the level of pessimism decreased only slightly (39% to 26%) after the forum. In addition, when asked whether conversations about American politics leave them feeling hopeful, the numbers remained almost exactly the same (42% answered or disagree” in the pre-survey, 44% in the “disagree” “strongly first post-survey, and 50% in the second post-survey). In the second post-survey, their level of pessimism rose back to the pre-survey level at 38%. In trying to tap into the concept of we asked two questions one with regard to the – design of the American political system and one with regard to the functionality. With both questions – and both before and after the deliberative forum about half of students expressed pride in the system. – We asked a question about the design of the political system (“I feel proud of the design of the structures and institutions in the American political system”) and before the forum, 16% of students answered agree” and 37% answered After the forum (in the first post-survey), 6% “strongly “agree.” answered agree” and 44% answered In the second post-survey, 0% answered “strongly “agree.” agree” and 50% answered Before the forum, 21% of students answered or “strongly “agree”. “disagree” disagree” to the same question, and after the forum (in the first post-survey), 31% answered “strongly or disagree.” In the second post-survey, 38% answered or “disagree” “strongly “disagree” “strongly disagree.” Students also lacked pride and perhaps even more so in the functionality of the political and – – this lack of pride worsened after the forum. Table 3 reports these findings.
the level of pessimism decreased only slightly (39% to 26%) after the forum. In addition, when asked whether conversations about American politics leave them feeling hopeful, the numbers remained almost exactly the same (42% answered “disagree” or “strongly disagree” in the pre-survey, 44% in the first post-survey, and 50% in the second post-survey). In the second post-survey, their level of pessimism rose back to the pre-survey level at 38%. In trying to tap into the concept of we asked two questions – one with regard to the design of the American political system and one with regard to the functionality. With both questions – and both before and after the deliberative forum – about half of students expressed pride in the system. We asked a question about the design of the political system (“I feel proud of the design of the structures and institutions in the American political system”) and before the forum, 16% of students answered “strongly agree” and 37% answered “agree.” After the forum (in the first post-survey), 6% answered “strongly agree” and 44% answered “agree.” In the second post-survey, 0% answered “strongly agree” and 50% answered “agree”. Before the forum, 21% of students answered “disagree” or “strongly disagree” to the same question, and after the forum (in the first post-survey), 31% answered “disagree” or “strongly disagree.” In the second post-survey, 38% answered “disagree” or “strongly disagree.” Students also lacked pride – and perhaps even more so – in the functionality of the political and this lack of pride worsened after the forum. Table 3 reports these findings.
Rethinking%20Apathy%20Final%20Paper%20WPSA16.docx