Do Americans have 'political efficacy'?
What is the difference between EXTERNAL 'political efficacy' and INTERNAL 'political efficacy'?
Which one is more important?
Yes, Americans have political efficacy, the belief that one’s political participation really matters and can make a difference. (Edwards 313). External ‘political efficacy’ is the belief that the political system will respond to citizens. Internal ‘political efficacy’ is the confidence in one's own ability to understand and to take part in political affairs and that they can make a difference. I think internal ‘political efficacy’ is more important because when citizens feel confident they become empowered to take part. When confidence is absent citizens sit back and wait for someone else to come and make change. Therefore with internal ‘political efficacy’ there is a higher rate of citizen political participation and will ultimately have a greater impact than waiting for the political system to respond.
I think External political efficacy is more important than internal political efficacy. We vote for the people we elect and we have to be able to make changes. With external political efficacy people have to voice their opinion for things to change. This causes people to say what they think needs to be done. It makes you think more about who you are going to put in to office because you have to trust that they are going to do what you want.
I would have to agree with both Dalton and Cassidy. Some Americans have political efficacy. Political efficacy is the belief that your political participation is worth it and matters. I would say that some people think that their opinion matters and then there are some that don’t think their opinion will make a difference and, therefore; they don’t vote. I also, believe that external efficacy is more important than internal efficacy. External efficacy is where the person says what they think and want to change where as internal efficacy is where the person is just confident that their opinion will be met even if they haven’t formally gone out and voiced their opinion. Therefore, I think external efficacy is more important because if people don’t verbally state their opinion and what changes they want made then they may not get made.
I believe that internal political efficacy is more important. In order for the citizens to make a difference, they must believe that they can make a difference, and that they are informed enough to make a difference. With higher particpation of informed citizens, the country could be shaped the way the population truly supports.
Yes, Americans have political efficacy, the belief that one’s political participation really matters and can make a difference. (Edwards 313). External ‘political efficacy’ is the belief that the political system will respond to citizens. Internal ‘political efficacy’ is the confidence in one's own ability to understand and to take part in political affairs and that they can make a difference. I think internal ‘political efficacy’ is more important because when citizens feel confident they become empowered to take part. When confidence is absent citizens sit back and wait for someone else to come and make change. Therefore with internal ‘political efficacy’ there is a higher rate of citizen political participation and will ultimately have a greater impact than waiting for the political system to respond.
ReplyDeleteI think External political efficacy is more important than internal political efficacy. We vote for the people we elect and we have to be able to make changes. With external political efficacy people have to voice their opinion for things to change. This causes people to say what they think needs to be done. It makes you think more about who you are going to put in to office because you have to trust that they are going to do what you want.
DeleteI would have to agree with both Dalton and Cassidy. Some Americans have political efficacy. Political efficacy is the belief that your political participation is worth it and matters. I would say that some people think that their opinion matters and then there are some that don’t think their opinion will make a difference and, therefore; they don’t vote. I also, believe that external efficacy is more important than internal efficacy. External efficacy is where the person says what they think and want to change where as internal efficacy is where the person is just confident that their opinion will be met even if they haven’t formally gone out and voiced their opinion. Therefore, I think external efficacy is more important because if people don’t verbally state their opinion and what changes they want made then they may not get made.
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DeleteI believe that internal political efficacy is more important. In order for the citizens to make a difference, they must believe that they can make a difference, and that they are informed enough to make a difference. With higher particpation of informed citizens, the country could be shaped the way the population truly supports.
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