POLI 2030 : Civic Engagement - Socioeconomic Barriers To Political Engagement
Document Summary
Rational choice theory: people do things only when the benefit exceeds the cost, should i go buy groceries, costs: money, can"t watch jersey shore instead, can"t do homework instead, gas, boredom while waiting in line, benefits: not starving, might meet someone cute, keeps mom from rolling her eyes when looking at my fridge, can stop at the bank too. Money: higher incomes can help people be more prepared to vote, more educated, more newspaper readership, more able to take time off work to go to polls, not just voting: donations take money, but, the costs of missing work are also higher, their time is worth more, but their vote still counts the same. Skills: both time and money contribute to skills, particularly when it comes to skills, we move beyond voting to other kinds of political participation, campaigning, letter writing, etc.
