Why Ordinary People Need to Understand Power

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Why Ordinary People Need to Understand Power
Civic education is an integral part of promoting democracy. One way of advocating for democracy is educating ordinary people on aspects related to power. Several chapters from the book American Government authored by Glen Krutz will be used for purposes of civic education. Chapter Six indicates that public opinion is the perception of a group regarding a person or an aspect (Krutz 200). However, public opinion does not always mean the actual turn of events as indicated in the last general election in the United States. For instance, Hillary Clinton was the most preferred candidate as compared to Donald Trump but after Election Day, the Republican candidate emerged victorious (Krutz 200). Chapter Seven discusses the issue of voting where it addresses registration of voters, voter turnout, elections, campaigns, casting ballots, and direct democracy (Krutz 241). Chapter Eight discusses the media regarding its limits and its impacts (Krutz 288).
Some States have restrictive laws regarding voting that inhibit registration (Regan n.p). Gerrymandering is also a cause as districts are redrawn by politicians (Greenfield n.p). Its disadvantages voters based on race, political party and acts as a strategy to secure seats for incumbents in the political arena (Oliver n.p). Illiteracy on civic power has also significantly impacted voting in the United States. Politics has been unconsciously subcontracted to those with power that is professionals, researchers and the rich.

It has served to exclude the minority leaving them behind (Liu n.p).
It is very important for Americans to vote (Krutz 253). Voting is a civic duty that serves to take power back to the people and make the Americans the choosers of representatives (Oliver n.p.). Through voting, they get to understand the civic power and get a platform to champion change through advocacy.
In a democracy, the citizens are not mandated to vote. Non-voting is never a good option, but all depends on the people’s choices. In most cases, those who fail to vote are either busy, do not like the candidates or have no interests at all (Jacoby n.p.). Not voting only denies people to make use of their civic power in the dynamic institution.
The millennials are not only disenchanted by the political system but also by lack of civic knowledge on power and tweedism (Lessig n.p.). Majority of the young people are ignorant of the fact that their voice can count in instituting change. Gerrymandering for some states is also a cause.
If millennials voted, they would aid champion change, value systems and skills through social media (Liu n.p). They would help pass the civic knowledge on power, and help put the right people in power.
Works Cited
Greenfield, Jeff. “North Carolina and Maryland Challenge Gerrymandering.” YouTube, 24 Sept. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovalV0bR11A
Jacoby, Jeff. On Election Day, not voting is also a legitimate choice. 2016. <https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2016/09/10/election-day-not-voting-also-legitimate-choice/f1JM4H0gloWJlbrVSrIwUK/story.html>.
Krutz, Glen. American Government. 2nd ed., OpenStax, 2017.
Lessig, Lawrence. “Our Democracy No Longer Represents the People. Here’s How We Fix It | Larry Lessig | TEDxMidAtlantic.” YouTube, 20 Oct. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJy8vTu66tE.
Liu, Eric. “Eric Liu: Why Ordinary People Need to Understand Power.” YouTube, 14 Aug. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd0JH1AreDw.
Oliver, John. “Gerrymandering: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO).” YouTube, 9 Apr. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-4dIImaodQ
BIBLIOGRAPHY l 1033 Regan, Michael. Why is voter turnout so low in the U.S.? 2016. <https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/voter-turnout-united-states>.