Topic: Political Participation

Source/Reference: Faulks, K. (1998). Political Sociology

Discussant: Glen S. Basilisco

Date of Presentation: January 20, 2016

A. Salient Points/Summary

Political Participation is the active engagement of the people in politics

Political Participation can be understood by looking at the lens offered by

Democratic Elitist, Rational Choice, and Participatory Theories.

While the three theories provide views and insights in political participation,

Participatory theory offers the ideal view on political participation.

It is interesting to note that there are emerging trends of political participation in

liberal democracies: 1. A More informed Citizenry; 2. Declining Political Trust;

3. Declining Loyalty to Political Parties; 4. Falling Electoral Turnout; and 5. An

Increase in Unconventional Participation

Political participation can be enhanced by introducing structural reforms and by

employing the powers Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Incorporating the ideas of ordinary citizens in policy-making, as manifested in

citizen juries, can produce positive results- in maintaining democracy and survival

of civil society.

B. Objectives of the Presentation

At the end of the session, students are expected to:

Define Political Participation and identify its classifications

Familiarize and critically assess the three theories of political participation

See Barber’s argument on the liberal citizens’ ‘passiveness’ in the Philippine

Context

Understand Barber’s concept of ‘thin democracy’ and his ideal

alternative-‘strong democracy’

Be aware of interesting trends in political participation in Liberal democracies

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Learn how political participation can be enhanced, especially by looking at the

impacts of ICT in political participation

Understand the concept of citizen juries which is starting to gain prominence

C. Discussion Outline

I. Introduction

French political thinker and historian de Tocqueville posited that the State has the

tendency to centralize power, thereby threatening the maintenance of liberty in the

society. There is a need therefore for civil and political associations to rise as an

alternative to counteract it.

The survival of civil society largely depends on the citizenry. Citizens must be

willing to participate in the governance of their own lives. It is an expression of

citizenship and is crucial in engendering a shared political culture.

II. Definition of Political Participation

How do we define political participation? There are various definitions conceived

by scholars in existing literatures. In this discussion, however, political

participation is defined as the active engagement by individuals and groups with

the governmental processes that affect their lives. It is crucial to emphasize here

the word active. This implies that membership alone in any political organization

does not necessarily mean that one politically participates.

Political participation can be classified as: 1. Conventional, such as voting,

standing for office, campaigning for a political party; 2. Unconventional, such as

signing a petition and attending peaceful demonstration; and 3. Illegal, such as

violent protest and refusing to pay taxes

III. Theories of Political Participation

How do we view political participation? Who takes part in political movements?

Democratic Elitism, Rational Choice, and Participatory theory are the three

theories that provide further understanding of political participation.

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Democratic Elitism theory of political participation (Schumpeter) believes that the

masses are generally ignorant and apathetic. The idea is that in policy-making, the

masses tend to make poor decisions. Their extensive political participation can

undermine stability. Thus, it is imperative that policymaking should be left to

those who are intellectually suited to the task, and to those who make politics as

their career.

Rational Choice theory of political participation (Olson and Downs) suggests that

individuals who can personally gain from participating will lead political

movements. The mobilization of other people can be made by making them

believe that they can benefit from such participation, and the gains will outweigh

the costs.

Democratic Elitism and Rational Choice can be considered as instrumental

theories because political participation is viewed as an instrument to achieve a

certain goal-political stability for Democratic Elitism and political gain for

Rational Choice.

Participatory theory views political participation not just a mere instrument but an

activity that is geared towards the purpose of cementing civil society together, and

educating citizens in the art of governance

Barber (1984) argued majority of individuals in liberal democracies are passive

recipients of elite decisions, rather than citizens who actively shape politics. This

is a dangerous state of affairs, because participation is a necessary precondition

for our freedom.

Barber also introduced the concept of ‘thin democracy’ wherein democratic

values are provisional, optional, and conditional.

As an alternative, Barber offers a vision of ‘strong democracy’ as an ideal

alternative where politics is done by, not to, citizens. It can be achieve by

strengthening local government, and extending democratic practice into the

institutions of civil society, increasing opportunities for the use of: 1. National

referendums; 2. Citizen-led policy initiatives;

By extending the responsibility for decisions to everyone, democracy is more

successfully defended against its opponents because every citizen would have a

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stake in its survival. It may: a. develop the political competence of individuals

thereby increasing the quality of decisions made; b. would foster amongst citizens

a sense of empathy for those with different interest, thus enhancing a shared

political culture, and c. openly resolved conflicts between social groups rather

than by secretive elites representing only the most powerful groups within civil

society

IV. Short Assessment of Theories of Participation

Originally, rational choice theory is an economic theory that tries to understand

the rational interaction of consumers and producers. Putting it in the political

dimension may be very problematic as ideology, social networks and sense of

citizenship play in the formation of people’s behavior. Basically, the said theory

fails to explain the efforts of citizens put into their membership of voluntary

political associations.

Democratic Elitism is criticized for its weak commitment to democracy. The role

of the people is reduced as a mere giver of consent.

For Faulks, developmental theory of democracy is more compelling. Political

participation is seen as good in itself, something all individuals can play a part in

and through which they develop not only their own political competence, but also

forge the links that form civil society.

