Theories of Democratic Participation

Theories of democratic participation explore why and how citizens get involved in politics. Some suggest participation is motivated by civic duty and a sense of responsibility to influence government. Others argue it's driven by personal interest or benefit, like voting to improve one's community. Some theories focus on social networks and education, which help people decide to engage. Overall, these ideas aim to understand what encourages citizens to take part in democratic processes, recognizing that participation varies based on individual motivations, social factors, and political systems.