Introduction
Every country has a specific vertical hierarchy of society. There are many approaches to allow ordinary people to talk to the government, such as through protests, rallies, elections, and others. However, the critical situation is one in which the government finds itself disconnected from its voters, ordinary people, and unable to hear their views. The essay will examine the specific features of the political life of the country in the context of the ability of minorities to influence their destiny and to participate in changes. Using tools like political participation and public opinion, people can influence the country’s political processes and change their future by expressing their position.
Political Participation
The Background, Resolution, and Current Efforts Regarding the Barriers
As a historical barrier to viewing political participation, being a woman was chosen. As a background, this inequality originates in ancient times, when women were only a source of pleasure and had to obey the will of men. However, despite the current efforts to pass specific laws around the world that equalize the rights of women and men, today’s statistics show less political participation on the part of women. According to Agbalajobi, “women exercise their political rights – participating in campaigns and talking to political leaders – less frequently than men” (26).
Consequently, it can be stated that, to date, this barrier to political participation has not been resolved entirely. It is due to the too-established standards of gender inequality between men and women. As the modern barrier, being unemployed or poor in general was chosen. In this case, people do not want to participate politically due to lack of time and other personal problems. This barrier has not been resolved, as evidenced by the indifference of the poor to politics. The current efforts are absent because the barrier is too complex and profound.
Political Participation and Democratic Process
One of the fundamental principles of democracy is freedom of expression and rights. Political participation implies such an approach between the government and its people. A person belonging to a minority, class, gender, or other characteristics must have a representative in the country’s power.
It is a critical factor, enabling people to influence their lives and fortunes and directly affecting democratic processes (Agbalajobi 27). By expressing their political opinions, they have a chance to be heard. In particular, political participation of such people categories as young, poor, and least educated is particularly important. They should be able to point out shortcomings in the political system.
My Opinion on Political Participation
In my opinion, political participation should be present in a civilized society, particularly a democratic one. It builds a communication bridge between the authorities and the people, without which the government will have no idea about the lives of the nation they serve (Political Participation). Therefore, I believe everyone should be represented in the political process.
In addition, people can use various instruments to participate politically. Among them are voting in elections, donating money, working in campaigns, protests, and others (Political Participation). Each of these methods has advantages in influencing the country’s authorities and promoting the interests and opinions of the people.
Public Opinion
Public Opinion and Its Importance in the USA
Public opinion is a unified opinion of individuals, which is structured into one clear concept. This system represents individuals, minorities, cultures, or sectors of society. It is important to emphasize that it can be measured with various tools, such as public polls (Public Opinion). Public opinion plays a crucial role in the life of the country.
The USA has various minorities, social groups, and people from other cultures and countries (Public Opinion). This fact underlines the importance of the possibility for each minority to broadcast its views and needs to be heard. Therefore, as the role of public opinion in the American political system, one should stress the possibility for all people to be equal in their willingness to live in dignity and prosperity by influencing their future.
Stability of Public Opinion
Public opinion is not always a stable factor. The processes that take place in life affect the opinions and views of individuals and, therefore, public opinion. It is important to stress that modern technologies have significantly influenced this process.
The figures used by the media can significantly impact people’s views. Therefore, the trend in public attitudes fluctuates over time. In addition, this factor is damaging as it makes communication between the government and the minority that owns unstable public opinion difficult. Conducting different polls becomes more problematic because of the uncertainty in people’s positions and their variability.
Advantages of Divisive Opinion
When considering public opinion in more detail, it is important to define two types. The first consensus is when all individuals have the same opinion on a particular issue. The second divisive opinion is polarized between two opposite positions (Public Opinion).
It is important to emphasize that divisive opinion is a sign of the democratic structure of society. The presence of many minorities and cultures within one country brings a priori diversity of views, including on the same issue. Therefore, divisive opinion is a positive thing for the public policy process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to emphasize that political participation and public opinion are critical not only for the future of people but for the functioning of the laws of democracy. Numerous minorities in the United States of America, influenced by various factors, reflect the country’s democratic institutions. The diversity of opinions on different issues makes it possible to find common solutions, considering different viewpoints. However, various barriers and drawbacks, such as gender inequality and poorness, remain negative factors regarding countries’ political life and require specific solutions.
Works Cited
Agbalajobi, Damilola. Promoting Gender Equality in Political Participation: New Perspectives on Nigeria. Rowman & Littlefield, 2021.