political apathy
Voter turnout's enemy
Political apathy is indifference toward political participation—voting, following news, engaging in civic life.
It may stem from disillusionment, a sense that one's vote doesn't matter, or satisfaction with the status quo.
Political apathy among young voters concerned the campaign.
The term often carries implicit criticism, suggesting citizens have a duty to engage.
Refusal to be involved
- abstentionFormal refusal to vote
- low turnoutScant participation rate
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
disconnection · noninvolvement · inaction · unresponsiveness · demotivation · disaffection · tuning out · staying home
Absence of worry
- complacencyUncritical satisfaction with oneself
- disinterestAbsence of bias
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- bystanderOne who observes nearby
dispassion · shrugging · ennui · listlessness · torpor · neglect · inertia · lethargy
Bitter loss of faith
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- pessimismExpecting unfavorable outcomes
- disenchantmentLoss of cherished belief
jadedness · mistrust · alienation · contempt · defeatism · bitterness · scorn · disbelief
Tactics discouraging ballot access
- disenfranchisementRemoval of voting rights
- legitimacy crisisDoubt in rightful rule
- powerlessnessInability to affect outcomes
- voicelessnessLack of spoken sound
marginalization · rigged elections · futility · hopelessness · why bother
nonparticipation
Refusal to be involved
- abstentionFormal refusal to vote
- low turnoutScant participation rate
- withdrawalAct of taking away
detachment · disconnection · noninvolvement · inaction · unresponsiveness · demotivation · disaffection · tuning out · staying home · boycott
unconcern
Absence of worry
- complacencyUncritical satisfaction with oneself
- disinterestAbsence of bias
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
bystander · dispassion · shrugging · ennui · listlessness · torpor · neglect · inertia · lethargy · passivity
disillusionment
Bitter loss of faith
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- pessimismExpecting unfavorable outcomes
disenchantment · jadedness · mistrust · alienation · contempt · defeatism · bitterness · scorn · disbelief · anomie
voter suppression
Tactics discouraging ballot access
- disenfranchisementRemoval of voting rights
- legitimacy crisisDoubt in rightful rule
- powerlessnessInability to affect outcomes
voicelessness · marginalization · rigged elections · futility · hopelessness · why bother
- political apathynonvoting, non-voting, low turnout, abstention, disengagement
political apathypolitical activism
Efforts to influence policy
civic engagement · political participation · political involvement · grassroots organizing · voter turnout
political apathypartisanship
Loyalty to one faction
political awareness · zealotry · political radicalism · political engagement · outrage
political apathycivic duty
Obligation owed to community
civic responsibility · civic-mindedness · political consciousness · civic virtue · democratic participation
policy, politics, political, apathetic, politician, apathy, policies, politically, politicians