This document discusses political participation, defining it as voluntary activities citizens undertake to influence government or support politics. It outlines different levels of participation, from simply living in a democratic system to more active involvement like voting, campaigning, protesting, or holding office. A variety of methods of participation are also listed, such as contacting officials, demonstrations, petitions, and financial contributions to political parties.

1. Political
Participation
By
Mr. Mahesh Jaiwantrao Patil

2. Object of the Chapter
 Meaning, definition and Nature.
 Levels of Participation.
 Agencies / methods of political participation/
Recruitment.

3. Introduction
 Political participation is necessary ingredient of every political
system. All political systems encouraged political participation
through varying degrees. By involving the people in the matters of
state, political participation fosters stability and order by
reinforcing the legitimacy of political authority.
 People living in a particular society participate in the political
system, which they develop. There are many forms of participation
and democracy in the form of government that encourages
maximum participation in governmental processes. Participation
does not mean more exercise of political rights like franchise, by
the people.
 The political system may be any kind, someone must take political
decision and do other related things like appointment, reshuffling
and removal of holders from time to time.

4.  Political participation studies human behavior in
political system and recognizes that the political
system and the political culture have a significant
impact on individual political behavior.
 Political participation needs to be understood as activities
that include both making demands on and showing
support for a Government as well as lawful and unlawful
activities

5. Definition
 Political participation is a basic concept in political
science and scholars define the concept in different ways.
It may be defined as the actions of private citizens seeking
to influence or support Government and politics.
 McClosky : “Those voluntary activities by which
members of a society share in the selection of rulers and,
directly or indirectly, in the formation of public policy” .
 Lam:- “Acts of political participation also include
political activities that are targeted at private institutions,
such as university administrations and business, and that
they are designed to pose challenges to existing rules,
norms and practices.”

6. Meaning
 The term political participation refers to those
voluntary activities by which members of a society
share in the selection of their rulers and , directly or
indirectly in the formation of public policy. These
activities are like casting vote, seeking information,
holding discussions, attending meetings, making
financial contributions to political parties, staging
strikes and demonstrations, communicating with the
legislators and other leading figures.
 the most active part of political participation is to
enroll as member of political parties., canvassing and
registering votes, speech- writing and speech making,
working in campaigns and competing for public and
party offices.

7.  It is the involvement of the individual at various levels
in the political system.
 Political participation is any activity that shapes,
affects, or involves the political sphere.
 It means their active involvement, which in a real
manner influences the decision-making activity of the
government. Democratic theory considers citizens as
rational, independent, and interested political persons
capable of expressing their opinion regarding the
persons aspiring for holding offices and also
competent in electing some persons who deal with the
policies of government in a way conducive to the
interest of the mass.

8.  Perhaps the most pervasive participation is simply living in a
democratic community and where all government action and policy
are publicized in press, radio, and television. In this situation those in
position of authority must conduct themselves in such a fashion as to
as appear to the sensible people.
 Political participation derives from the freedom to speak out,
assemble and associate; the ability to take part in the conduct of
public affairs; and the opportunity to register as a candidate, to
campaign, to be elected and to hold office at all levels of
government. Under international standards, men and women have an
equal right to participate fully in all aspects of the political process.
In practice, however, it is often harder for women to exercise this
right. In post-conflict countries there are frequently extra barriers to
women’s participation, and special care is required to ensure their
rights are respected in this regard.

9. Activities/Methods of Political
participation
 Voting
 Membership in political parties and groups and
active involvement therein
 Personal contacting (politicians, civil servants,
lawyers, associations, media and corporate
actors, friends of officials).
 Seeking help from political persons who has
influence on officials.
 Organizing a group
 Filing a lawsuit

10.  Sending gifts to officials or hosting meals
 Campaign activity
 Co-operative activity
 Demonstrations and strikes
 Consumer boycotts
 Use of labeling schemes
 Economic support to parties and groups
 Civil disobedience or riots
 Wearing of buttons, t-shirts, etc that market a political cause
 Signing of petitions
 Writing of letters to political actors or newspapers
 Culture jamming
 Constructing a home page for a political cause
 Involvement with Internet political chat sites

11. Level of Political Participation

17. Level of political Participation
 It is true that man is a political animals. Directly or
indirectly he or she participates in political process of the
country, but the level of participation varies from place to
place, time to time, and from one section of the people to
another.
 Voting - The most important participation in a democracy
is the right of adult franchise. In the absence of this right
democracy is not possible. Therefore in a democracy the
adult males and females have a right to participate in
elections. The age of participation varies in different states
from 18 to 21 years.