How to Understand Politics
Learn about all the types of government and how they work., Learn specifically about how your country is run., Find out what rights you are guaranteed and where their limits are., Watch and read political news to find out about current events...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Learn about all the types of government and how they work.
It's important to learn about the governments of other countries, as well as your own, in order to understand how and why your country interacts with others.
Learn the pros and cons of all the governments as well. -
Step 2: Learn specifically about how your country is run.
This goes from national government all the way down to city government.
Voting and lawmaking is also included in this. , In America, for example, people are guaranteed free speech.
However, free speech ends where another person's rights begin.
Threatening to kill someone, for example, is not covered under the freedom of speech.
Learn what your rights are and how you can exercise them. , There will no doubt be issues in the paper and media that are of political nature.
This could include elections, social issues, the economy, other countries, or government-related problems. , Look at how the event came to be, what the effects of the event are, and what people's opinions on the event are.
Research all sides, not just one, and discuss it with your peers in order to gain better insight on it. , Expanding your vocabulary is a good way to understand what politicians are talking about. , If there's something you just can't find out by research, ask someone about the issue and what the background is. , The economy is a hot issue in many countries, and affects your life.
Politicians all have their own ideas and solutions about the economy and the struggles their countries face with it. , There are usually websites that have a record of politicians and what they vote for.
Google their names and see what kind of opinions they have and how they're voting.
This is especially useful for when you begin voting for representative , This is because the government officials often get letters from people whom they do neither represent nor have authority over their issues.
Junk mail (propaganda or advertising) is a waste of time and effort for them as with anyone... , Understand that democracy isn't perfect so there is much more to take into account you you really want to take politics seriously, i.e., if you really want to contribute to change the world.
Read Marx, Rousseau, and so on. -
Step 3: Find out what rights you are guaranteed and where their limits are.
-
Step 4: Watch and read political news to find out about current events.
-
Step 5: Research current events in depth.
-
Step 6: Look up words you don't understand.
-
Step 7: Ask someone that you trust about issues you do not understand.
-
Step 8: Learn about all the different economies as well as the pros/cons of each.
-
Step 9: Look into politicians' backgrounds and political records.
-
Step 10: Write to your representatives or officials but be very sure to give your city
-
Step 11: county
-
Step 12: state and mailing zone/code or they will almost always treat your email or letter as spam or junk mail.
-
Step 13: Try to acquire a better understanding about how power works (not just political
-
Step 14: but also economic).
Detailed Guide
It's important to learn about the governments of other countries, as well as your own, in order to understand how and why your country interacts with others.
Learn the pros and cons of all the governments as well.
This goes from national government all the way down to city government.
Voting and lawmaking is also included in this. , In America, for example, people are guaranteed free speech.
However, free speech ends where another person's rights begin.
Threatening to kill someone, for example, is not covered under the freedom of speech.
Learn what your rights are and how you can exercise them. , There will no doubt be issues in the paper and media that are of political nature.
This could include elections, social issues, the economy, other countries, or government-related problems. , Look at how the event came to be, what the effects of the event are, and what people's opinions on the event are.
Research all sides, not just one, and discuss it with your peers in order to gain better insight on it. , Expanding your vocabulary is a good way to understand what politicians are talking about. , If there's something you just can't find out by research, ask someone about the issue and what the background is. , The economy is a hot issue in many countries, and affects your life.
Politicians all have their own ideas and solutions about the economy and the struggles their countries face with it. , There are usually websites that have a record of politicians and what they vote for.
Google their names and see what kind of opinions they have and how they're voting.
This is especially useful for when you begin voting for representative , This is because the government officials often get letters from people whom they do neither represent nor have authority over their issues.
Junk mail (propaganda or advertising) is a waste of time and effort for them as with anyone... , Understand that democracy isn't perfect so there is much more to take into account you you really want to take politics seriously, i.e., if you really want to contribute to change the world.
Read Marx, Rousseau, and so on.
About the Author
Gloria Ford
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow pet care tutorials.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: