American citizens have large amount of power in our country. They help our country through paying taxes, voting in qualified governors and doing simple acts of community service including recycling and donating food. But there is a situation. A situation that lasted for two centuries, which plagued the Articles of Confederation and is currently affecting the Constitution. Many American citizens are not acting like good citizens to their country because of many reason. One is poverty where many citizens don’t have enough money to sustain themselves and they couldn’t get an education. This resulted in another problem, education, as more Americans couldn’t get an higher education due to high prices in tuition and they also can’t support their …show more content…
The reason why active participation is so crucial to the United States is due to the fact that our government is a representative government. Without citizens who are actively engaged in local, state, and national governments, our governing system would fail. Local governments touch the lives of every American by providing the essential governmental services people need to live together day to day. Citizens participate in local governments by determining appropriate tax bases, electing and overseeing those who hold local government office, and being willing to hold office themselves. At the state level, citizens must make informed decisions about who should be governor, who should hold other executive offices, and who should serve in the legislature. Many states also rely on citizens to elect their judges, including justices of the peace, municipal judges, county trial judges, and state appellate judges. Furthermore, opportunities for direct participation on the national government are more limited than at state and local levels, but they do exist. Congressional representatives often rely on constituent groups to advise then on issues of public policy Another way Americans can influence the national government is by joining associations and NGOs that
The movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a good example of how a political participation can help that state to achieve their goals. In the movie, Smith Jefferson is the main character that is appointed by the state governor Hopper to replace a Senator who died recently. The movie presents a society in which the people are fully practicing their rights by involving themselves in the political process. However, compared to the movie, present-day societies are more involved in political participation; because people are more willing to learn about politics, and can be much more educated than the people presented in the movie. The similarities between contemporary political participation and the Jefferson movie are that people’s participation
I am writing to inform you of how important it is, in any free country or democratic republic, civic and political participation is absolutely crucial because without it, decisions about the affairs of the state would be left to a select few, who could enact laws that aren't in the best interests of the people.
There are many more ways people can participate in politics other than by voting. In the United States, the second highest form of activity is by participating in community work in local communities. The
The agency has discussed about Civic Engagement primarily for the homeless people around the Georgia State campus. The purpose of the organization is to reach out to volunteers to help make a change to the homeless society and promote the quality of life to them. During the time with the agency, they provide an overview of the youths and adults who are homeless around campus. One issue they mentioned is that homelessness is very invisible because no one pays attention to them, and people tend to only care for themselves. In my experience as a Freshmen, I see students walk pass them every day, and they have their first impressions of staying away from the homeless because of the clothes they wear and the way they act to other people.
Although the government seems very complicated on the surface, in reality, it isn’t as bad as many people think it is. Many people have even given up because they don’t think they can understand it or think they don’t make a difference in it. Really, American citizens help keep politicians accountable, and put government officials in
Basic participation in the government helps. It exercises the right citizens hold, and the power they hold over the central, and local governments. With power, comes freedom, and by exercising one's freedom, they central powers are kept at bay. This also includes voting. Not only voting for people who lead this country, but also voting for laws. Laws control how truly free one is, dictating how one must act. A citizen may vote against laws that infringe upon already established rights, and for rights that help secure freedom. There is a balance, laws are in place to keep one individual from infringing on another individual without compromising that first individual rights. Now, voting for leaders is a similar topic. The leaders of the United States are behind every decision that is made. Therefor, voting for those individuals who intend to increase freedom and secure rights is key. As well as voting for the removal of those leaders who infringe upon rights, removing them from their office and reestablishing the lost freedom they have created. Coinciding with the participation in government, simple activity in one's community is an important role in contributing to the country. Community service is an immensely important act that must be done by every citizen, no matter how small the act. Contribution to the community through volunteer work can be done by any individual willing. This once again brings back the original point of military service. While one is being paid to work for the community, it is still service to that very
Although the United States may seem democratic, the truth is not in a single person representing the country, but instead a leading group, making it an oligarchy. These powerful members such as economic elites and organized interest groups are responsible for influencing control over the general population and causing the most change to the American nation. The government system is structured a specific way where the average citizen is not directly contributing to its politics and legislature. The real people controlling the mass population in our states and country are an organized group of politicians that exercise the power and control over the country due to the natural instinct and tendency to seek power. For instance, common and public good distribution and regulation have been established by other higher officials and elites, not the people. Large-scale organizations tend to rise to oligarchies because they seek people with special qualities and elevated skills instead of the average uninformed and incompetent citizen who might not be capable to know how to benefit the nation. Most organizations and interest group leaders incline to education and have expertise, therefore the have an instinct to contribute to the power being enforced in our government. Americans do have some features central to the
Exercising rights or voting is a way to gives everyone a say situations. Making sure that citizens vote is a major part in how the world is ran. If one do not vote, their voice will not be heard. Their may become some flaws or serious inquiries that can lead the country into hard times. Although, the president most decisions, the citizens and Supreme Court has to be on board in order for any changes.
Yes, government should be in the business of promoting civic engagement and political participation. Why? Because people usually chose not to vote because they don’t believe that their votes matter or they are not educated on the material that the government is conveying to them. When it comes to politics, America has it good. Citizens that are over eighteen are able to vote on various different political stances. Americans can voice their opinions on what should or shouldn’t happen in the United States. In many countries, people don’t have a choice on what goes on in their government.
John F. Kennedy, our nation’s 35th President once said, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” I, an American, firmly believe in this quote. I believe that in order for any government to be effective, it must require active participation of its citizens. I also believe that by attending Virginia Girls State, I would be able to fulfill my ambitions of exercising leadership and citizenship. Not only would I receive those benefits, but I would also gain experience of living with similar individuals as self-governing citizens with the duties of American citizenship. I am truly interested to learn about the creation of city, country and state governments and to get the opportunity to
According to (Ene, 2014) the vital component for citizens in a democracy is citizens’ participation and it takes numerous methods. Citizens have a responsibility to become knowledgeable about public topics, to observe the comportment of their leaders and councils, and to communicate their individual beliefs. Participation also comprises appearing at public meetings, voting in elections, debating concerns, participate in