Hostile Political Environment

For a nation founded on the consent of the governed, our current hostile political environment is of great concern. The United States presents globally low voter turnout, as more people criticize a government they believed to be deeply flawed. Plummeting governmental trust and sharply polarizing ideologies are a cause of this, as are skewed political socialization and reduced efficacy and feelings of civic duty. As my peers and I come of age in this harsh political environment it is of massive importance for us to analyze these factors when forming our own beliefs, as we prepare to steer the political conversation into a new era; ready to face global and domestic problems alike.
Political socialization, the process in which individuals acquire political attitudes, is much the same for members of a society. Personally, I gained most of my political attitude from my friends and the media.

Our technology-driven society serves as a breeding ground for complaints and conspiracies alike, creating a hostile landscape for the average political participant. Personally, I trust my government and believe that I have an ability to influence change, to a limited extent. For example, I can choose from a selection of candidates to fill the presidential office, creating the illusion of a fair democracy. However, those running in the two major parties get the added benefit of multi-million dollar endorsements and increased media coverage, effectively suffocating third party and independent candidates. This frustration is cyclical in nature and spills into other facets of political life as well, creating an environment of hostility. This in turn negatively impacts the overall views of democracy, as no two candidates receive equal coverage and fair opportunities. This sentiment is echoed in the American masses, as the average trust on the government efficiency at addressing domestic matters is at a record breaking low of 38%