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The Service Politics Institute
A New Vision for Political Action
The Problem: A Growing Gap Between Young People and Politics:
Recent years have seen extraordinary efforts aimed at increasing youth civic participation, particularly in the area of voting. Yet voter turnout among America’s youthcontinues to be among the lowest of all age groups. This reflects a general disinterest of young people toward the national political system. Only 23% of youth view volunteeringfor a national cause as important. But over twice as many believe that volunteering for alocal cause is important
Young people today participate in community service atmuch higher rates than they vote.
Many experts suggest that part of the reason for this disparity is widespreaddisenchant with the government among young people. Only half of young adults believethe government and elections can address their concerns, and less than half believe that political leaders can address their concerns.
In fact,
youth are more far more likely toexpress their political voices by boycotting than by voting.
This presents a real opportunity to reach out to young people and show them that
the political process can be meaningful.
Creating obvious linkages between the kindsof service that young people respond to (local, community-based, concrete, hands-on)and the kind of broader civic engagement necessary for a healthy democracy (engaging innational political dialogue, voting, participating in policy-making and advocacy), can bring youth back into the fold of broader civic engagement. Young people see problemsin the world, and they believe these problems can get better. Institutions that hope toengage young people in the political process must make overtures that feel genuine,accomplish something concrete, create space for open and honest dialogue about policyand political issues, and provide a mechanism to make change happen in the politicalsector.
The Concept: Service Politics
Service politics works to connect individual acts of service to a 'broader framework of social change.' The crucial part of service politics is that participants seek to impact a 'circle of influence' by raising awareness about the issue that their serviceaddresses. Without this critical piece, 'service' cannot become 'service politics.'
Service
1
“The Political and Civic Engagement of Young Adults in America,” Center for Information and Researchon Civic Learning and Engagement, March, 2002
2
“The Civic and Political Health of the Nation: A Generational Portrait,” The Pew Research center for thePeople and the Press, September, 2002
3
“The Political and Civic Engagement of Young Adults in America,” Center for Information and Researchon Civic Learning and Engagement, March, 2002
4
“The Civic and Political Health of the Nation: A Generational Portrait,” The Pew Research center for thePeople and the Press, September, 2002
©2007 Service Politics Institute
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