Political participation is defined as the process whereby individuals get themselves involved in the political activities and in the decision-making of their country.
Forms of political participation
Individual’s political participation may take the following forms:
- Voting in elections: This is one of the ways of political participation and it gives the individual the opportunity to vote for candidates of his choice.
- Holding of public offices: The holding of public office allows the individual to contribute immensely in the areas of decision making and in other crucial issues of national importance.
- Contesting elections: When an individual stands as a candidate on the platform of his party for an elective post, he participates in politics.
- Supporting political parties: A wealthy and influential individual, who is no more interested in partisan politics can sponsor or support a political party
- Belonging to a political party: This involves the individual’s active and direct. involvement in the political terrain of his country. He participates in campaigns, congresses, etc.
- Supporting candidates for elective posts: This could take the form of moral or financial support.
- Protests and demonstration: When citizens demonstrate or protest against any policy of the government, the individuals are involved in political participation.
- Partial political participation: The individual could be involved in attending partially some of the political activities e.g campaigns, rallies, etc.
- Observatory political participation: The individual is only an observer and takes delight or interest in listening to political talks, discussions, debates, etc.
The purpose of political participation
- Decision – making: Some people participate in politics in order to contribute their quota in the decision – making process of the country.
- Failure of past governments: Some people take part in politics because past governments have failed the people especially in the areas of provision of amenities e.g. water, electricity, housing, and good roads ..
- Correction of the ills in the society: The idea of some people coming into the political system is to correct some of the ills in the society. For example, bribery and corruption, tribalism and drug pushing .
- Avenue for money – making: To some people, the essence of political participation is money making and other gains associated with it.
- For respect and prestige: Some individuals participate in politics because they want to acquire respect and prestige in life.
- As occupation: Some individuals could claim that politics is the occupation they have chosen and so their active participation is in fulfilment of their political career.
- Management of the nation’s resources: Some individuals with enough resources and skill take part in politics, because they want to be involved in managing equitably the nation’s economic resources.
FACTORS AFFECTING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
- Lack of trust in the government: If previous governments have been failing in their promises, the people may lose confidence and trust in such governments and subsequent ones.
- Fear of intimidation: This may deny the individual the opportunity of expressing his opinion freely and this may affect his political participation.
- Apathy or lack of interest: Apathy could create a barrier between an individual and politics. The individual sees politics as not relevant and not worth going into.
- Ignorance or illiteracy: The effect of this is that the individual may not see the need to participate in politics. He sees politics as a birth-right of the educated class only.
- Frequent removal of elected governments: This involves military intervention in politics, by frequent removal of elected civilian government. This again can work against political participation.
- Poverty: Politics, they say, is money and money is politics. Poverty may deny an individual the golden opportunity of participating in the decision – making process of his country.