This course will focus primarily on the American political system and how it affects us as citizens (and hopefully how we can affect it as well). Part of our reading this week discusses the interaction between trust in politics, knowledge in politics, and a sense of political efficacy. It also detailed the incredibly low level of political knowledge held by most Americans. That is something we will try to change this semester. Regardless of how much you know about our government or how much you trust it, it impacts you every day in many ways. As illustrated in Box 1.1 (pg. 6) and Fig. 1.1 (pg. 8) the government plays a large role in your life. This week I would like you to discuss any or all of these issues. Two questions that you might want to answer:
1. Although the government impacts us each and every day, most Americans don't know much about it or don't care. Why do you think that is the case?
2. How do you feel knowing that the government plays such a huge role in your life? Safe? Secure? Nervous? Vulnerable?
Remember: Your answers should be approximately one long or two short paragraphs and no more (around 150 words). No research is necessary but think carefully about what you want to write and respond to the ideas presented on the blog, not the people. Happy blogging!
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I believe that the American public has lost the desire to learn about government because we feel increasingly powerless to control it. This sense of frustration is what gave rise to the strongest grassroots movement in existence today: the Tea Party-goers. I sympathize with these folks because they--unlike most politicians--take the Constitution very seriously.
ReplyDeletePersonally, the fact that many of our most powerful elected officials (such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) dismiss the Constitution out of hand TERRIFIES me, and that fact that so many voters don't care worries me even more.
---Cameron
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ReplyDeleteI concur with Cameron about how the public has in fact lost interest in their government. Most people believe the government should be trusted and that they can make the correct decisions, but if it truly is a democracy we all should have a say and we should all, as responisble citizens, know about their government.
ReplyDeleteThe government today is more important than ever because it is affecting us daily, every move they make impacts us. what is terrible however is the ignorance of many americans who fail to be informed of the governments deeds because they place all their trust in them.
I would have to agree and disagree with my classmates at the same time. I don't think that the system can be at fault for everything. The government officials are corrupt and they don't necessarily concentrate on the wellbeing of others, yet about well being of themselves in the office. This is why people lose faith in the government and stop caring about it. In my opinion each election of the government official places hope within one's heart for a better change which at times is very disappointing.
ReplyDeleteVery true Diana because in today's situation, we have a failed economy, and all of the americans placed their trust in one person(Obama) but they didnt realize the gravity of the situation we are in. The people are desperate for "change" but i think some people think its easy to reverse an obliterated economy. I for one disagree with people who say the worst is over.
ReplyDeleteAnswering the question why some Americans don't know or don't care that the government impacts their lives each and every way: I think it's because they are already provided with things like water in their showers, garbage collection and secure roadways (Box 1.1). They are used to all these "given" things,don't notice them therefore, take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteNow, does the fact that "Big Brother" is watching make me feel vulnerable and nervous-absolutely not! Control by the government gives me some sort of comfort,knowing that any wrong doing will be punished in a court of law.Its necessary in any society.
Government policy and ways of operating was never something on my radar until I had children. Navigating the labyrinth of agencies for a variety of issues made me realize how out of touch I was with the way things are done politically. After many frustrating attempts to affect change, I began to understand the strength in numbers - that big business (corporations) has more influence over individuals and gov’t officials are influenced by their constituents and lobbyists whose purpose is to ensure their agendas are realized. With that, for me, participation has been discouraging.
ReplyDeleteI do feel vulnerable as decisions are made that are often not with the best interest of the people but more in step with the agendas of those who make up the classes that rule. Despite those realizations, it is importation to be abreast of what is happening around us and participate in any way possible.
I think that one of the reasons why Americans don’t really care about the Government's impact on their lives is because there could possibly be no direct connection between their job and the matter of politics in general. Moreover, not having any knowledge of the Government’s function does not really affect the everyday life of an average American. However, anybody can be able to educate themselves when talking about American politics, but only if they have a personal interest in it. The percentage of people who actually know about it is not very high because this is a complicated subject which involves knowledge of not only politics but history as well. The process takes erudition and high intelligence. On the other hand though, we can't expect for everyone to be familiar with this topic. In my opinion, as a person who is not from this country, having certain people who don’t care about the Gov. is not just an American phenomenon. In general, there is a small group of people that can understand chemistry, physics, or computer science, just like there is a small group that can understand politics. There is also another small group who has no interest in learning about politics whatsoever, because they strongly believe in the deeds of the Gov. which they personally have elected.
ReplyDeleteThe Gov is the organ by Constitution which determines the politics of a country. We know that in every country the Gov. (except for Somalia, who has no official Gov.)controls, regulates and creates the foreign and domestic politics of a country. It also provides social order and National security. If we have something against the Gov then we would have to appoint somebody else to do its' job. The Gov. is there to protect and guarantee our rights. It should also defend the interest of its citizens. I feel safe because if not the Gov. who else would stand behind mine or your interests!?
