Running from Office

Why Young Americans are Turned Off to Politics

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Civics, Politics, Practical Politics
Cover of the book Running from Office by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox ISBN: 9780199397679
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: April 8, 2015
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
ISBN: 9780199397679
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: April 8, 2015
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

The past two decades of politics in Washington have seen increased partisanship, prolonged stalemates, and numerous scandals. For today's teenagers and young adults, years of ineffective and inefficient political leadership have completely eroded any sense that politicians or government have the ability to do good or effect positive change. Worse, the mean-spirited, dysfunctional political system that has come to characterize American politics has turned young people off to the idea of running for office. With more than 500,000 elected positions in the United States, what will happen when this generation is expected to take the reins of political power? Through an original, national survey of more than 4,000 high school and college students, as well as more than 100 in-depth interviews, Jennifer L. Lawless and Richard L. Fox find that young Americans feel completely alienated from contemporary politics and express little ambition or aspiration to run for office in the future. The overwhelming majority see nothing particularly noble about those currently in office, viewing most as dishonest, self-interested, and disinterested in helping their constituents. These young people want to improve their communities and enact change in the world; but they don't think politics is the way to achieve these goals. In fact, they look disdainfully upon the prospects of growing up to be a mayor, governor, senator, or even president of the United States. Running from Office explores young people's opinions about contemporary politics and their political ambition (or lack of it). The book paints a political profile of the next generation that should sound alarm bells about the long-term, deeply embedded damage contemporary politics has wrought on U.S. democracy and its youngest citizens. As disheartening as their conclusions sound, Lawless and Fox end with practical suggestions for how new technologies, national service programs, and well-strategized public service campaigns could generate political ambition in young people. Today's high school and college students care deeply about improving the future, and it's not too late to ensure that they view running for office as an effective way to do so.

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

The past two decades of politics in Washington have seen increased partisanship, prolonged stalemates, and numerous scandals. For today's teenagers and young adults, years of ineffective and inefficient political leadership have completely eroded any sense that politicians or government have the ability to do good or effect positive change. Worse, the mean-spirited, dysfunctional political system that has come to characterize American politics has turned young people off to the idea of running for office. With more than 500,000 elected positions in the United States, what will happen when this generation is expected to take the reins of political power? Through an original, national survey of more than 4,000 high school and college students, as well as more than 100 in-depth interviews, Jennifer L. Lawless and Richard L. Fox find that young Americans feel completely alienated from contemporary politics and express little ambition or aspiration to run for office in the future. The overwhelming majority see nothing particularly noble about those currently in office, viewing most as dishonest, self-interested, and disinterested in helping their constituents. These young people want to improve their communities and enact change in the world; but they don't think politics is the way to achieve these goals. In fact, they look disdainfully upon the prospects of growing up to be a mayor, governor, senator, or even president of the United States. Running from Office explores young people's opinions about contemporary politics and their political ambition (or lack of it). The book paints a political profile of the next generation that should sound alarm bells about the long-term, deeply embedded damage contemporary politics has wrought on U.S. democracy and its youngest citizens. As disheartening as their conclusions sound, Lawless and Fox end with practical suggestions for how new technologies, national service programs, and well-strategized public service campaigns could generate political ambition in young people. Today's high school and college students care deeply about improving the future, and it's not too late to ensure that they view running for office as an effective way to do so.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book There's No Such Thing As Free Speech by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Islam in Indonesia by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Red Roses Starter Level Oxford Bookworms Library by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Five Children and It Level 2 Oxford Bookworms Library by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Quality Peace by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book The Complete Euripides by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book The Christian Century and the Rise of the Protestant Mainline by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Wandering in the Gardens of the Mind by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Freedom Riders by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Multiracial Identity and Racial Politics in the United States by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Bioethics by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Complicit Sisters by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Human Rights: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Making a Living, Making a Difference by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
Cover of the book Gulag Boss by Jennifer L. Lawless, Richard L. Fox
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