Week 12: Citizen's Interest in Politic

 

Citizen's Interest in Politic

A. Why citizen participation is important? Importance of citizen participation

    Democracy requires and involved citizens to scrutinize and contribute to government. People's power is strong to influence the political system. People have the right to vote and the freedom to speech as an interest in politics. This is a mutual relationship between government and citizens, citizens vote for the government then the government is functioning in political and governmental activities and duties.

    Then, how about the abstain? Logically, if you have the freedom to vote, you have the freedom to not vote too, it is completely normal if the candidates are not expected or people not put interest in politics anymore. But once again, the vote from people is important for governmental development.

B. How is citizen participation conducted?

1. Formal Participation

a.  Voting

In general, the term referring to instances where the people exercise their freedom to vote on substantial political matters. Perhaps, the easiest way to participate in politics because the requirements are you are at a legal age (18) and you are registered in citizen data.

1). Different types of vote conducted in some countries

a). Indonesia 

Indonesia is using the most voted system to conduct a leader or government representative. A person who got the most voted will be conducted as a winner.

A = 59%

B = 41%

So, a person who will be the leader is A because A is most voted by citizens.

b). United States of America

The USA is using electoral votes to conduct a president. The USA is a federal country that consists of some states. Every state has a representative for electoral votes. The candidate who got a half plus one from the representative will be a winner. When Trump got 304 votes and Hillary got 227 votes, Trump won. Although, the popular vote is Hillary.

c). Australia 

When election day comes in Australia. Australia is using the preferential vote to elected a winning candidate. The illustration is when you are voting for Australia Election, you are choosing:

A: 2

B: 1 

C: 3

If B gets the most preferential in number one from the majority, B will be a winner. 

d). Estonia

Estonia is using E-voting for the election. In 2019, 44% of people voted by using e-vote. But, this system is vulnerable to cyber-attack.

2). What do you usually vote for?

1. Representation 

a. Executive

b. Legislative

2. Referendum/ plebiscite (important decision)

There are some referendum in the world:

a. Papua independence movement 1969.

b. East Timor.

c. Catalonia Referendum in Spain.

d. Caledonia separate from French.

e. Brexit (British Exit from Uni Europe).

b. Political Parties

Provide a platform for citizens to become professional politicians and influence politics directly.

Also serves as :

a. Representation

b. Goal formulation

c. Interest aggregation

d. Socialization and mobilization

e. Government organization

Independent = possible but you have to pay yourself to campaign and you don't have dedicated followers, not so much success.

2. Informal Participation (outside government)

   

a. Social Movements

    A Social movement is an organized and coordinated movement that consists of many people to achieve some tasks or some of the goals. The participants are focused and interested in social change. When you feel membership is not enough, you take to the street and organize. Not like a rebellion or uprising. A social movement is much more organized and persistent.

Example: Climate change movement.

b. Non-government Organization (NGO)

 An overarching term for an organization that exists outside the formal government structure. Ofen specialized organization comprised of both citizens and experts dealing with niche issues. Power and political influence depend on the relation with the formal government, some NGOs have a strong influence on the government, and small NGOs have a low influence on the government. The funding of NGO is not supported by government, NGO is getting fund by donation.

How do NGOs operate?

1. Provides a place for citizens to share ideas and organize.

2. Gather and mobilize the masses.

3. Gather money through donations from members to be used for advancing their political interest.

4. Lobbying and pressuring the government through many channels.

C. Conclusion:

1. Citizen participation is crucial in sustaining a democratic government.

2. Citizens are not as powerless as they may think they are.

picture source: google.com

edited by: Ditha Egidia

written by: Ditha Egidia Sari