Why is political knowledge the key to effective participation in political life?
• Citizens who believe that they cannot influence the political system create a self-fulfilling prophecy. • The more that citizens know about politics and the political system, the more likely they are to believe that they make a difference and become involved. • A citizen is defined as someone who engages in enlightened political engagement. • A true citizen must have the knowledge necessary to participate in the political debate. • Americans should have knowledge of government, politics, and democratic principles. • More and more Americans are learning about politics from late-night comedians. This is problematic, since with only a few exceptions, such as “The Daily Show,” most comedians offer one-liners that offer stereotypes rather than understanding.
