Political Science
Presenter(s): Lorig Yaghsezian
Advisor(s): Dr. John Compton
Political engagement is defined as participation in a broad range of activities through which people develop and express their opinions of the world and how it is governed and attempt to take part in and shape the decisions that affect their lives. Examples of political engagement can be face to face interactions, rallies, posting to social media, contacting local officials, voting and more. Political engagement in the United States is low; only about 60 percent of eligible citizens voted in the 2016 general election. In the midterm election, only one in four individuals who earned less than $10,000 voted in 2014. Currently, even fewer individuals contact their local officials and only about 15 percent of individuals vote in local government elections. Researchers have found participation at all levels of government to be declining in the last 50 years. Robert Putnam in his book “Bowling Alone,” said that Americans have voted less, exhibited lower levels of trust in government, and taken part in fewer communal activities since the 1970s. My hypothesis is that higher income causes higher political engagement, not only in voting but also in other avenues such as campaign work, social media usage and rallies. This can be seen not only in the general election, but also in local politics as well.