Politics: How To Get Involved When It’s All So Daunting
Duke political scientist Allison Anoll has some advice for those of us interested in becoming politically active
And the easiest entry point is at the local level, where policymakers are most accessible and impact is often most obvious, measurable and profound, Anoll says. School boards, town halls and municipal meetings are places to start.
Anoll says political engagement tends to change as people grow and mature. Parents of young children, for example, often have less time to devote to a cause than their retired parents do.
But in all cases, it’s critical to be open-minded and willing to hear viewpoints you may not agree with.
“Are you willing to be convinced?” she asks her students. “Are you open to learning something new, or taking information that violates your priors?” You won’t have meaningful engagement without that commitment, she adds.
Anoll also addresses a popular skepticism many have about politics. “How can I make a difference?”
Your political action may not lead to change initially; it may be frustrating or even seem hopeless. But there are often long timelines. And she cites research showing that successful political movements tend to be group efforts, not individual ones.
“Political participation isn’t about doing everything,” Anoll says. “It’s about being part of something and understanding that even small acts, over time, are helping to shape the world we share.”
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