs in the U.S.; there are no costs in European countries where registration is automatic b) Motor-voter law of 1993 took effect in 1995, lowered costs and increased registration throughout the country B. Voting is not the only way of participating—by other measures, Americans may participate in politics more than Europeans. C. Important question: how do different kinds of participation affect the government? II. The rise of the American electorate (THEME A: POPULAR PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS) A. From state to federal control 1. Initially, states decided who could vote and for which offices 2. This led to wide variation in federal elections 3. Congress has since reduced state prerogatives through law and constitutional amendment. a) 1842 law: House members elected by district b) 15th Amendment (1870): seemed to give...
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...Political participation are actions of private citizens seeking to influence to support government and politics. Participation involves voting, involvement in campaigning (canvassing), party membership and pressure group membership. Participation is sad to be in decline due to the low turnout since the 1950’s. There are trends of low turnout in the General elections for UK. In 1951 the turnout for the UK general elections was 82%, however this fell to 66% in the 2015 general elections. Voter apathy is one reason for his; members of the electorate feel as though their opinions aren’t represented in Parliament, especially voters in support of smaller parties which are spread thinly across constituencies. Furthermore, parties now have become idealised so people are apathetic towards voting as they feel it wouldn’t really make a difference what party came into power. Party memberships also decreased since the 1950’s. For example n 1951, there were 2900 conservative supporters; however this decreased to 170 members in 2011, highlighting that there is a participation crisis in the UK. Additionally, the modern era and new generation new have now is distinctly different to previous years. In earlier years, politics was a min topic of discussion within households, leading children to become more informed about certain parties and be incline to vote for one- usually the same party as there parents support. However nowadays it isn’t as common for families to even spend dinner or...
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...fallen in the general election since 1997 may be the social and economic mix of the electorate, voter turnout tends to be lower in areas of higher unemployment, below average incomes and social inactivity. These people tend to be voters of the Labour party. The Labour party in 2001 struggled to get their core votes in these comstituency’s, this proving that thousands of people feel totally disengaged from politics and at a local and national level. Another reason why turnout may be low that of disengagement of younger voters and ethnic minorities, the decline of voter participation is highest for young voters also ethnic minorities may feel as if they are not being identified with from the leading UK political parties. The election campaign is a way of determining voting behaviour yes. With the election campaign it is easy to calculate statistics to find out voting behaviour, although you cannot determine why every person is or is not voting it gives us the closest figures we can get for voting behaviour i.e. seeing what figures are from which constituency’s, in the extract we see that in Liverpool Riverside there was a voter turnout of 41.4% and in West Tyrone there was a turnout of 80.2% proving to us that there is different voting behaviour in different regions of the country. This cannot show the feelings of why people may or may not vote though, some people may feel apathy, hapathy or just be completely unaware of politics all together, the election campaign however...
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