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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