NCoC: Political Involvement

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Political Involvement

Political activities form the foundation of many democratic principles of civic engagement. Political involvement includes voting, registering to vote, non-electoral participation (such as contacting a representative or attending a public meeting), and deliberative democracy.

NCoC believes to address community issues and challenges in any area, research must be collected, discussion must occur, and solutions must be proposed. Here, you can see research, discussion, and solutions associated with political involvement. This is meant to help explain and animate that focus area, as well as facilitate the process of moving from information to action within it.

Political Involvement Issues:Research | Discussions | Solutions

Political Involvement Research

Title	Date	Type
Let’s Get ConnectedBy John Bridgeland, CEO of Civic EnterprisesAmerica could really use a civics lesson. And it's about to get one. The National Conference on Citizenship, a federally chartered nonprofit founded in 1946 to strengthen civic ties, will release the first ...	September 10, 2006	news
Signs of HopeAmong all of our indicators of civic health, only a few show signs of civic re-engagement.	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
A 9/11 Effect?Signs of HopeMany believed that September 11 would spark the nation into a sense of community that had deteriorated over the last three decades.	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
Political Activity And Expression Are RisingSigns of HopePrivate volunteerism is dwarfed by public spending in areas that affect critically the character and provision of important needs. However, government works better and leaders are held more accountable ...	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
People Follow The News Less, Although Political Knowledge Seems To Have RisenSigns of HopeThomas Jefferson wrote: “I know of no safe depository of the ultimate power of the society but the people themselves.” This of course depends on people who know enough to be wise holders of ...	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
Signs of Civic DeclineCommunity connectedness has declined consistently and almost relentlessly since the 1970s. However, since the late 1990s participation in political activities and expression of political views have increased.	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
Appendix I.6: Understanding Civics and PoliticsThe IndicatorsUnderstanding of government has increased according to some measures. But the indicators that show progress may be problematic and misleading.	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
Appendix I.7: Participating in PoliticsSince far more Americans vote in presidential elections than in local ones, political participation is cyclical, rising every four years with a presidential election. (We separately chart the off-presidential ...	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
Appendix I.9: Expressing Political ViewsThe IndicatorsLike political participation, political expression rises and falls with the election cycle but has moved upward in recent years. Persuading other people about elections is an indicator of political deliberation.	Sep 18th, 2006	civic health index
Our Civic CoreWe believe that most of the forms of engagement measured in the Civic Health Index should be common practices among the people. For example, virtually everyone in a democracy should vote, follow the news, ...	Sep 17th, 2007	civic health index

Political Involvement Discussions and Commentary

Title	Date	Type
Beyond the VoteAmericans turned out in force for the 2008 Presidential Election with over 133 million ballots cast. Voters were heeding the call for change, but will citizens continue to be involved beyond Election Day? ...	November 5, 2008	video
The Internet: Civic Polarizer or Unifier?There's an old saying, ”Great minds think alike.” Or is that just what we tell ourselves when we find people who think as we do? Sean Parker, William Galston and Joe Trippi conclude their dynamic ...	November 26, 2008	video
Should Service-learning be Mandatory?Recent studies indicate that service-learning can play a major role in keeping students interested in their studies, thus improving attendance rates. In fact, service-learning can positively affect classroom ...	December 2, 2008	discussion
Should Congress Mandate a New Civics Test?Recently the Intercollegiate Studies Institute compiled a 33-question test on civic knowledge. The average American scored 49% and elected officials scored even lower with an average 44% score. With these ...	December 16, 2008	discussion
Can Service Save the Economy?It’s no secret that our economy is in deep trouble and that various options for its rescue and resuscitation have been a topic of strenuous debate for months. Banks and the auto industry have received ...	January 28, 2009	discussion
Band-Aid or Down Payment?On January 28, 2009 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (HR. 1), also known as the economic stimulus plan. The legislation includes $200 million ...	February 3, 2009	discussion
Could a Down Market Actually Help Uplift America?Public service pays dividendsIn a recent Washington Times Op Ed, leadership Entrepreneurs Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek say that investing in service as part of an economic stimulus package could have a far reaching and positive ...	February 24, 2009	discussion
Hot TopicService in the NewsLast week President Barack Obama addressed Congress and the rest of the nation with his plans to restore America. The president highlighted the importance of the Serve America Act to the spirit of renewal ...	March 3, 2009	discussion
In Transparency, We Trust?An NCoC Featured DiscussionIn challenging times punctuated by accusations of wasteful spending, special interests, and corporate greed, individuals are demanding accountability, respect, and trust from the governments and institutions ...	April 9, 2009	discussion
President Obama Signs the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America ActWith the signing today by President Obama of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, America takes another step toward more fully supporting both the capacity and the willingness of its citizens to serve. ...	April 21, 2009	discussion

Political Involvement Solutions

Title	Date	Type
Beyond Civility: From Public Engagement to Problem SolvingAn Action Guide for City LeadersThis new publication from the National League of Cities illustrates the principles of democratic governance, including modeling civility, creating opportunities for informed engagement, supporting a culture ...	April 11, 2011	publication
Harnessing Active Citizenship: The Internet as a Tool to Engage the PublicIn Using Online Tools to Engage-and be Engaged- by The Public , author Matt Leighninger describes how a “public manager” can use specific technologies to harness the power of active citizenship ...	June 10, 2011	publication
Planning for Stronger Local Democracyby Matt LeighningerPlanning for Stronger Local Democracy is a new guide from DDC and the National League of Cities. It is intended for local leaders of all kinds – traditional or nontraditional, established or emerging. ...	December 9, 2011	publication
Providing Authentic Opportunities for Youth Engagement in Local Governmentby Leon AndrewsWhat makes youth civic engagement “authentic?” How can cities move beyond token levels of youth participation in local decision-making toward efforts that truly prepare and empower youth to ...	September 1, 2010	discussion