You must post three responses (200+ words minimum for each post) for this discussion board. In the discussions students create a single post on the selected topics (200+ words) and respond to two classmates (200+ words each) for a total of three posts. Please see the syllabus for additional information on the requirements for discussion forums.
Read Chapters 6, 7, 8 & 9
How Social Media Is Ruining Politics
Social Media Are Ruining Political Discourse
After completing the background reading, engage in a discussion that provides your informed opinion on the topic. Make sure to include citations in APA format to your questions/responses to help your classmates develop a deeper understanding of the topic.
ENV.current_user_fullname, on the topic of Public Opinion and The Media – You must cover three of these questions in your original post.
Since the advent of polling, political scientists have found that Americans don’t know much about the details of political issues or even the names of many leading politicians. Education is one distinguishing factor that separates the politically sophisticated from the unsophisticated, but, since education levels have increased over the last half-century, why hasn’t Americans’ knowledge of politics increased? How does democracy survive given such low levels of political knowledge among Americans over time?
Can democracy be sustained when so few people are involved in the political system? Voter turnout in a local election can run less than 10 percent, yet local governments are the ones that affect people more closely daily. Why do more people not vote in America? Explain.
The role of public opinion influences how we view and make our political decision based on media, family, education, religion, race, etc. Please comment on any of those elements and how did it influence your political decision.
Can the average American trust the media, given the amount of “fake news” that is placed on social media, I often wonder if we have a fair chance to understand the candidates and the political process. I will love to hear your comments.
