Participation (continued)

What is social capital? The norms and trust that develop from interpersonal social relationships A byproduct of other activities, not something created on its own

The decline of social capital Fewer people participate in groups Groups have fewer members Why? TV!

What are ways we can build social capital?

What does a healthy democracy really need? Which do you think has a bigger potential effect on the health of democracy, having an informed citizenry, having active political participation, or having close-knit communities?

Interest Groups Theory

Interest Groups Definition: groups that have organized to promote a political agenda.

Groups: a theoretical perspective Should people participate in a group whose existence benefits them? Will they? Analogy of firms in a competitive industry Analogy of the nation-state

What makes it easier to form a group? Size Homogeneity Cost

How do large groups form?

Selective incentives A selective incentive (either negative or positive) applies selectively to individuals depending on whether or not they contribute to the provision of the collective good.

Types of selective incentives Material Solidary (social) Expressive

Effects of selective incentives? Power of the AARP and the NRA Strong parties and voter turnout in the 19 th century

What kinds of interest groups will be more likely to form? How do these incentives affect the fairness and representativeness of the political system?

Pluralism Groups can form freely Any potential group can form if its interests are at stake All groups’ interests will be represented No one group will dominate all the time