Participation in Government

Topic 10.1

The History of Voting Rights

Successful democratic government depends on the participation of its citizens through voting. The history of the United States has been marked by a steady expansion of the electorate through the elimination of restrictions on voting qualifications.

The 15th Amendment declared that the right to vote cannot be denied on account of race. Nevertheless, a variety of tactics were used in southern States to disenfranchise African Americans. The Supreme Court struck down a number of these efforts, and, beginning in the 1950s, Congress passed laws to protect minority voting rights.

Topic 10.2

Your Right to Vote

All States have citizenship, residence, and age requirements for voting. Other voting qualifications differ from State to State. Some requirements—especially those that were used to disenfranchise certain groups—have been eliminated over time.

Topic 10.3

Voting Trends

Low voter turnout is a serious problem in this country. Among those who do vote, sociological and psychological factors work together to influence voter behavior over time and in particular elections.

Topic 10.4

The Voting Process

The election process lies at the very heart of the democratic concept. It is impossible to picture a democratic society in which popular elections are not held. 

Topic 10.5

Public Opinion and Polling

All of us have opinions on a variety of issues, from school prayer to which political party should be in power. Several factors help shape our opinions. The two most important factors are family and education.

Polls are the most effective means for measuring public opinion. Other measures include election returns, the activities of interest groups, and direct personal contact.

Topic 10.6

Influencing Public Opinion: The Mass Media

The American public gets information on public issues through several forms of mass media, especially through television. The media influence American politics by helping to set the public agenda and by playing a central role in electoral politics.

Topic 10.7

Understanding Interest Groups

Interest groups are private organizations that try to persuade public officials to respond to the shared attitudes of their members. They stimulate interest in public affairs and serve as a vehicle for participation in the political process.

Most interest groups represent economic interests such as business, labor, agriculture, and certain professions. Others are devoted to specific political and social causes, religious interests, or the welfare of a certain segment of the population.

Most interest groups take a balanced approach to affecting public policy. Some, on the other hand, focus on an individual issue and fight for this issue aggressively. Lobbyists use a variety of techniques to try to persuade policy makers to share an interest group's point of view.