Given that 75 % of the High School students don’t graduate on time and most colleges have to offer remedial English and Math classes to students it doesn’t make me wonder why this lack of curiosity also extents to politics.
ReplyDeleteThe parties themselves are a mess. There is no clear message anymore. What does it mean to be a Republican or Democrat? Politicians change parties as they choose. Mayor Bloomberg or Joseph Lieberman come to mind and the individual parties have changed radically. Martin Luther King JR. was a republican, can you imagine him described by todays party ideals or President Richard Nixon PROPOSING and signing into law the EPA today?
Elected officials that run counter to the main parties are an exception to the rule but can make a difference for example Jesse Ventura. Care to make a difference or dare to make a change, Democrats or Republican it is business as usual. I would not count on the mainstream for anything different.
I would argue that our education does not prepare us for the chaos that is american politics and little else.
I don’t feel any particular way towards the government. It is there. It is there mainly to tell me what not to do. Ideally it could act in my interests but I doubt that will happen.
Personally I know that I need to depend on myself and not the government. This country is a harsh place and the supposed freedoms it provides mostly smoke and mirrors. Money can makes things happen or go away. That’s how it works.
There are so many laws in place that it is impossible not break some unwittingly and I knowingly break laws on occasion.
Yup I walk my dog without a leash on the beaches and national parks. I speed on a regular basis. I bring in fireworks from Virginia and I don’t declare all my purchases when I cross the border. There are a lot more I could add. Wooo look at my rebellion.
CheschCat is TomK, My profile edit didn't change my initial profile. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI believe some Americans are aware of the impact that the government has in their lives. Some might choose to ignore it just because they don't care or because they don't have much knowledge of the government laws and regulations. Those that are aware of the huge impact of the government in their lives in every aspects and know how it function and ignore it, might be because they felt that their voices won't be heard because there not much attention to regular citizens' voice. As a result they decide to live on their lives without paying attention no more.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, some Americans don't really have no ideas at all how much impact the government has in their lives not because they don't care, but because they are lack of knowledge on how the entire government work. For example I used to work for 311 as CUNY student, as a citizen/resident in NY City there were a lot of things that I didn’t know about the local government. I gain the knowledge of the local government and others through 311. A lot of people used to call 311 to make complaint for certain issues, but in the system it says it is out of their jurisdiction. These people don’t know who handle what or not? I believe lack of knowledge of different phase in the government make some Americans stay quiet.
I believe there should be a way to educate Americans on the information that they need to know on local, state, or federal government.
I think it is extremely important for citizens to be educated about and interested in what is going on in their government. I believe that most everyday people do care about what is going on but there is alot of misinformation out there and modern-day life in a capitalist society is full of distractions, ie: consumerism, working at non-ideal jobs, struggling to make ends meet, obsession with pop-culture.
ReplyDeleteOn a personal level I can say that I am shamefully ignorant of American Government. What I do know I do not find ideal. It is disheartening to me that most politicians are older white males (the privileged class). It is disheartening to me that we have not yet seen a woman president but I do believe that change is happening and will continue to happen. I think it is important for me to become more educated about the intricacies of american government and politics so that I can more effectively work toward change. The truth is that our government has been mostly made up of the top of the pyramid, the elite upper class for a while now. The more the masses know, the more able we are to affect change which is why those in power prefer that we stay distracted, ignorant and asleep.
I think we need new ways of doing things in this country and in order to change a system we must first understand it fully. Gandhi's quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world", seems very relevant. -Courtney
The majority of the Americans that go on, day to day, without any political knowledge, are unaware of their self efficacy. The sad part about it is that, I feel that some people think that it isnt that important. They prioritize politics as the last "TO DO" on the agenda and most of the time it doesnt get done. I feel as though it isn't done on purpose but it isnt something that is highly thought of as a priority.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a problem in my community is single parents trying to do it all by themselfs and not having time to educate themselfs about the Political aspect of their life because of the time constraints. I dont think that it is anything that is done on purpose, but I do feel like it is highly overlooked!
Yes it's true! Nowadays government plays a huge role in everybody's life, either explicitly or implicitly. They do "stuffs" we don't even know about. Most americans don't know about the impact of the government on them simply because they don't care. Yes, that might sound a little off, but most people care about having a roof over their heads, being able to feed themselves and their children, having the feeling that
ReplyDeletesomeone is protecting them (which is obviously the government's job). So, basically they are provided with the necessary tools to survive and as long as people are getting them, they won't pay attention to what is going on on the outside of the circle.
Actually, it's just recently, during the current crisis, that people started to care a little bit, but let's face it! they
are just powerless! and that's why people feel they shouldn't care about it. Washington is the master!
Now, should i feel nervous or vulnerable because "Uncle Sam" makes all the decisions? no, no and no!
Whoever made the decisions is responsible for what he's done. There is always the law to judge people if they go wrong. Furthermore, just like what i said before, as long as i'm getting the basic needs and the feeling that security
is still around, then why worry?
Hassan