Six Forms of Political Participation Political Participation, Public Opinion, and Political Parties

General Observations of Verba and Nie 8 to 10% of Americans misreport (or exaggerate) their voting habits 8 to 10% of Americans misreport (or exaggerate) their voting habits Young, low-income, less-educated and nonwhite people are more likely to misreport than others Young, low-income, less-educated and nonwhite people are more likely to misreport than others Politics is not at the heart of the day-to-day life of the American people Politics is not at the heart of the day-to-day life of the American people A higher proportion of citizens take part in nonpolitical than political activities A higher proportion of citizens take part in nonpolitical than political activities

Completely Inactive 22% of the population (roughly 1/5) 22% of the population (roughly 1/5) Rarely votes Rarely votes No organizational involvement No organizational involvement Rarely, if ever, talks about politics and issues Rarely, if ever, talks about politics and issues Typically have little education, low income, and are very young Typically have little education, low income, and are very young

Voting Specialists 21% of population 21% of population Votes but does little else Votes but does little else Tends not to have much schooling or income Tends not to have much schooling or income Substantially older than the average person Substantially older than the average person

Campaigners 15% of population 15% of population Votes Votes Campaigns activists, works phones, walks precincts, etc. Campaigns activists, works phones, walks precincts, etc. Distinguishing features: interested in conflicts, passions, and struggles of politics Distinguishing features: interested in conflicts, passions, and struggles of politics Clearly identified with a party Clearly identified with a party Willingness to take strong positions on issues Willingness to take strong positions on issues

Communalists 20% of population 20% of population Much like campaigners in social background but doesn’t like conflict or tensions of partisan campaigns Much like campaigners in social background but doesn’t like conflict or tensions of partisan campaigns Reserves energies for community activities of nonpartisan nature: Reserves energies for community activities of nonpartisan nature: Forming or joining non-political local organizations to deal with local problems Forming or joining non-political local organizations to deal with local problems Contacting local officials Contacting local officials

Parochial Participants 4% of population 4% of population Don’t vote Don’t vote Stays out of election campaigns and civic associations Stays out of election campaigns and civic associations Willing to contact officials about specific, often personal problems Willing to contact officials about specific, often personal problems

Complete Activists 11% (approximately 1/9 th of population) 11% (approximately 1/9 th of population) Highly educated/High Income Highly educated/High Income Participates in all forms of politics Participates in all forms of politics Tends to be middle aged Tends to be middle aged