There is a declining interest in traditional politics. Is this healthy?

Nowadays, in many countries, there is a debate on causes and effects of a decrease in active citizenship. It has become a buzzword and politicians often use it to encourage voters to take part in political life. There are many social campaigns trying to change people’s attitude towards voting in the general election. Even though, Polish turnout at elections in 2007 was 13.13% higher than two years earlier, 53.88% does not seem to be a high number. Additionally, there is a decrease in party memberships, which could cause this process to go deeper. Is it healthy that people care less about their own governments or this political disengagement has an opposite and positive effect on the quality of politics?

First of all, people tend to live more actively in recent years. Working longer, traveling more and improving their knowledge they no longer have time to take part in political meetings and debates. In their spare time they prefer being with their families to going to a conference that, in the past, were treated as a leisure activity. Nowadays, people are more keen on widening their interests than devoting their time to people they do not often know personally. A person, who decides to become a politician is often better educated in this area (journalists, consultants, researchers) than his or her predecessor, what makes the government to be more professional and, consequently, more efficient.

Second of all, in a stable political situation people are less dependent on politicians. They are not afraid of wars or other life-threatening situations so they are less likely to worry about politics. Due to recent development in every European country, citizens need less from the government, because their level and quality of life is already higher than ever before. They do not want this to change. What is more, people are often aware, that the basic needs and wants of the society will be met by every political party in power. That is because of centralisation of ideology, both in the right and the left wing.

Moreover, people have become more likely to have a direct influence on their countries or societies, what causes an increase in volunteer and charity activity. They want to have a real impact on each other’s lives, because they have realised that voting in general election in less likely to change something. They have learnt that politicians say many, beautiful things before election, but, very often, are not able to keep their promises after gaining power.

Declining engagement in political life is an undeniable fact. It is a natural process and cannot be stopped. In my opinion, there is no need to worry about it, because people are still active in their social lives. A decreasing interest in traditional politics is caused by a decline in dependence on politicians and a more stable political situation. People want to have a direct influence on their lives and they just tend to leave politics to politicians.

That’s what I think.

MANU

A Polish actor and celebrity, Borys Szyc, encouraging young people to vote in the general election.

"Your vote does matter!"