Presidential debates play a crucial role in politics, as they better inform citizens about the policies the candidates stand for. I have noticed that a lot of people are always eager to watch them. I have especially noticed this among my friends and students here at Xavier University. I have seen many students congregate to watch and discuss the presidential debates. Also, the debate remains a topic of discussion. Walking around campus, people usually ask about my thoughts on the debate, and every time. I often respond by asserting that I did not have the time to watch it due to overwhelming school assignments. Afterward, they end up giving me a stare letting me know that I ought to feel ashamed. Although I normally watching the debate later …show more content…
He says, “Many political causes still motivate the young people such as helping the less fortunate in America, addressing poverty in Africa (and America), or improving the global (and American) environment” (Dalton, 55). His statement shows that the millennial generation is concerned about different issues than the past generation, and these issues drive them to engage politically. This means that Millennials have diverted from the social norms of the older generation, in terms of political interests. He further says, “Although many young people seem disengaged with voting, and alienated from electoral politics-so are many older Americans. Volunteerism and other forms of direct action seem especially common among young Americans” (Dalton, 68). His statements imply that the older generation who view Millennials are politically disengaged are hypocrites, since when analyzing the aforementioned political activity, it is the older generation who appears to be disengaged. It further shows that the older generation has a one sided view of participation in political activity, in that, they focus on voting and neglect the new forms of political participation that are
...adults compared to older adults were less likely to respond that voting was extremely important for good citizenship (133). He concludes that it is too late for the generation of young adults that do not feel voting is an important civic responsibility, however, that it is not too late to convince them that politics matter by showing them that they are giving their opportunity to make important decisions that may impact their lives to others who have different ideas. One may agree with Wattenberg’s idea that habits follow people throughout their lives instead of changing as they cycle in life. His personal accounts are an impactful way to illustrate the importance of building a sense of duty at a young age and carrying that responsibility throughout one’s life.
Many political analysts argue that engagement is an important characteristic of democracy, yet the younger generation is indifferent towards politics. They’re more interested in the latest iPhone technology than in campaigning or voting. In The Good Citizen: How a Younger Generation Is Reshaping American Politics, author Russell J. Dalton counters this with the idea that Gen X’ers are still engaged, just in a different way.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates are considered among “the most significant statements in American political history” (Johannsen). The debates derived from the senatorial campaign in 1858 between Stephen Douglas, the Democratic senator, and Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate. The two politicians debated publicly throughout seven of Illinois’ nine congressional districts. By Election Day on November 2nd, Illinois citizens were aware of the primary issues of each man’s political stance (Schulmeister).
It is our civic right and duty to actively participate in governmental affairs. This recent election really highlighted the divide in opinion regarding the importance of governmental participation. “To many, our democratic system seems so broken that they have simply lost faith that their participation could really matter,” West writes in his essay entitled The Deep Democratic Tradition in America. Young people feel unimportant and irrelevant, which explains the lack in turnout from young voters ages 18-29. However, it wasn’t just young voters that didn’t turnout. Millions of eligible voters didn’t show up for the 2016 elections. A democracy without active participants is a democracy bound for
The Chartist movement (a working class political movement) in 1840 believed “People had no one else but themselves to blame for the actions of their politicians” (Nash). What Mr. Nash and the chartist movement believe couldn’t be more on the spot. This country has gotten to the point where people find it hard to walk down their street to the elementary school where the voting polls are, and take a few minutes to cast a vote. A vote that millions of people around the world wish they were able to have them selves. With all the political suffrage that goes on through the world and people forced to love a leader, these no-shows should be thankful to live in a democracy. A place where elections aren’t rigged and the people are truly heard. This is why the topic of voting turnout needs to be raised. Also it’s very annoying to hear people complaining about our President when they did not even vote. It’s a very bad habit to not vote, and it needs to change with the younger citizens of this country. Helping younger people see the importance of voting needs to start with technological and educational ideas while expanding all the way to social event ideas. Only then will America’s ability to find answers to voting turnout increase.
Research has brought about an abundance of reasons why youth are becoming less engaged in the political process. Education, absence of political knowledge, the media and family influence, indifference to election campaigns, inadequate amount of change, and lack of motivation are all possible factors in influencing the youth voter turnout.
Based on the performance and content of the presidential debate, Hillary Clinton emerged the winner. A debate is a typical adversarial argument, which is characterized by competition. There is one winner and one loser. The argument revolves around two people who have different or opposite ways of thinking, argue the same topic. The arguer is intent on changing the other’s beliefs. Further, the arguer usually tries to refute the opponent by showing or invalidating the opponent’s viewpoints. In this first presidential debate, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton stated their claims and provided supporting facts to prove each is the better candidate for president. Both Donald and Hillary set out to sway more people to “their side” as choice for president of the United States.
Political inactivity on the part of young Americans stems from one fundamental source -- a general cynicism of the American political process. This disdain for politics is further perpetuated by a lack of voter education and a needlessly archaic voting procedure that creates barriers to voting where they need not exist. While many of these existing problems can be rectified with relative ease through the implementation of programs such as Internet voting and better voter education, such programs create only a partial solution.
Rhetorical Analysis Presidential Debate Clinton and Trump The presidential debate was an event where most of the population not only of United Stated of America but the whole world was waiting anxiously for. The first of the three presidential debates was developed in Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY. The first debate drew a record of the audience being one of the most watched debated in the history of United States of America.
The airing of presidential debates on television is another very crucial part of the election process today. They are a chance for the public to see the candidates speak about vital current issues and their stance on political subjects. They are also a major deciding factor for voters. For example we can contrast the election between Kennedy and Nixon in 1960 and the election between Gore and Bus...
Tisch, Jonathan . "Why Young People Don’t Vote." THE CENTER FOR INFORMATION & RESEARCH ON CIVIC LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT. Tufts University, 13/05/11. Web. 03 Oct 2013. .
on how their votes can count, many Millennials do have a different perspective of how politics
Miller, Zeke J. "The Politics of the Millennial Generation." 9 May 2013. Time.com. 25 November 2013 .
The recent decline in young people’s participation in political and civic activities has resulted in a revival within the field of civic education. Formal education institutions are not the only ones concerned about youth engagement, however. A number of community agencies and nonprofits are active at the local level throughout the country. They are working to engage young people through a variety of methods, few of which have been researched to determine their effectiveness. One such community e...
vigorously involving young people in politics. Based on the data collected he concludes that Parties do not give prominence to their opinions, suggestions as well as their difficulties problems. Which he claims to be the one reason that compels youth not to participate in politics actively.