Political Participation
POLI0094 Political Participation: Why and How?
1st Semester, 2010-11
Term Paper From Twitter Revolution to Internet Censorship in China – a discussion on the Internet and political participation
Introduction
Politics could be defined very broadly as the adjustment efforts of humans attempting to coexist in an interdependent relationship. In defining a political system, we refer it to a system which is a persistent pattern of human relationships that involves, to a significant extent, power, rule, or authority. Politics concerns about the process in which a government outcomes or decisions on public affairs is made. The course of action or behavior people conduct to influence in the process of negotiation, bargaining and compromising for a political outcome is what we refer as political participation. There are numerous reasons behind one’s participation in politics which may include hoping to achieve one’s aim, running for the office and even simply out of admiration or attraction to a certain political figure which he identify himself to. The motives behind political participation are diverse and numerous and so are the methods and ways people take part in political affairs. A citizen may join a political party, exercise his right to voting in an election, run for the government office, make monetary contribution, attend a political meeting or even join a protest and demonstration.
Traditionally, mail and mass media play a key role in the dissemination of political information and commentaries which propel most political participation of the mass public. Nonetheless, we can observe that, starting from the begin of 21st century, with the rapid emergence of the Internet, the ways and pattern of political participation seem to be in a continuing dynamic change. It is beyond doubt that the use of Internet in politics draws a considerable amount of attention by politicians, governments and activists, with the proof of recent examples like the Obama online
1st Semester, 2010-11
Term Paper From Twitter Revolution to Internet Censorship in China – a discussion on the Internet and political participation
Introduction
Politics could be defined very broadly as the adjustment efforts of humans attempting to coexist in an interdependent relationship. In defining a political system, we refer it to a system which is a persistent pattern of human relationships that involves, to a significant extent, power, rule, or authority. Politics concerns about the process in which a government outcomes or decisions on public affairs is made. The course of action or behavior people conduct to influence in the process of negotiation, bargaining and compromising for a political outcome is what we refer as political participation. There are numerous reasons behind one’s participation in politics which may include hoping to achieve one’s aim, running for the office and even simply out of admiration or attraction to a certain political figure which he identify himself to. The motives behind political participation are diverse and numerous and so are the methods and ways people take part in political affairs. A citizen may join a political party, exercise his right to voting in an election, run for the government office, make monetary contribution, attend a political meeting or even join a protest and demonstration.
Traditionally, mail and mass media play a key role in the dissemination of political information and commentaries which propel most political participation of the mass public. Nonetheless, we can observe that, starting from the begin of 21st century, with the rapid emergence of the Internet, the ways and pattern of political participation seem to be in a continuing dynamic change. It is beyond doubt that the use of Internet in politics draws a considerable amount of attention by politicians, governments and activists, with the proof of recent examples like the Obama online