Name:
Instructor:
Course:
Date:
Book review: Just How Stupid Are We?
Democracy is a form of government where all citizens of a nation determine public policies, laws and actions of the state in unity. All citizens are expected to be involved in all issues pertaining to the wellbeing of the country. This essay is a preview of the book just How Stupid Are we?: Facing The Truth About The American Voter .The book focuses on how the American people have disengaged themselves from politics and public issues that should otherwise be of importance to them. Shenkman seeks to show how much the American people are concentrating or taking part in politics and how much they ought to. Shenkman clearly
…show more content…
They are simply fed up with the politicians and the current party political system. They argue out that they choose most leaders while having a lot of faith in them only for them to disappoint them once in office. They therefore prefer to stay out of it rather than be disappointed later. The constant rise in the members of parliament expenses and salaries does not help issues either. The American public is left grumbling and dissatisfied with them and with the perception that they have corrupt and greedy leaders who are not worthy of their support. The result of all this is that people shy away from voting and taking part in any political activities as they should be participating. I strongly believe that the millennium generation will make appositive and progressive change in the democratic society. It is noted in David Madland’s article, the new progressive America: The Millennial Generation, that millennia’s are notably progressive on foreign policy issues and that they are most likely to believe that a positive image about America to the outside world is important. They are therefore more likely to work towards improving America’s image by taking part in determining the policies that affect the country and also taking part in the national politics. They , more than any …show more content…
The future of America can never be worse if the American public does not cease to be ignorant. Their lack of commitment and ignorance has led to the government implementing bad foreign policies. These policies may have adverse effects on the economy in the future since it may negatively affect how the country does international business in the future. Local policies that do not in any way favor the public have also been implemented under the public’s very eye. These policies affect how the public gets access to essential amenities. The future will therefore be characterized by a grumbling nation that is always dissatisfied. The publics tendency to stay away from public and political issues has also led to the electing of leaders who are self-centered and do not have the country’s best interests in their hearts. They therefore do not work towards the public interests but towards their own
On the national civics assessment, “two-thirds of 12th graders scored below ‘proficient’…and only 9 percent could list two ways a democracy benefits from citizen participation” (O’Connor and Romer 4). The information provided clarifies just how little students know about democracy. Without education on the subject, they are unaware as to how their government contribution is beneficial and why it is needed in the first place. The students, because of their lack of understanding, therefore choose to not take part in their government and fail to carry out their duties as a citizen. The authors provide more research that shows “the better people understand our history and system of government, the more likely they are to vote and participate in the civic life” (O’Connor and Romer 8).
Janda, K., Berry, J., Golman, J., & Hula, K. (2009). The Challenge of Democracy: American
“In a meaningful democracy, the people’s voice must be clear and loud – clear so that policy makers understand citizen concerns and loud so that they have an incentive to pay attention. (Verba)” There is no doubt there exists a severe inequality in the participation of the American political process. Kay Lehman Schlozman, Sidney Verba and Henry Brady, a trio of university professors, set out to explain that it is not about how many people participate in our democratic process, it is about who is taking part. In the article: “The Big Tilt: Participatory Inequality in America,” published in the liberal non-profit magazine The American Prospect, the authors conclude that political participation is not equal amongst the social and economical classes in America. Verba, Schlozman and Brady begin building credibility by referencing their own book while also citing
"Miller light and bud light…either way you end up with a mighty weak beer!" This is how Jim Hightower (a Texan populist speaker) described the choices that the U.S. electorate had in the 2000 elections. This insinuates that there is a clear lack of distinction between the parties. Along with numerous others, this is one of the reasons why the turnout is so low in the U.S. elections. In trying to explain the low figures at the U.S. elections, analysts have called American voters apathetic to indifferent to downright lazy. I disagree that the 50% (in recent elections) of voters that fail to turnout to vote are lazy and that they have just reason not too. I will also show that the problem lies within the system itself in that the institutional arrangements, electoral and governmental, do not create an environment that is conducive to mass participation. I will address these main issues and several others that have an effect on voter participation. In doing so I will compare America to other established democracies.
