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
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
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

Political Involvement Discussions and Commentary

Title	Date	Type
The Role of Citizen Does Not End With Your VoteLate last night President Obama took the stage in Chicago. To great applause he delivered his victory speech and with it an important message: it may be November 7th, but our civic duty is not over.	November 7, 2012
The Parties Versus the PeopleAn Interview with Former Congressman Mickey EdwardsMickey Edwards served Oklahoma and America for 16 years in the United States Congress and currently directs the Rodel Fellowships at the Aspen Institute. He is the author of a new book, “The Parties ...	August 14, 2012	discussion
Who Took Civility Out of Politics?Democracy fundamentally entails controversy and, as is often said, reasonable people may disagree about social issues and policymaking. But recently, many question if civility has left politics all together ...	May 1, 2012	discussion
Why Tuesday?by Jacob SoboroffHave you ever asked yourself why we vote on Tuesdays? In this guest post, Why Tuesday? Executive Director Jacob Soboroff highlights a TED Active talk that discusses the historical legislative reasons America’s ...	April 11, 2012	discussion
Discussion: Can Engagement Strengthen the Economy?6 Hypotheses on the Link Between Civic Health and UnemploymentResearch shows a connection between civic health and a community’s ability to weather a recession. We’ve posited 6 hypotheses about why this connection exists, and invite you to join in a discussion.	February 16, 2012	discussion
Politics and Social Media: What’s the Relationship Status?Measures of political involvement are down. Social media usage is up. A lot of attention is being focused on the role of social networks in the 2012 election, but early data suggests it is not realizing ...	February 8, 2012	discussion
Keynote Panel on Civility and Political Discourse66th Annual National Conference on CitizenshipThis panel was convened at the 66th Annual National Conference on Citizenship on September 22, 2011 in Pheonix, Arizona by NCoC and the Bipartisan Policy Center.	September 22, 2011	video
What’s Trending in #Congress?New Report Shows Capitol Hill Uses Social Media ExtensivelyMost Members of Congress have thoroughly integrated social media into their communications operations, and are using new media tools to gauge public opinion, communicate with constituents, and reach new ...	August 2, 2011	discussion
Can Social Media Reinvigorate American Democracy?There is no question that the rise of social media has impacted the way that American and global citizens interact with one another. The rapid transfer of ideas and perspectives across geographical boundaries ...	July 13, 2011	event reflection
Government: right-sized and in the right roleBy Karen Baker, California Secretary of Service and VolunteeringIn this guest post, Karen Baker explores the important role each sector can plan in tapping individual civic energy for social good in communities. “A multi-sector approach is based on the idea ...	May 17, 2011	expert commentary

Political Involvement Solutions

Title	Date	Type
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
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