How do individuals and groups of people influence the political process?

People have the vote which I think is the most simple example of how people can influence the political process and work with their politicians.

Beyond the vote; ideally, politicians listen to the people about what they want from their government. Unfortunately, these days it seems that groups of individuals who have the most money seem to have the loudest voice in our government. I feel that many have found it quite possible to influence the political process by using their check books.

Aside from voting and spending, people also have the ability to protest and petition. These two resources I feel are very helpful in communication the message of large groups of people effectively. Though they may sometimes serve dually as disturbances as well, no matter what side they are on, they make a point.

I think that it is a very interesting time to be talking about all of this, especially with all of the political un-rest that is occurring all around us. From the troubles in Egypt to Libya, to even Wisconsin we need think about how individuals and groups of individuals influence the political process.

We can look at how much influence the people of Egypt had in their political process. Ultimately, the leader stepped down changing the future of the country forever. This group of individuals stood together to influence the political process, and to create the changes that they wanted to see in their government.


Looking at even a more local level, we can analyze the trouble in Wisconsin. Not only is the power of the individuals evident through the protests, the petitions, and the conversation that is occurring across the nation in response; but the power of the individual is also evident through the Koch family's involvement in this process. They were able to contribute enough money to the campaign to get Tea Party representative Scott Walker elected to office. They used their individual power to ultimately influence the way government operated in Wisconsin, starting with the freedom of the unions within the state. Individuals within the Wisconsin government planned a vote in the middle of the night, not even given most of the democrats an opportunity to vote. Talk about individuals influencing the political process!

The situation in Wisconsin is an excellent example of how individuals and groups of individuals have the power to influence our political process.