Political Scientists Seek Ways to Promote Civic Participation

Newswise — As Americans turn a cold shoulder to politics and civic involvement, a group of 19 leading political scientists - including the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Katherine Cramer Walsh - have recommended a package of reforms to improve democracy and heighten civic involvement.

In their new book, "Democracy at Risk: How Political Choices Undermine Citizen Participation, and What We Can Do About It," the group identifies a sweeping agenda for reform.

"We don't want to just increase the amount of citizen participation, but the quality of it, and the equality of it," says Walsh, an assistant professor of political science and an expert in civic engagement in politics.

There are many signs of a public that has become apathetic and disengaged from politics, the authors say. In 2002, only 15 of 435 congressional races were decided by four percentage points or less, and in the 2004 presidential elections, despite massive voter drives, voter turnout increased by just five percent over 2000.

There is also evidence of plummeting participation among the young, and a decline in civics education in schools.

Their book, published by Brookings Institution Press, identifies an "erosion of the activities and capabilities of citizenship," and suggests some practical remedies.

Among the authors' nearly four dozen recommendations are:- declaring election day a holiday;- taking the redistricting process out of the hands of politicians;- shortening the presidential selection process; - encouraging more civics education;- mailing polling place information and sample ballots to voters;- rigorous enforcement of fair housing laws to ensure diverse communities;- encouraging citywide systems of neighborhood councils; - and clarifying federal tax rules that discourage involvement in public policy-making by nonprofit groups.

"It is the first pronouncement by political scientists as a collective to say, 'Here's how institutions themselves affect civic engagement, and here's what we can do to change it,'" Walsh says. "We make recommendations that are pretty bold."

Walsh spent much of her time examining how citizens can become more civically engaged in urban and metropolitan areas.

"Our concern is much broader than voting," Walsh says. "The book grew out of the idea that we needed to put together a summary of what political scientists know about how the political process itself influences whether or not people become involved as citizens."

The effort that produced the book is part of a recent effort by the American Political Science Association to have political scientists take a stronger role in the nation's discussions about democracy.

"We brought 15 people together in 2002, and the group eventually grew to 19. We spent two years meeting, writing and doing research and passing the manuscript back and forth," she says. "It was very much a collective endeavor. "