Why Voting Is Important For Public Policy - 853 Words

Voting is very essential and one of the easiest methods to influence public policy. You just need to be registered, and go to a polling station. It is simple because the government encourages people to vote, to hear a broad range of opinions. It is a form of direct democracy because when you vote, it directly affects the side or issue you support. Your vote is one more supporting opinion for a candidate or issue that is counted. Some people may think that their vote won’t make a big difference, but if you look at it from another perspective it can impact smaller and local issues. Although voting is imperative because you are given this privilege at the age of 18, it is not the end of one’s ability to influence government, but rather the beginning. Public policy is a system of laws that the government created for the citizens in order to maintain order. Public policy should be fair for all the citizens, however, on many occasions it is hard to accommodate for all races a nd social classes such as lower, middle, and upper class. An example of an effective method to utilize that influences public policy is civil disobedience. Let’s use the policy that imposed high taxation on tobacco and alcohol to demonstrate one’s ability to impact the government. First and foremost the policy is beneficial for the government because it generates revenue that is earned from the products, however the consequence is that it encourages illegal activity. ThereShow MoreRelatedTo What Extent Is Voting Behaviour a Rational and Issue Based Activity in Trinidad.1469 Words   |  6 PagesPolitics of the Caribbean Question: To what extent is voting behaviour a rational and issue based activity in Trinidad. Answer: INTRODUCTION: The study of Voting Behaviour is of fundamental importance to students of Politics. This is due to the fact that it is: a) The most widespread and quantifiable form of political behaviour. b) A rich source of information about the interaction between individuals, society and Politics. c) An important lesson about the nature of the political system andRead MoreIs Time We Stopped Pretending?923 Words   |  4 Pagesthe best economic policy is. The average voter does not, and should not be expected to, have an understanding of economics which allows them to pick an economic model at the polls. Despite this, people think that their opinion on the economy should help decide their vote. In fact, voting patterns are almost independent of economic policy: the only contributing factor is whether the policy is interpreted as left wing or right wing (Carreirao 78). What people actually base their voting decisions on hasRead MoreU.S. Voter Participation Essay1744 Words   |  7 Pagesdemocratic institutions. However, there is room for legitimate disagreement about the health of our democracy, in regards to the extent of civic participation. This raises the important question of how much participation there actually is in the United States. How many Americans take part in activities such as voting, attending political meetings, joining political parties, or even discussing politics with their neighbors? The answer is surprisingly few for a country that prides itself on democracyRead MoreVoting in National Elections Should be Compulsory Not Optional871 Words   |  4 Pagesvoiced, yet now we have that right, voting does not seem so significant. Before deciding whether voting should be compulsory or optional, understanding what exactly is meant by the term ‘compulsory voting’ is essential. It is also important to educate the general public more about politics so they can make an informed decision if and when they do choose to vote. Finally, there should be a comparison with other countries which currently enforce compulsory voting to better understand how it would workRead MoreMake Your VOTE Count665 Words   |  3 Pages The Freedictionary.com defines Voting as, â€Å"To express ones preference for a candidate or for a proposed resolution of an issue; cast a vote.† The Voting Rights Act was signed by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, 1965. This was closely followed by the 15th Amendment of the American constitution, which applied a nationwide prohibition against the denial or abridgment of the right to vote on the literacy tests on a nationwide basis. The voting rights of 1965 ruled out many discriminatory actsRead MoreThe Election Of The Presidential Election Essay1493 Words   |  6 PagesI saw people meeting to discuss the importance of voting, politically affiliated clubs holding forums to discuss the best strategies to influence voters, and the Student Government Association providing free shuttle rides that took students to the voting stations. This is why claims about the disengagement of young people baffle me. Many people, especially the older generation, argue that Millennials a re disengaged in political activity and voting (Dalton 54). This claim is false because MillennialsRead MoreNews Media And Voting Preferences Essay1391 Words   |  6 PagesThe news media plays an important role in society. It sets the stage for political news, manages sources, and controls the information. It functions as a window to the outside world, and possesses the ability to shape public knowledge, attitudes, and voting behavior. The relationship between news media and voting preferences has become a hot topic in recent years worldwide. This paper will focus on the social and social-psychological aspects of media influence on the voting preferences of the UnitedRead MoreCivil Liberties And Civil Rights960 Words   |  4 Pagesview of freedoms has been a continuous struggle throughout the readings. Although many members of America’s youth believe that their participation in politics is aimless, public opinion and voting are very important aspects of shaping the govern ment. Without certain civil rights being granted by the government, these important rights of expression and suffrage would not exist. There is a difference between civil liberties and civil rights in relation to the government. Civil liberties refer to anRead MoreDemocracy : A Perfect Democracy1398 Words   |  6 Pagesa specific ideology and elements specific to the organization. But, voting along party lines in the US congress diminishes democracy because it does not allow for voters to express their individual opinions to the fullest, and it ultimately does not give the best representation of the public opinion because most people to do not have beliefs that perfectly align with just one party. In order to understand how party line voting in the US congress diminishes democracy, it is first necessary to understandRead MoreThe Extent to Which Voting by Ethnic Minorities Reflects the Voting Behaviour of the Whole Electorate683 Words   |  3 PagesThe Extent to Which Voting by Ethnic Minorities Reflects the Voting Behaviour of the Whole Electorate In present day there are currently 12 ethnic minority MP’s in parliament, all of who belong to the Labour party. Ethnic minority groups tend to be part of the immigrant population and so are more likely to belong to the working class and so have a stronger party identification with labour. This can be shown in the 1997 general election in which 70% of Asian voters and 86%