The society’s quality of life is determined not only by the government’s influence but also by citizens’ interest in applying efforts to promote their well-being. In particular, the population can contribute through citizen participation – involvement in political decision-making processes and the provision of services (Holum 1). It entails specific duties and responsibilities to take actions aimed at improving the society’s welfare. Despite the fact that the individuals may not always see the outcomes of their citizen participation, their involvement is an essential element and goal in representative democracy such as the United States.
Citizen participation can manifest in various forms and significantly impact the population. In particular, people can be involved in decision-making processes through voting, petitions, focus groups, volunteering, participation in polls, and other ways. Civic participation in the US representative democracy manifests itself predominantly through voting. The population chooses those politicians who should represent and protect their interests in the best way. The role of participation is ensuring civil monitoring of government actions and informing the politicians about society’s needs (Holum 1). For example, in the US, it is constitutionally enshrined that the voices of people must determine the actions of the government (Representative Democracy). Engaging citizens through specific activities can often lead to improvements, for instance, when the chosen representative make effort to promote communities wellbeing.
Participation at the national and local levels is different, as it is often more complex and less visible at the national level. For example, individuals may not always notice their influence when voting, creating petitions, or passing polls. However, at the local level, participation can manifest in public gardening or helping neighbors through volunteering. Such contributions show the result faster and can be more satisfactory for the person. Despite the differences, any contribution through citizen participation is significant and influential.
Thus, citizen participation in representative democracies such as the US, involves the population’s activities, which can affect political decision-making and society’s well-being. Participation can take place at several levels and in various formats, and the most prominent example is voting for representatives who will protect society’s interests. It is an integral part of democracy as it informs the government about the population’s needs and helps control their actions. Citizen participation is critical in the objective of improving the people’s quality of life.
Works Cited
Holum, Marthe. “Citizen Participation: Linking Government Efforts, Actual Participation, and Trust in Local Politicians.” International Journal of Public Administration, vol, 45, 2022, pp. 1-11.
“Representative Democracy in America: Voices of the People.” National Conference of State Legislatures, Web.