POPULAR PARTICIPATION

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

POPULAR PARTICIPATION
Meaning: popular participation refers to a situation whereby the people are permitted to take part in the political activities of their country.
Factors that promote popular participation: (1) Universal adult suffrage: this is an unlimited franchise given to all adult citizens of the country. In contrast, when citizens’ franchise is limited by race, income, tribe etc., participation in politics will be limited. Thus, popular participation is determined or encouraged by universal adult suffrage. (2) Political and civic education: this will enable the citizens to become enlightened about their political and civic rights and duties. When they know these things, they will be more disposed to political participation. (3) Multi-party system: each party has its ideology and manifesto. In a one-party system, the single ideology may not accommodate or represent the diversity of the people’s will. Hence, they may not participate. But a multi-party system gives room for all the diverse interests to be fully represented. Thus, people will simply join the party that promotes their interest. (4) Direct democracy: this is a situation in which the people are directly engaged in the political decision making. In contrast, indirect democracy prevents the people from direct participation in decision making; it is their elected representatives that decide for them. (5) Federalism: in this type of government, political participation is broken down from center to state to local or grassroots level so as to carry everybody along in the political decision process. (6) Online voting: this is a modern trend in politics. It is an effect of globalization in which some countries allow their citizens outside the shores of their country to participate in election through the internet.
Reasons why people do not participate in politics: (1) Economic reason: those who cannot make ends meet would see politics as a frivolous gesture which is reserved for the rich. (2) Discrimination and marginalization: some people that feel marginalized my not see any need to participate in politics. (3) Literacy: lack of civic and political education may make a person ignorant of his political right to participate in politics (4) Lack of faith in the government (5) Corruption in the electoral system

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