Since the advent of polling, political scientists have found that Americans don’t know much about the details of political issues or even the names of many leading politicians. Education is one distinguishing factor that separates the politically sophisticated from the unsophisticated, but, since education levels have increased over the last half-century, why hasn’t Americans’ knowledge of politics increased? How does democracy survive given such low levels of political knowledge among Americans over time?
Can democracy be sustained when so few people are involved in the political system? Voter turnout in a local election can run less than 10 percent, yet local governments are the ones that affect people more closely on a daily basis. Why do more people not vote in America? Explain.
Sample Solution
The lasting success of democracy in America is dependent on the level of political knowledge and engagement among its citizens. Although educational attainment has increased significantly over the last half-century, Americans’ knowledge of politics does not seem to have kept pace. This raises questions about how democracy survives given such low levels of political awareness among Americans, especially when looking at voter turnout during local elections which can run as low as 10 percent.
Sample Solution
The lasting success of democracy in America is dependent on the level of political knowledge and engagement among its citizens. Although educational attainment has increased significantly over the last half-century, Americans’ knowledge of politics does not seem to have kept pace. This raises questions about how democracy survives given such low levels of political awareness among Americans, especially when looking at voter turnout during local elections which can run as low as 10 percent.
