Exploring Civic Engagement: Beyond Election 2008

As the nation watched presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain face off in a series of debates last fall, Salisbury University alumna Kasey Wright got up close and personal.

Interning for the Commission on Presidential Debates, Wright was onsite for the events and witnessed firsthand the excitement among students.

"Perhaps it had to do with the state of affairs nationally and internationally, or the fact that we were looking at either our first female vice president or first African American president," she said. "Either way it was a very exciting and relevant election, and a lot of first time voters took notice."

Wright got involved with the commission because she wanted to work for a "civic-minded" organization before attending law school.

"For me, civic engagement is important because it's the thread that ties everything and everyone together," she said. "There are so many opportunities for people to get involved in the political process, whether it's through government entities or civic organizations."

"Civic engagement is a vital aspect of being a citizen, and college students most of all must be encouraged to become involved within their communities and governmental agencies," said Amy Anderson, another SU grad and former chair of its Maryland Student Legislature chapter.

Civic engagement may take many forms, from working in soup kitchens, to serving on neighborhood associations, to writing letters to elected officials. Becoming involved in the electoral process is another important aspect—one that many students experienced for the first time during the recent election.

According to news reports, hundreds, if not thousands, of young people attended campaign rallies, cheering for Senator Obama. Senator McCain also wooed young voters with appearances on such popular television shows as Saturday Night Live and The David Letterman Show.

These activities and others, such as re-energizing Democratic and Republican clubs and joining candidates' Facebook groups, were followed by the even more important political act—voting.

In many primary and caucus states, voter turnout among the 18-29 age group more than doubled. In the New Hampshire primary, for example, turnout increased from 18 percent in 2004 to 43 percent in 2008.

This sea of changing attitudes did not come out of the blue. An increased interest in civic engagement among students has been quietly developing at colleges and universities for a number of years.

Surveys by The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, and Harvard University's Institute of Politics, conclude that attitudes favorable to civic engagement are becoming more widespread among young adults. For example, compared to the 2004 election, youth are slightly more interested in national affairs and are more likely to believe that political participation effectively solves important issues.

However, students today do not participate in politics the way older generations have. They are more likely to sign an online petition or contribute to a political advocacy blog than go door-to-door distributing campaign leaflets.

"That's due to new technology tools and social networking sites, and it's causing presidential candidates to pay more attention to young voters," said Dr. Scott Britten of Salisbury University's Communication Arts Department.

"The Internet is a way to get your face out to voters and potential supporters," he said. "There is an element of democratic participation that we've never seen before."

Now, every viable candidate has a technology team, he added, comparing the new method of Internet campaigning to President John F. Kennedy's use of television during his run in 1960. Of course, television still plays a part in shaping public opinion, but today it's not only journalists but also entertainers such as Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert who attract attention and make politics interesting and funny.

The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) agrees that civic engagement is an essential part of higher education, whether it's through community-based research and volunteer projects, or service-learning and internships.

How can students be better citizens as they venture out into the world? That's one thing a 2008 study by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) set out to explore. Some people (87 percent) favored giving young people the chance to earn tuition money in exchange for a year of national or community service. Others (73 percent) thought service learning should be required of all high school students.

However students embrace community activism, one thing is clear: A robust democracy absolutely depends on engaged and informed citizens. According to the AAC&U, two-thirds of college seniors already volunteer during college—and their service translates into knowledge and action that makes a difference.

So what are you waiting for? Get involved in your community. Be the change you want to see in the world.

Article provided by Salisbury University (Baltimore / DC Metro; N.E. New Jersey).