Popular Participation in Politics

Sometimes the problem of poor governance doesn't come from the leaders but the citizens of a country. In a situation whereby people show apathy to the governmental affairs in their country, it will also have negative effects politically. Political participation is the opposite of political apathy which is the process by which citizens of a country gets involved and active in the political and governmental affairs of their country. They have a say in the decision making process in the country. Political participation implies that the people are concerned about what is going on in their country. They simply lack apathy, they want to involve and influence the decisions that can help their country move forward in the political realm. If you want to read my previous article on political apathy, you can check it out here. https://read.cash/@Seersam/political-apathy-using-nigeria-as-a-case-study-6a51e50a

Let's look at some of the ways we can participate politically or dimensions of political participation.

1. Contesting elections into different public offices. While many are always blaming the front tier leaders of incompetence. You can also exhibit political participation by contesting for office of power where you feel you are capable. Some are competently trained and knowledgeable in diverse areas of politics. Such can contest for corresponding offices to be elected. Don't just stand down and blame others. Contest during elections. This is one of the ways of political participation.

2. Voting in elections without accepting bribes. Yes voting is an electorate power or the masses weapon to pick who they want into the position of power. You want somebody to be elected as a president? You can only do that through voting. Displaying nonchalant attitude during voting always result to incompetent leaders being chosen. Voting during elections give us the opportunity to vote for our preferred candidate. You don't have to be bribed to vote the wrong person into power. Vote for the right person. Voting under duress is not a good vote and should not exist under a democratic government because everybody has the right to vote for whoever they want.

3. By belonging to a political party which will help people to take active roles in the political affairs. Political party consists of people who are organized by feature and share the same political beliefs, values and view. They are interested in gaining the control of government so that their political objectives and programmes can be achieved. By joining a political party, you shared in their ideologies and you are ready to promote the good political values of your party. Belonging to a political party also enable the national interests to be shared.

4. By writing political articles in the newspaper, newsletters, journals. Etc.

This will help to create more awareness and sensitization to people far away. Writing political articles will help people to know what is present and trending in regards to the position affairs of their country. This act of participation in Political affairs can help people to also check the government regularly especially when they're trespassing.

You will agree with me that a country whereby there's full participation of people will move forward political and in all other areas too.

Popular participation in politics will bring about transparency in the government because the government knows that the citizens are watching them and they are accountable to them. This will in turn reduce corruption in the society. A society full of apathy towards the governmental affairs is most likely to suffer for it. The government will do such people anyhow because they don't have any watchdogs to check them regularly.

Popular participation in politics will also bring a sense of ownership and belonging to people of the society since they realized that directly or indirectly they're the influencer of whatever happens to them. It also helps to bring unity and progress to the people.