Civic Engagement and National Belonging.

The author discusses two ways in which political participation and civic involvement can be fostered. The first approach deals with the ways in which local communities can foster political activity, and the history of problems inherent in such an approach. The author feels that fostering political action at the local level is a more modern approach to political science. The second approach deals with ideas to foster a sense nationalism. A discussion of the history of political participation in the United States is also presented.