Political Participation

, , Erin McPhee Dallas Caddy & Steve Guida

. Dr Michael Hazel

Gonzaga University

In participating in society the way that we choose to, we are acting out our political values. 

Political Participation

This overlap is how our democratic process works. 

We are showing others our political ideas by partaking in or not partaking in certain aspects of society. 

These actions then translate into what the larger political sphere pays attention to in order to appeal to the majority of the people.  

Kelshaw’s key terms to explain Political Participation dynamics:

ParticipationParticipation

RelationshipsRelationships

ParticipationParticipation

RelationshipsRelationships

Political Participation

Negotiations of values that gird personal and social ethical frameworks and –in effect- make us who we are in light of others.

We participate in the words we speak and write, and in our intended and unintended nonverbal behaviors

Political Participation

ParticipationParticipation

RelationshipsRelationships

(Kelshaw, 2006, p.156 & 158)

A process of persuasive evaluation and evaluative persuasion that continually spirals-and sometimes tumbles-in on itself (Kelshaw, 2006, p.159).

Political Participation

The unfixed premises of our beings as people (Kelshaw, 2006, p.158).

Communication

Values

““ People who identify closely with political candidates or strongly People who identify closely with political candidates or strongly prefer one outcome to another are more likely to participate than prefer one outcome to another are more likely to participate than those who do not identify or weakly identify with a party or an those who do not identify or weakly identify with a party or an

ideology” ideology” (Campbell et al., 1964).

Political Participation

Personal preference has an impact on participation.  This may not be an educated preference as we may hope it to be, it is just a personal preference. 

Political Participation

What type of theory is What type of theory is?this?this

This theory is based on an interpretive approach.

Kelshaw states that: “these are fluid complex thing that defy our empirical methods” (as cited in Shepherd, St. John, & Striphas, 2006).

This is also a theory about values, which is not something that can be scientifically tested.

Bormann states that a theory works best “when it suggests universal patterns of symbol using: A powerful explanatory structure is what makes a work of humanistic scholarship live on through time” (Griffin, 2009, p. 34).

Politics are universal.

They may not occur in the way that we think of them here in the United States, but wherever there is a power differential between people, there is politics.

Gaining an understanding of the terms Kelshaw defines and expounds upon definitely creates an understanding for the reader.

Political Participation

:It Creates Understanding :It Creates Understanding

Political Participation

Kelshaw does not detail certain values but he states that understanding our values “not only accompany our senses of everything we know, they are our senses of everything know “ (Shepherd, St. John, & Striphas, 2006, p. 158).

Kelshaw makes it clear that it is our values that determine how we do things and thus, to know what ones’ values are also allows us to focus our political participation.

It Identifies Value:It Identifies Value:

Political Participation

…And Now …And Now

Questions for Questions for !the Class !the Class

1.1.  How does the theory of communication as political participation change the perception of your daily communication activities?

 2. 2. How do your daily interactions shape your personal and social ideals?

 3.3.  Do you believe that the mundane interaction of day-to-day life is just as political (if not as obviously and conscientiously) as any extraordinary public act?

Political Participation

Political Participation

ReferencesReferences

Shepherd, Gregory, J., St. John, J., Striphas, T., (2006). Communication as … Perspectives on theory.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage .

Hwa-Froelich, Deborah A. Vigil, Debra C. ( 2004). Three Aspects of Cultural Influence on Communication: A Literature Review. Communication Disorders Quarterly. Volume: 25. Issue: 3.

Lammie, K. (2005).Young adults and a model of political participation. International communication association. 1-25.

Political Participation

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