Interest in Politics

POLITICAL INTEREST, A feeling of curiosity and attraction about the political world beyond an obligation or civic duty, is a major attitudinal aspect of civic engagement. Interest in politics generally involves a concern with the current state of affairs in government, campaigns, and elections.

A person interested in politics is often motivated to engage in political activities that can range from simple political discussions, to becoming an active member of a political organization. Generally, more educated, affluent, and older people display the highest levels of political interest.

Historically, whites and males have had greater access to educational, political, and socioeconomic resources than females and minority groups, and have reported higher levels of political interest. Research has demonstrated that parental political involvement also promotes interest in politics.

Interest in politics often results in a higher level of exposure to political information, political debate, and political analysis. Consequently, people who are highly interested in politics are more likely to become familiar with political issues, have more consistent policy stances, and are more likely to express informed opinion on a given issue of public affairs. Moreover, politically involved people often become less susceptible to political and media manipulation. They are more likely to think in ideological terms and develop a strong party identification. Most importantly, the link between the level of interest in politics and the level of political participation is a well-established phenomenon. Specifically, higher political interest fosters enhanced turnout.

Despite the fact that a high level of interest in politics can exert a positive influence on the democratic process, the level of interest in politics has been generally low in the United States. Politics are often perceived as complex, ambiguous, and far removed from people's everyday lives. Some people believe they have no control over politics. Moreover, a person's social environment includes several other areas besides politics (such as family, occupation, religion, and personal hobbies) that compete for emotional and cognitive energy. That said, only a small fraction of political activists show an intense commitment to politics.

Early political socialization has a profound impact on a person's level of interest in politics. Children growing up in families in which political matters receive substantial and sustained attention, habitually internalize the belief that political activity is important and acquire social skills that facilitate engagement in politics. There is also a strong interdependence between the range of knowledge about the political system (political sophistication) and the attention devoted to politics.

Sociodemographic characteristics (such as age, education, race, gender, income, occupation, marital status, and religion) can lead to different political interests. Factors such as continued structural disadvantages, or the legacy of past exclusion from politics depress levels of interest and knowledge for members of certain groups, which partly explain gender and racial differences in political interest. For instance, women and minority groups have been traditionally less politically engaged compared to white males. Interest in politics increases as people grow older. One possible reason is that non-political concerns, such as obtaining an education, finding a spouse, and establishing a career, have [Page 325]primacy over political interest for young adults. In comparison, middle-aged people are likely to display stronger political party and community attachments, greater participation in political and civic organizations, and have more political experience, skills, and knowledge. Having a politically active spouse and a growing family income also tends to enhance interest in politics.

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