Conclusion and Policy ImplicationsNew Hampshire 2009 Civic Health IndexNovember 16, 2009
The findings from the Civic Health Index (CHI) indicate a high level of civic engagement in New Hampshire. Granite Staters are more likely than Americans as a whole to volunteer, to belong to civic groups, to attend community meetings, and to work with others in their neighborhood to solve community problems. They have a positive view of the state’s civic tradition, they pay attention to public affairs, they get involved in political, social and community issues, they take voting seriously, and have high regard for the active role of citizens in the political and governing process. Many New Hampshire residents have first-hand experience of economic difficulty. Yet, it is indicative of the strong community spirit in New Hampshire that during this economic downturn many respondents have helped relatives or non-relatives with food or money or by giving them a place to stay. Many too indicate a strong willingness to make personal sacrifices in order to help others out. Despite the vibrant condition of New Hampshire’s civic health there are some findings that give cause for concern. Like Americans across the nation, New Hampshire residents are skeptical of government decision-making, especially of the federal government, and during this time of economic crisis have very little confidence in banks and financial institutions, major companies, organized labor, the mass media, and Congress. The long term consequences of citizens’ lack of trust in the social institutions – especially those that are core to the nation’s everyday economic and political functioning - may undermine the ability of these institutions to effectively perform the functions that are required of them, and in the process lead to a deterioration in the well-being of local and national community. A second cause of concern is the gap in citizens’ civic knowledge. Again, this is not unique to New Hampshire, and in fact Granite Staters are more knowledgeable about the political and legal process than the average American. Nonetheless, many residents are unsure about how the legislative process works and this uncertainty or misinformation can hinder both the quality of political debate as well as citizens’ ability to shape and impact policy outcomes. It is also evident that despite the many opportunities available to New Hampshire residents to volunteer in the community, a sizable number say that they have not been able to find an outlet through which to help others. This suggests perhaps that community leaders need to be more attentive to publicizing the volunteer opportunities available and reaching out to those who may not already be part of a volunteer network. The NCI survey shows that New Hampshire residents are using the Internet as a tool for civic engagement, and it is likely that its use will continue to grow over the next few years. The Internet opens up a whole slew of new and exciting ways for individuals to get involved in community and political activism. It can also become a source of civic inequality, however, if gaps in access to broadband or high-speed Internet are not redressed so as to ensure that all citizens – whether they live in rural northern New Hampshire or in immigrant neighborhoods in Manchester – have the technological, economic, and social capability to use the Internet effectively. Finally, one of the most persistent patterns in the survey is the positive relationship between education and civic engagement. There is a big divide between college educated and high school educated individuals in their levels of community involvement and attitudes toward civic engagement and the political process. This gap parallels the growing economic divide between college and non-college educated workers, and both trends in tandem do not bode well for efforts to build a more inclusive and participatory civic society that needs the input of all of its citizens in order to better serve the good of the whole community. Continue Reading If you like this kind of content, sign up for an NCoC.net account and we'll customize your homepage recommendations based on your interests..
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