As modern America has progressed, it has had many advancements. Those advancements in turn have only compounded the problems they were meant to solve by adding copious amounts of obstacles. Progressive movements in people’s rights have been met with opposition, the country has become scared due to terrorist threats and local attacks such as: bombings and shootings, and now America is worried about the future. America’s zeitgeist is easily offended, frightened, and concerned.
Among the many ways Americans can participate in politics, voting is considered one of the most common and important ways for Americans to get involved. The outcome of any election, especially at the national level, determines who will be making and enforcing the laws that all Americans must abide by. With this in mind one might assume that all Americans are active voters, but studies show the voter turnout is actually astonishingly low. With this unsettling trend it is important to know what statistics say about voter turnout as was as the four major factors that influence participation: Socioeconomic status, education, political environment, and state electoral laws, in order to help boost turnout in future elections.
...nment of the United States of America today. Lobbyists hand checks around to political leaders to have what they want happen. And as much as American citizens would not like to notice it, their freedom and power in the country is decreasing every day. Rome’s tragic and titanic fall should be a warning to the educated citizens of America to try to change what the government is doing and what this country is headed towards, but it is a warning that is not widely heeded. In the words of Joseph Anthony Wittreich, “History may not repeat itself but it does rhyme...” If America continues in its hushed ways, it could be headed towards a fate similar to Rome’s and its short lived flame could be put out as quickly as it was lit.
Democracy is rule by the people; the people elect governing officials based off of their personal values and beliefs. Different political parties rule the political scene and are serving to represent the people’s opinions in the best ways possible. Previously, I had a belief that my political view was essentially the only one possible and therefore it was the best. These views changed quickly once I learned the different political parties, their views, how they represent the people’s views, and how public opinion shapes politics. The government is formed around differentiating opinions on which policies should be in place and which social aspects need to be considered first. Not only is the government guided by opinion, but the people’s lives are guided by opinion as well. Each individual holds a different view, and each view can have an influence on society. Fortunately, after roughly eight weeks of studying American Government, I now have a better sense of complexity and the value of
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.
The United States is run by a democracy. There are many pieces to democracy that must be in good health in order for democracy to be effective and work. In this essay I will critique some of the most important parts of democracy in America and go deeper. I will first focus on the strengths of United States democracy and then I will dive into categories of democracy that I believe to not be thriving. I believe that the current conditions of United States democracy are becoming a hindrance to this nation, because the opinions and freedoms the public possess are being stripped away through poor media, education, and economy.
Shenkman, R. (2008). Just How Stupid Are We?: Facing the Truth About the American Voter. New York: Basic Books.
Hudson, William E. American Democracy in Peril: Eight Challenges to America’s Future – Fourth Edition. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2004.
I am responding to Micheal Schudson’s essay titled “America’s Ignorant Voter”. He makes several arguments against whether America having relatively ignorant voters poses a problem to our society, and whether it’s becoming worse over the years. One of the arguments he poses as to why Americans seem so clueless about political matters is due to the complexities of our nation’s political institutions.
Present day America is going downhill, due to changes in government and lifestyle. America is no longer the place it once was. Globally, the American people are known for being lazy and obese, whereas we once were known for our determination, work ethic, and great power. American citizens are now scared of the government, and their frequent actions that are beginning to take place, such as taking citizens rights away or searching their mail. If America continues to follow down this path, we will fall like the Roman Empire. Margaret Atwood in “Letter to America” uses allusions, audience, pathos, and the context of the article in attempt to motivate America to make a change, because she does not like the way that America is currently changing.
It is a very daunting question that looms over many Americans. “What does our future hold?” is the frequently asked question. When people are faced with this question, there is a lot of uncertainty. Many people do not know how to answer. Despite what many might think, America 's future is well known across hundreds of nations all over the world. America 's future has actually been a question people have asked since the beginning of this great nation and has a very important meaning in the lives of many. There are many factors that will affect the United States future. These factors include culture and education, economy, resource management, politics, and protection of freedoms. In this paper, I will give each factor a grade in terms on future