American Insecurity

Why Our Economic Fears Lead to Political Inaction

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Practical Politics, Economic Policy, Business & Finance
Cover of the book American Insecurity by Adam Seth Levine, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Adam Seth Levine ISBN: 9781400852130
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: January 25, 2015
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Adam Seth Levine
ISBN: 9781400852130
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: January 25, 2015
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Americans today face no shortage of threats to their financial well-being, such as job and retirement insecurity, health care costs, and spiraling college tuition. While one might expect that these concerns would motivate people to become more politically engaged on the issues, this often doesn't happen, and the resulting inaction carries consequences for political debates and public policy. Moving beyond previously studied barriers to political organization, American Insecurity sheds light on the public's inaction over economic insecurities by showing that the rhetoric surrounding these issues is actually self-undermining. By their nature, the very arguments intended to mobilize individuals—asking them to devote money or time to politics—remind citizens of their economic fears and personal constraints, leading to undermobilization and nonparticipation.

Adam Seth Levine explains why the set of people who become politically active on financial insecurity issues is therefore quite narrow. When money is needed, only those who care about the issues but are not personally affected become involved. When time is needed, participation is limited to those not personally affected or those who are personally affected but outside of the labor force with time to spare. The latter explains why it is relatively easy to mobilize retirees on topics that reflect personal financial concerns, such as Social Security and Medicare. In general, however, when political representation requires a large group to make their case, economic insecurity threats are uniquely disadvantaged.

Scrutinizing the foundations of political behavior, American Insecurity offers a new perspective on collective participation.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Americans today face no shortage of threats to their financial well-being, such as job and retirement insecurity, health care costs, and spiraling college tuition. While one might expect that these concerns would motivate people to become more politically engaged on the issues, this often doesn't happen, and the resulting inaction carries consequences for political debates and public policy. Moving beyond previously studied barriers to political organization, American Insecurity sheds light on the public's inaction over economic insecurities by showing that the rhetoric surrounding these issues is actually self-undermining. By their nature, the very arguments intended to mobilize individuals—asking them to devote money or time to politics—remind citizens of their economic fears and personal constraints, leading to undermobilization and nonparticipation.

Adam Seth Levine explains why the set of people who become politically active on financial insecurity issues is therefore quite narrow. When money is needed, only those who care about the issues but are not personally affected become involved. When time is needed, participation is limited to those not personally affected or those who are personally affected but outside of the labor force with time to spare. The latter explains why it is relatively easy to mobilize retirees on topics that reflect personal financial concerns, such as Social Security and Medicare. In general, however, when political representation requires a large group to make their case, economic insecurity threats are uniquely disadvantaged.

Scrutinizing the foundations of political behavior, American Insecurity offers a new perspective on collective participation.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Death and Redemption by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book The Litigation State by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book Social Trends in American Life by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book The Temptation of the Impossible: Victor Hugo and "Les Miserables" by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book Game of Loans by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book Sex and Secularism by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book The Seduction of Culture in German History by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book The Many Deaths of Jew Süss by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book How Big Banks Fail and What to Do about It by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book Bible Nation by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book Dreams of Other Worlds by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book The Struggle for Power in Early Modern Europe by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book Lending to the Borrower from Hell by Adam Seth Levine
Cover of the book Mathematics without Apologies by Adam Seth Levine
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy