Why Political Participation Matters To Make a Democracy Strong
Author: Anjolaoluwa Atanlogun
Democracy is not just about voting every few years. It is really about being active and involved in how our government runs. This kind of back-and-forth between citizens and their leaders shapes the direction of our society. Real participation happens when everyday people take charge and make their voices heard. So, why is it so important to stay politically engaged? Well, research shows it's even more crucial than most people think.
According to research from the Brookings Institution, the key to a government's legitimacy is active participation. If people only get involved occasionally, it undermines democracy. When we vote, attend town halls, reach out to elected officials, or join local groups, we create accountability. Leaders can't just do whatever they want, they have to think about our needs and opinions.
If people stop engaging, democracy risks falling apart. Leaders become disconnected, and citizens lose trust in institutions that seem to be running on autopilot. Freedom House has been tracking these problems worldwide for years, showing that when civic participation drops off, it gets harder to fight against authoritarian tendencies. Without active citizen involvement, democracy becomes an easy target for those wanting to take control.
One cool thing about political engagement is that it can really spark change. History shows us that protest movements have played a huge role in pushing for democratic advances. Milestones like women's suffrage, civil rights, labor rights, and environmental protections came from people who cared enough to get involved and challenge the status quo.
You don't have to wait until you're 18 to make a difference. Take the March for Our Lives movement as a powerful example. After the 2018 Parkland school shooting, high school students organized one of the largest youth-led protests in American history, demanding stronger gun safety laws. These students testified before Congress, registered voters, and sparked a national conversation that led to real policy changes in several states.
As high schoolers today, you have real opportunities to get involved. You can attend school board meetings to advocate for issues that affect your education directly. You can volunteer for campaigns, register eligible voters in your community, or use social media to raise awareness about causes you care about. Many cities have youth advisory councils where you can work alongside local officials. Even starting a civic engagement club at your school counts as political participation because it strengthens exactly what democracy depends on.
You don't need to be an activist or a political expert. Just being engaged individuals who genuinely care can keep our democratic systems lively. On the flip side, if people check out and let others do the governing, it weakens democracy and makes it easier for it to be exploited.
In short, everyone's involvement is super important. Democracy relies on our active participation, and the strength and stability of our society really depend on whether we choose to get involved or just sit back and watch.
References
Binder, Sarah A., Ruy A. Teixeira, and Myron Orfield. "Democracy at Risk." Brookings, August 20, 2020. https://www.brookings.edu/books/democracy-at-risk/.
Abramowitz, Michael J. "Democracy in Crisis." Freedom House. 2018. https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2018/democracy-crisis.