V. Interesting Trends in Political Participation

A More informed Citizenry. Two most important factors raising citizens’

awareness are: 1. Increase in educational achievement which was promoted with

the rise in numbers of people attending higher education; and 2. a greater much

availability of information supplied by the mass media, particularly, television.

Declining Political Trust. People’s faith in their politicians and the way that

democracy functions in their country has been decreasing. On the other hand,

there’s a growing willingness of citizens to cast a critical eye upon their political

institutions.

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Declining Loyalty to Political Parties. Available evidence supports the claim

that citizens are becoming less loyal to political parties. Electorates are also

becoming more influenced by current political issues in casting their vote, rather

than voting out of a sense of loyalty to a particular party.

Falling Electoral Turnout. Low turnouts are a worrying sign of a lack of

engagement with conventional politics, particularly as general levels of political

competence are rising.

An Increase in Unconventional Participation. Citizens are more inclined to

engage in challenging act’ such as demonstration, a boycott, an unofficial strike

or occupation a building; membership of campaign organizations such as

environmental or women’s group now outnumber membership of political

parties in many countries

So what can we conclude is political participation in liberal democracies is in a

period of transition. Generally more educated and informed electorates is

increasingly skeptical of the ability of elites and existing political institutions to

meet their expectation-growing mistrust of traditional forms of participation-

concerned with post-material and material; and b. Citizens are more likely to take

part in a wide range of alternative forms of participation to express their

opinions-increase in unconventional political acts

VI. Enhancing Political Participation

Changes necessary to enhance participation may involve removing institutional

barriers to conventional forms of participation or increasing the use of devices

such as referendums that are already utilized to some extent.

a. Institutional reforms-include measures to make participation easier and more

worthwhile-Ex. Simple and more comprehensive systems of voter registration;

greater use of postal votes; extension of the time allowed to vote ; compulsory

voting in the least national elections~ may help offset socio-economic

inequalities in voting.

b. Even potential significance for political participation are advances in ICT and

the intensification of participation through innovations like citizens’ juries.

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Budge (1996) posited that ICT removes the barriers of size, time, and space by

allowing instantaneous and interactive forms of participation Ex. Via. E-mail,

internet, video conferencing, two-way computer and television links. It is no

longer necessary for citizens to meet face to face to discuss and decide policy-

Participants can remain at home, listening and contributing to debates before

voting

Main positive implications of ICT for poltical participation can be summarized

as follows:

1. ICT presents unprecedented opportunities to increase the diffusion of

information in order to legitimate and enhance awareness of government al

decisions

2. Information can also pass more easily from citizens to government

-communicating more easily

-bridge the gap between state and civil society

3. New technologies increase the potential for associations of civil society either

to publicize themselves cheaply, or recruit new supporters, or to canvass

opinion

4. The interactive qualities of ICT may release citizens from a passive

dependence upon the mass media and contribute to open government.

5. Social services may also be more effectively targeted at those most in need.

It is by no means certain that all the implications of ICT will be positive ones

for democratic practice:

1. Problem of regulating ICT

2. Increase opportunities for surveillance

3. Questioned the effects of ICT upon participation

What is needed is an undogmatic and practical approach to ICT innovations. As

Adonis and Mulgan (1997) argue, what is required is an experimental approach

to all aspects of ICT to ascertain what the effects, both positive and negative,

might be upon democracy.

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Interesting developments in political participation is the use of citizen juries by

providers of public services such as health care, or by local governments to

advise on local planning issues. It involves the use of ordinary citizens,

statistically representative of the population, to consider and make

recommendations upon questions of public policy. Citizen juries also make

informed recommendations, as they are empowered to hear and question

relevant experts.

Other experiments in citizen participation support the view that ordinary

citizens are capable of making intelligent decisions, and that active involvement

has numerous advantages in terms of increasing: self-confidence, sense of

citizenship, and enhancing the legitimacy of policy-making.

D. Conceptual Application Plan

In explaining political participation, examples that is highly observable will be

given.

Barbers argument will be applied on Atenean’s response to additional 5% tuition

fee increase next school year. How do we respond to the increase of Mango shake

in canteen from 15 to 30 pesos?

Examples in Philippine politics and society will be explored in order to grasp the

concepts that will be discussed.

E. Synthesis Points

Political Participation is the heart of civil society. Inactive participation of the

people in political affairs or the way the state govern our lives may mean the

death of democracy, and the end of liberty.

It is essential therefore for citizens to shape politics rather than being a recipient

of the decisions from the state. The success of citizen juries supports the idea that

ordinary individuals can make positive and informed recommendations.

There are various ways in which political participation can be enhanced. One of

the powerful tool is the ICT.

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F. Reflections and Personal Insights

From what I observed, many Filipinos still conceive political participation as an

instrument to gain political benefits.

The Philippines has a thin democracy. Participation in democratic processes

became provisional, optional, and conditional.

This is hope after all. The rise of ICT can be employed not only to enhance

political participation but also to change how people understand it. Facebook,

Twitter, and Youtube are some of the media to achieve this end.

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