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Which of the three largest U.S. cities do you think has the most politically aware citizenry?
The political awareness criteria are as follows:
- how likely the citizens are to protest; where protesting is most mainstream
- city is active and present in national politics; fundraising, prominent national politicians, etc.
- developer and exporter of political ideas and movements
- high voter turnout rates
- how likely the populations are to follow national politics closely in the media
- how well the citizens understand government structure, legislative process, political developments, etc.
- in general, how passionate the people are about all things politics
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 16,035,535 times
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Politics means a whole bunch in Chicago in a way. But unfortunately, it's known nationally for corrupt politics.
I know New York City is a strong political machine too Nearly any new law that goes up there, I am reading about it the next day whatever city I am in. It's very influential to the national media.
Los Angeles I think carries the traditional Californian policies and magnifies it to the rest of the country.
In a bizzare way, all of them are known nationally for one form of politics to another. I see a lot of people in Downtown Chicago, who politically get involved with this "Oil Spill" disaster and go out of their way protesting and getting signatures for things of that nature.
I know for a fact that things like that are a common practice in New York City too, I ALWAYS read about that, and I don't even live there.
We're talking about three liberal cities, (Chicago being the least).
None of those cities have anything on Washington, I can tell you that.
Yeah but none of those cities employs the government.
I feel like the cities are politically active in different categories. Fore example, people in Los Angeles are likely more passionate and active with all things immigration. Chicagoans might be more proactive with labor politics, etc.
None of these cities are particularly active on the ground level when it comes to politics. San Francisco and the Twin Cities are bigger on this kind of thing.
NYC is a lot of awareness of international politics and not all that much action. Also, most of the natives I've met here are absolutely clueless and apathetic.
None of these cities are particularly active on the ground level when it comes to politics. San Francisco and the Twin Cities are bigger on this kind of thing.
NYC is a lot of awareness of international politics and not all that much action. Also, most of the natives I've met here are absolutely clueless and apathetic.
Los Angeles is apathetic all around.
Can't really comment on Chicago.
I basically agree with Oy here. When I lived in Queens and Brooklyn, most people I knew had really no idea about local politics. They could name everyone on their baseball or basketball team but did not know who the Borough President was. Most people blindly vote to elect the same politicians year after year. This is because they "heard of them" so they must be doing a good job!
The exception are certain executive branch politicians like Mayor or Governor. At least people pay some attention to these politicians.
I cannot comment on LA or Chicago but my guess they are probably similar to NYC.
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 16,035,535 times
Reputation: 4047
Quote:
Originally Posted by LINative
I basically agree with Oy here. When I lived in Queens and Brooklyn, most people I knew had really no idea about local politics. They could name everyone on their baseball or basketball team but did not know who the Borough President was. Most people blindly vote to elect the same politicians year after year. This is because they "heard of them" so they must be doing a good job!
The exception are certain executive branch politicians like Mayor or Governor. At least people pay some attention to these politicians.
I cannot comment on LA or Chicago but my guess they are probably similar to NYC.
Mayor Daly has been in office for 20 years around.
It's ridiculous how people vote based off peer connections and their "fad" for a party rather than a logical choice candidate.
Politically the voters in our cities are the cause of blame, we put these "big egos" in office, but also refuse to vote them out when time comes to make positive changes.
Politically our cities are uneducated on responsibility, IMHO.
None of these cities are particularly active on the ground level when it comes to politics. San Francisco and the Twin Cities are bigger on this kind of thing.
NYC is a lot of awareness of international politics and not all that much action. Also, most of the natives I've met here are absolutely clueless and apathetic.
Los Angeles is apathetic all around.
Can't really comment on Chicago.
I would add Portland and Seattle to your list of cities that have a strong grass-roots political activism culture.
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