The Decline of Political Activism in America.
American citizens are expected to actively partake in political activities. Ordinary people can shape public policy by voting, donating to campaigns, writing letters, and even running in elections. With so many opportunities for people to participate in the political process, why do some choose to sit and observe from the sidelines? Some say it is lack of time or information that causes them to not partake, but I believe in American society today, the decline of political activism is due to the increase in secularism and social privatization.
Numerous people find politics intrusive of their private lives. They feel that politicians make too many decisions that can drastically affect a citizen's life. According to the article "Government: Friend or Foe?" in Newsweek magazine on November 25, 2002, sixty percent of American citizens said they do not involve themselves in politics because they feel the government tries to regulate too much of their lives. Since many people find politics intrusive, it is harder for those who are inspired by certain issues to move their fellows to become politically active. This can deter those who are interested in politics and can even mentally affect those who have a great zeal for a certain political issue. When society finds politics intrusive, it is easy to resist the temptation to participate in political life.
People in present-day society tend to be wrapped up in their own affairs and too committed to the pleasures of the private realm to contribute to politics. They tend to feel the political system is corrupt in the fact that participation would not make a difference in the issues they care about. Citizens also feel that politics offers few emotional rewards and it is hard for them to involve themselves with something that lacks warmth and intimacy; things that the private life possesses. According to the article "Where Should Power Lie in America?" in the Washington Times newspaper on August 22, 2003, sixty-five percent of Americans felt that state power needs to be put into the hands of ordinary citizens.