Problem
Political apathy
Other Names:
Dependence on political apathyUnderutilization of political rights
Lack of participation in local politics
Lack of participation in politics
Weariness with politics
Politikverdrossenheit
Nature:
Lack of participation in politics may be caused directly by discriminatory regulations or indirectly by the workings of bureaucracy, which may tend to make individuals or individual groups feel that action is not worth while since it will be blocked in the bureaucratic process. State controlled systems, while encouraging economic and social cohesion, provide no scope for democratic protest, whereas in democracies apathy may result from the dilution of proposals in order to obtain consensus. Lack of communication contributes to general apathy. Liberal ideology thinks in terms of the citizen's lack of representation in decision centres or his non-use of it. Socialist theory emphasizes that lack of political participation can occur at all levels of society.
Existing political rights may not be used because of political ignorance, ignorance concerning legislation, fear of authority, the need to form pressure groups rather than act as an individual, lack of information, or disinterest. It may cause or be a result of dictatorship, political repression and political alienation, or derive from a high standard of living or the effects of corruption in blocking political participation.
Political apathy or lack of participation in politics, may lead to anarchy, fanaticism, and political, social or national disintegration. The underutilization of political rights undermines the practice and principles of democracy and may in extreme cases lead to dictatorship.
Broader Problems:
ApathyDisenchantment with societyDecline in civic participation Narrower Problems:
Electoral apathyUnprofitable local politicsInadequate political partiesDisillusionment with democracy Related Problems:
ComplacencySocial apathySacrifice of political idealsUnderutilization of legal rightsInadequate grass-roots initiativeBureaucracy as an organizational disease Aggravates:
Political inertiaPolitical ignorancePolitical alienationPolitical opportunismUnethical practices of governmentNational political disintegrationUndemocratic political organizationUnethical practices in the public sector Reduced By:
Student revoltStrategies:
Using consensus politicsLobbying politiciansUsing political accountability structureExercising political rightsActivating interest in politicsUsing political aggressionBeing apatheticUsing extremist political activityUsing power politicsUsing political apathyUsing political pressureUsing political organizationMaking violent political threatsDominating through politicsEmploying political dirty tricksUsing political expediencyUsing political exploitationExpressing politically extreme viewsUsing political willUsing political favouritismProviding sufficient participation in local politicsAbstaining from participation in local politics Subject(s):
Economics → Resource utilizationGovernment → Political
Government → Politics
Health Care → Exercise, rest
Social Activity → Participation
Societal Problems → Dependence
Societal Problems → Scarcity
Society → Local
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
C: Cross-sectoral problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST