POLS 207 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Voter Registration In The United States, Cumulative Voting, Literacy Test
Document Summary
Us is not a pure (direct) democracy: it is a representative democracy. Participation and government is (still) based on geography. Possible forms of public participation: more involvement/participation = more in uence = fewer participants, direct participation: seeking public of ce. >300,000 elected of ces, only one (president) has national constituency. 17 million (7. 5%) of adult americans could potentially run for of ce, but <1% does. Democratic elections may provide safety valve to relieve displeasure of people whose positions on issues aren"t supported or ignored by government. If you feel strongly about an issue you can: in uence decision directly by seeking and winning public of ce, support others and defeat those whose actions you oppose, protest government policy, attending public meetings. Have less impact (opinion may not even be heard or voiced: indirect participation: communicating with representatives. Writing congressional representatives, etc: direct voting: the public initiating and repealing laws.