POLITICAL PARTICIPATION. MEANING, FORMS AND IMPORTANCES
As citizens, one of the aspects of our culture that many are most proud of is the extent to which they can take part in the political system. Whether we are voting for a new leader , serving on a jury, or participating in a public protest, we can be fairly certain that our actions are going to have an influence country’s politics in some way. For us, this is important because it is one of the ways in which citizens can contribute to our communities and be active members of society.
These civic activities are what are known as political participation, and they are a critical part of any democracy.
DEFINITION OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Political participation simply means that a person is participating in the political process by making his or her opinions and beliefs known. In the social sciences, the term 'political participation is often used to describe an action taken by a citizen to influence the outcome of a political issue.
Political participation also refers to the activities of the mass public in politics, including, for example, voting in elections, helping a political campaign, giving money to a candidate or cause, writing or calling officials, petitioning, boycotting, demonstrating, and working with other people on issues.
Types of Political Participation
There are many different forms of political participation, and whether you know it or not, you've probably taken part in some of them at different points in your life.
Some of the most common forms of political participation are:
1) Involvement in campaigns;
2) Voting during elections;
3) Holding political offices;
4) Analysing political issues;
5) Contesting elections;
6) Supporting candidates during elections;
7) Dissemination of party propaganda;
8) Membership of pressure group;
9) Protest, Criticism and petitions;
10)Financial and material assistance to the Political parties.
BENEFITS OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
1) Mass political participation helps to legitimize the government in power, as it gives the government necessary support and mandate to govern the country on behalf of the people;
2) It helps to make the government responsive, responsible and accountable to the citizenry. This is because a politically active citizenry can easily vote out leaders who do not meet their expectations.
3) Participation in politics helps to create political awareness among the electorates. It affords people the opportunities of participating in governmental decision making through their elected representatives.
4) Participation in politics offers some psychological satisfaction to those who are interested in the leadership and administration of government. Such people derive satisfaction when they are involved in the government of the country.
FACTORS INFLUENCING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
The forms and nature of political participation differ from one political system to another. Accordingly, Milbrath argues that political participation differs in relation to four (4) major factors:
1. The extent to which the individual receives political stimuli
2. The individual’s personal characteristics
3. The individual’s social characteristics
4. The political setting or environment in which the individual finds himself/ herself.
It is also argued that the level of education determines one’s level of participation in politics. That is to say, the more educated citizens tend to participate more actively than the less-educated ones. Various forms of injustice, inequality, poverty, illiteracy, ignorance election rigging and long years of military rule are some of the factors that affect political participation and could in fact, create political apathy. By political apathy, we mean lack of interest displayed by a citizen of a country towards political activities.
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