Why young people don't vote?
I challenge anyone to scan the profiles of persons under the age of 27 years old, the vast majority of Facebook profiles will depict a total disinterest in political parties, views and associations, but let me shed some light as to why young persons choose to remain apathetic especially here in Jamaica.
27 years ago was roughly 1989, which was the year the PNP regained control from the labour party and did not lose power until 2007 when the Bruce Golding led JLP ran an extremely effective campaign on change in Jamaica. The JLP government came upon hard times when the global economic crisis hit in the middle of the term. The PNP opposition capitalized on the state of the economy as well as the Dudus scandal and regained power by a landslide victory in 2011. But with political history aside it is pertinent that main perception of young persons are the political philosophies and political ideologies that they have grown up around.
Politicians in Jamaica for the most part are seen as both negative and paternalistic . In other words it is ask what my country can do for me and not what I can do for my country. Additionally the partisan culture in Jamaica does not facilitate free thinking and the political ideology of democracy relies on strength in numbers and not necessarily strength in substance. So from the perspective of a free thinking millennial it is counterproductive to make a political choice on the issues rather than accepting partisan lines.
Entering a party and the dynamic of party politics in Jamaica depicts an acquiescence(reluctance) on the part of the millennial as the die hearted political animal slowly dies with previous generation.
Being absolutely honest the decision to vote is purely one based on incentives.What additional benefit will I receive if I vote for party X or Y? Because at this point the die hearts decide.
One popular counter to this is if you don't vote you have no say in what happens in your country. But remember this, if the PNP wins they do not form the government for PNP supporters only, they form the government of Jamaica, PNP, JLP and those who don't vote; and everyone has a a much say as the other given our collective constitutional rights.
#CollegeEconomist #FoodforThought #VoterApathy
27 years ago was roughly 1989, which was the year the PNP regained control from the labour party and did not lose power until 2007 when the Bruce Golding led JLP ran an extremely effective campaign on change in Jamaica. The JLP government came upon hard times when the global economic crisis hit in the middle of the term. The PNP opposition capitalized on the state of the economy as well as the Dudus scandal and regained power by a landslide victory in 2011. But with political history aside it is pertinent that main perception of young persons are the political philosophies and political ideologies that they have grown up around.
Politicians in Jamaica for the most part are seen as both negative and paternalistic . In other words it is ask what my country can do for me and not what I can do for my country. Additionally the partisan culture in Jamaica does not facilitate free thinking and the political ideology of democracy relies on strength in numbers and not necessarily strength in substance. So from the perspective of a free thinking millennial it is counterproductive to make a political choice on the issues rather than accepting partisan lines.
Entering a party and the dynamic of party politics in Jamaica depicts an acquiescence(reluctance) on the part of the millennial as the die hearted political animal slowly dies with previous generation.
Being absolutely honest the decision to vote is purely one based on incentives.What additional benefit will I receive if I vote for party X or Y? Because at this point the die hearts decide.
One popular counter to this is if you don't vote you have no say in what happens in your country. But remember this, if the PNP wins they do not form the government for PNP supporters only, they form the government of Jamaica, PNP, JLP and those who don't vote; and everyone has a a much say as the other given our collective constitutional rights.
#CollegeEconomist #FoodforThought #VoterApathy
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