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
Executive SummaryAmerica’s Civic Health Index for 2009 shows that the economic recession is causing a civic depression. The national survey finds that 72% of Americans say they cut back on the time they spent volunteering, ...	August 27, 2009	civic health index
Americans are Turning Inward and Cutting Back Civic Engagement in Tough Economic TimesThe Economic Downturn is Reshaping Civic Engagement66% said that people are responding to the current economic downturn by looking out for themselves, while only 19% said people around them are responding to the recession by helping each other more.	August 27, 2009	civic health index
Some Political Engagement Continues After the ElectionThe Economic Downturn is Reshaping Civic EngagementThe 2008 election may have produced a substantial stimulus for public discussion and deliberation, but citizens may still find it difficult to change policies in local institutions.	August 27, 2009	civic health index
Strategies for Civic RenewalNCoC not only measures and tracks civic engagement, but also seeks opportunities to promote and expand it. To that end, we asked respondents how willing they would be to take various actions to help others ...	August 27, 2009	civic health index
Providing Incentives to Become More InvolvedStrategies for Civic RenewalIn an attempt to understand what types of incentives might motivate people to get more engaged in their communities, NCoC asked people to rate nine incentives on the likelihood they would get them more ...	August 27, 2009	civic health index
Policy Changes for Civic EngagementStrategies for Civic RenewalIn 2008 and again in 2009, we asked respondents their opinions of various policy changes that might enhance civic health in the United States. Many ideas were popular, although most were marginally less ...	August 27, 2009	civic health index
Engagement and Perceptions of the Civic ContextWho Engages?Few, if any, significant differences in civic engagement emerged between residents of high- and low-scoring states that could not be explained by differences in demographics. However, state average civic ...	August 27, 2009	civic health index
Feeling Empowered Makes a Difference for the Generally UnengagedWho Engages?Those who strongly disagreed that politics and government seem so complicated were more likely to attend a club or community meeting (36%), work on a community project (25%), and attend public meetings ...	August 27, 2009	civic health index
How is the Recession Affecting Nonprofit Civic Engagement?by Lester Salamon and Stephanie GellerThe recession may actually be prompting nonprofit organizations to boost their involvement in advocacy and civic engagement.	August 12, 2009	expert commentary
The ripple effect of the U.S. economic crisisby Jennie BrandJob displacement is affecting long-term steady employment, hindering workers’ ability to sustain a successful career characterized by upward mobility.	August 12, 2009	expert commentary

Political Involvement Discussions and Commentary

Title	Date	Type
Civic Health in Hard TimesA 2009 NCoC PanelThis panel at the 2009 National Conference on Citizenship explored the impact of the economic crisis on the civic health of the states, using the 2009 America’s Civic Health Index findings.	September 25, 2009	video
The Legacy of Senator KennedyThe citizenship world lost a dear friend today. Senator Kennedy served in the United States Senate for 47 years and often authored landmark legislation. Through the recently passed Edward M. Kennedy ...	August 26, 2009	discussion
New CIRCLE Report on State Election Law Reform and Youth Voter TurnoutThe Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Education (CIRCLE) has released a report on how different state election laws affect turnout among 18-29-year-old voters. For states committed ...	July 17, 2009	discussion
There’s No Stimulus Like Serviceby John Bridgeland and Alan Khazei“Democrats in Washington say the nation needs more jobs. Republicans say the economic stimulus isn’t working fast enough.” In a Politico op-ed, NCoC advisors John Bridgeland and Alan ...	July 17, 2009	op-ed
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
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
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
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
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
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

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