What is the best way to educate the masses on political issues?

Question

I read these questions, and they are all so polarized. Rarely does anyone back their claims up with hard information or data. Rarely does anyone step outside of that narrow box of political "views" they hold and look at opposing views. It seems at times like America is playing in the superbowl and the candidates are just sports figures.

How do we educate the majority of half-wits to better be informed on political issues? Or are people too polarized and lazy to put the effort in to actually put the work in to make decisions?

Answer 1

I'm working on that this minute.  It's called "giving back", for  being able to earn an education which did not end with a Bachelor's degree in engineering and a Master's in Business.  You have to keep at it for a lifetime, and it is very satisfying.

Hopefully the old saying that "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" doesn't apply to everyone.

Answer 2

We educate the half-wits by telling them  a 100yr war or even

2 or 3 more years of this war = THE DRAFT  WHO IS ON

THE LIST?

Answer 3

Education Must begin in homes and schools. Unfortunately, many teachers and parents don't know the basics of how our Govt. works. And what I mean by basics is NOT what you get in the average American history or civics class. (Mine was taught by the football coach!)

If they did, people would not be so easily distracted by  dishonest claims by any party or candidate. My daughter didn't have to look up Obamas history to know that he was a true citizen; you can't run for president if your not! Simple. No controversy in our house on that. We debate the issues...respectfully. Respectful debate is the only way to solve problems in Civilization. It can be heated, but it must be respectful, and it must be reasonably educated.

We must also begin requiring real Critical thinking training. I too am tired of opinions being treated as facts. I am tired of opinions that are senseless. I am tired of the loudest person being the one listened to. I am tired of namecalling

.But I have not really answered the question really have I? I have stated what must happen to change things, but I don't really know HOW to get the education to the educators. I suppose we could begin to demand that these disciplines be taught and then make sure they are included in budgets to make them become academic realities.

More importantly, perhaps we should open our mouths more. I am guilty of keeping my mouth closed to limit personal retaliations at school, work and socially. I pledge to open my mouth and write in sites like this more.

  But other than that, I don't know.

Answer 4

A lot of people are too narrow-minded and lazy to do their homework.  They like living in little boxes and having little thoughts.

It would be nice if all voters took the time to research each candidate to decide who was the person best qualified for the job of President of the U.S.   After all folks, politics is more important than a junior high popularity contest.

Answer 5

a lot of these kids that are obamma followers will not discuss the issues the democratic party means nothing to them if their leader doesnt win if thats our future we are doomed=

Answer 6

The great journalist  C.P Scott once said comment is free but the facts are sacred.What he did not acknowldege is that politics is as much a matter of emotion as of logic.To many people in their lives as well as their politics what they feel about xyz is whats important not what xyz means.

Many ruling elites have recognised and used this phenomenon to manipulate the masses to achieve and hang on to power.The Romans political elite if we are to believe popular Roman history invested a lot of time and the people's money in bread and circuses.Without being over cynical that still goes on.

Returning to the present day I heard a Texan woman on Sky this am say (again) "We need a woman in the White House" Now that is emotive not factual.How do you talk someone like that out of that particular voting preference.Contrast that with Margaret Thatcher who was absolutely not voted in (just) because she was (just) a woman.Like her or loathe her people voted for her because of her policies not her gender.

Likewise with Obama emotion I think is a big factor.The guy is very definitely charismatic and his "message" inspires people.Ask the majority of his potential voters what his policies will mean in practice and who knows what kind of responses you well get.Many people who voted for Tony Blair would now if pressed be hard pressed to give you a sensible answer to "What was that all about?".

So to come directly to your question I don't think there is a way "best" or otherwise to "educate the masses".Emotion will always be part of political process and choice.Attempts to "educate" the masses have too often turned into "re-education" campaigns as in Mao's China and Pol Pot's Cambodia.

What would definitely help is better education in the sense of more academic schooling where critical thinking factual analysis are part of the syllabus.These subjects should be taught outside the context of politics or civics classes because on the whole they will be taught with some pre-existing political bias.

Answer 7

I think there are as many self-justified reasons for apathy as there are people.  Best way to educate the masses is C-Span, but then, they'd have to want to be educated.