1. Political Participation Equal Opportunities and Unequal Voices

2. Opportunities, Costs, and Benefits BUYcotting – Using purchasing decisions to support the products and policies of businesses (p. 139/151). Rational Actor Theory – The theory that states choices are based on our individual assessment of costs and benefits (p. 139/151). Free Riders – Those who enjoy the benefits from activities without paying the costs of participation (p. 140/152). *Attributes of Political Activities (chart p. 140/152)

3. Characteristics of Political Participation 1) Seeks to influence government policy 2) Has broad legal consequences 3) Varies in form Chart p. 140/152

4. Ingredients for Involvement 1) Access to Resources – time, money & skill (chart p. 142/154); factors of diversity - family wealth (chart p. 142/154), education, religious affiliation, workplace, race and gender (chart p. 142/155) 2)Political Engagement (Interest) – Psychological predisposition towards or interest in politics (p. 143/155); chart p. 147/159 – Political Interest – meaure’s concern for election, outcome and positions of candidates on issues – Political Efficacy (Internal and External) – empowerment/satisfaction via political involvement – Political Information – amount of knowledge posses – Strength of Party Identification – degree of loyalty 3) Mobilization (Political, Direct and Indirect) – target groups for involvement

5. Voting – Free, Fair, Frequent* Who Votes? Who Doesn’t? – Who Votes (chart p. 146/158; increase 2008*) – Average Turnout in National Elections, Western Europe and United States, 1945 – 2003 (chart p. 148/160) Factors Influencing Voter Turnout – Voter Fatigue – A tendency to tire of the process of voting as a result of frequent elections (p. 149/160).

6. Other Forms of Participation Beyond Voting: – Activities That Require More Time – Activities That Require More Skill – Activities That Require More Money (check book democracy; consumer activism)

7. The Impact of Participation Patterns on Policy Disproportionate voice of “advantaged” creating “imbalanced” democratic system

8. Participation and Civic Engagement Today (Ways to Increase Voter Turnout) Longer Polling Hours Voting on Holiday/Weekend Same-day Registration New Methods of Voting Compulsory Voting (chart p. 154/166) Decrease in Cost of Running for Office Increase Civic Skills to Increase Participation Rates