POL101 Notes - Participation Assignment 1 (1)
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POL101 Notes Participation Assignment 1
Mary Chen
Due: September 25, 2023
What is a public good?
A lot of political participation is not incentivised by an increased benefit for
the individual but rather for the public good. The public good, semantically,
would be a good deed for the public. This could be a change in public policy,
environmental protection, and other infrastructure or commodities that is
usually provided by the government.
What is a free rider and why does it make sense to be a free rider?
It is argued by rational choice theorists that it is within human nature to
refrain from participating if it means they will benefit regardless; public
goods are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, so many will depend on others
to vote and make the decision – in other words, being a free-rider. It makes
sense to be a free rider as nobody can be excluded from the benefits of the
public good nor will the usage by one person dimmish its use for anyone
else, hence the theory that it is irrational for humans to voluntarily
participate in elections.
Why do rational choice theorists believe it is rational to participate
if people are driven by selective gratification, but not by a desire to
change policy outcomes?
Selective gratification implies that only people who participate will receive
the benefits, and therefore provides more incentive for people, unlike the
simple desire to change policy outcomes, where it is more of a collective
decision and people may have the urge to be a free rider.
According to Schlozman, Verba, and Brady, what are the 3 most
common reasons people participate in politics? Explain what each
reason means (define each term).
The first of the three most common reasons were selective material benefits
– which did not prove to be statistically true – where people are motivated by
certain benefits that are solely granted to those who participate. Selective
social gratification also provides incentives for people to participate, as they
may feel included during protests or meet new people in a political
campaign. This feeling of community may be a common reason. Civic
gratification is similar, but for perhaps a personal feeling of accomplishment
or responsibility. One may feel like they are doing their share in the country
and is often rooted in norms of civic responsibility embedded in the political
culture of democratic countries, a great example being Canada.
Why do people who live in democracies often feel a sense of
responsibility to vote or otherwise get involved politically?
A democracy implies that the public needs to hold elected officials
accountable for their words; getting involved politically – whether it be
institutional or non-institutional – is a primary way to stabilize the democratic
society. Apathy from voters may lead to politicians with entrenched power
that can do anything with little consequence. It is important for people who
live in democracies to keep up with the political agenda and express any
discontentment for elected officials to keep their promises or change policies
to comply with the public.
In your opinion, and based on the lecture, are low levels of political
participation a problem for democracy? Does it matter if people
don’t get involved in politics?
The basis of democracy as a political system is the representation of the
population. Without their involvement, it can often lead to corruption and an
ununified state, guiding the government further and further away from the
definition of a democratic state and perhaps even closer to one of
authoritarianism. Engaged and informed citizens are what will keep a
democratic state a democratic one; therefore, yes, it matters very much if
citizens do not participate in politics within a democracy.
How do elections set up a relationship of accountability between
elected representatives and voters?
Elected officials and representatives likely are elected on the premise of their
promises. These promises, if not kept, may jeopardize their relationship with
the voters and subsequently their position in the office the next election.
Their performance during their time in office and how well they represent the
public will largely impact their reputation and probability for re-election,
especially with social pressure and participation from voters.
What role can protests and demonstrations play in democracies?
Protests and demonstrations fall under the category of non-institutionalized
participation. In a democracy, if the elected representative is unable to fulfill
their promises or perhaps does not represent the true ideologies of the
public, it is difficult to wait through their term for a few years for re-election.
Protests and demonstrations are a readily, constantly available way for
citizens to exert pressure on the elected official to notify them of
dissatisfaction among the population, or to change policies. Overall, it is a
way for citizens to make change even without a re-election.
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