Unit 3: Dynamic Citizen Engagement & Dissent

Political Participation

The methods citizens use to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue.

Conventional Participation

Routine, approved behaviors that use institutional channels.

Unconventional Participation

Activities outside established institutions, often arising when citizens feel the system is unresponsive.

Voting

The most common form of political participation.

Low Political Efficacy

A feeling of unresponsiveness in the political system, leading to unconventional participation.

Campaigning & Party Activity

Engaging in political activities like donating money, canvassing, or attending rallies.

Civil Disobedience

Deliberately breaking unjust laws in a public and organized manner.

Coerced Participation

Participation that is compelled by the state to demonstrate support.

Managed Democracy

A system where elections occur, but opposition is controlled to favor the ruling party.

Safety Valve

Channels for dissent that prevent larger scale unrest.

Social Movement

Organized collective action aimed at enacting, stopping, or reversing social changes.

Repression

Using force to crush protests or dissent.

Accommodation

Conceding to some demands of protestors to mitigate the movement's impact.

Civil Society

Autonomous voluntary organizations outside of government control.

Legitimacy

The acceptance of a government's right to rule by its people.

Internal Efficacy

The belief that one understands politics and can actively participate.

External Efficacy

The belief that the government will respond to citizen participation.

Tiananmen Square Protests

1989 demonstrations in China that were repressed by the government.

EndSARS Movement

A youth-led protest against police brutality in Nigeria in 2020.

Guardian Council

An Iranian body that vets election candidates to ensure they align with Islamic values.

Corruption

Distrust in the fairness of the political system, often driving protest.

Economic Hardship

Financial difficulties that can trigger civil unrest.

Protests & Demonstrations

Public gatherings to express opposition or demand change.

Boycotts

Refusal to purchase goods or services for political reasons.

Political Efficacy Formula

Participation = Motivation × (Probability of Impact) - Cost.

Patron-Clientelism

A political system where participation is based on transactional relationships.

Protest Movements

Collective, organized challenges to the status quo, often due to institutional failures.