ABSTRACT
This chapter examines age patterns of political participation over time in a variety of forms. The examination of the forest of political participation leaves a different overall impression than simply looking at turnout rates. The ranking of the United States on many non-electoral forms of political participation is far higher than one might expect from its relatively low voter turnout rate. According to the recent Comparative Study of Electoral Systems, the United States had the highest level of citizens who had worked together with people to express their political views, and ranked 4th out of 18 on contacting public officials. Similarly, the 2004 International Social Survey Program found that U.S. respondents were the most likely to say people actively participated in a political party. Zukin et al argues that there is much potential for civic engagement to be linked to political engagement.
