The National Conference on Citizenship issues its 2007 Civic Health Index tomorrow. The report (because the 2007 national survey was Internet-based) is not strictly comparable with other prior surveys, but the polling data (supplemented by other polls that were done over this period with consistent methodology) suggests that America’s civic health has deteriorated over the last several years.
They summarize: “Our new report digs below the surface and finds:
“1. 36 million Americans who form our civic core: they are well informed, attend public meetings, work together on community problems, are leaders in clubs and associations, attend religious services, and vote and volunteer. There are largely representative by race, ethnicity and political ideology of the population as a whole and represent a group larger than California, Canada or the populations of 21 states. We want to draw attention to them because they are our civic core and it may be possible to increase their numbers;
“2. More Americans want more opportunities to serve: forty three percent of Americans say they would be more involved in their communities if there were more opportunities; 80 percent say it is important for government agencies to give citizens voice; and 53 percent choose as the best way to solve problems a collaboration among citizens, non-profits and government; citizens clearly want to lead the way in defining and addressing problems; and
“3. The Millennials – those born after 1975 and numbering around 66 million – are emerging as a strong civic force, voting at higher rates than their predecessors, Generation X, and volunteering at high rates. They feel they have the fewest opportunities for civic engagement and express the most demand for it.”
[Note: full disclosure -- I was part of the National Advisory Panel working with them to interpret the findings. Also, I'm a bit more skeptical about their second point since in our polling, in the 2000 Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, respondents are quick to find justifying reasons for why they aren't more engaged -- not enough time, inadequate transportation, not aware of opportunities to get engaged, etc. But whether this expressed "guilt" can be translated into people that will nonetheless find time (taken out of leisure or TV watching or...) to do so, is a much less certain proposition. We could be getting 'cheap talk.]
Look for the report tomorrow (10/4/07) here.
Thanks for the good summary. I’ve seen similar figures in other studies suggesting roughly 1/2 of the population would like to be more involved, and wondered if the figure is inflated. Our work at SCI suggest at least a good portion of them, though, are sincere and will participate more given the right opportunity at the right time, etc.
Democracy 2.0 Declaration – Mobilize.org
On Thursday, October 4th, 2007, 50 youth leaders worked together at the Democracy 2.0 Summit in Washington D.C. The Summit, a national movement instituted by Mobilize.org, is a way to bring attention to the ideas that America’s youth has to offer. Democracy 2.0 is designed to address the civic participation needs and interests of the Millennial Generation (targeting the 16-30 age group).
Mobilize.org has worked for the past year to survey young people about what they feel is an issue in both their own community and on a national level. This consensus among the youth of America has been addressed during the Summit in order to produce the Democracy 2.0 Declaration. This declaration represents what the youth believes is working and is not working in the current democracy of the U.S.
The declaration serves as a foundation for political candidates to understand what the youth of America feels strongly about. The Declaration will be shared with 435 youth representatives at Mobilize.org’s Party for the Presidency, an event in Hollywood, CA that will take place December 29-31.
Democracy 2.0 was launched to upgrade and renew our political process in America by providing guidelines for positive social change that take advantage of both the tremendous passion of today’s youth leaders and the powerful social networking and technology tools they are using to create communities.
Mobilize.org is here to listen and help instigate change within the youth of America. You can get involved by going to http://www.mobilize.org for more information.