Apathy is nothing new to U.S. politics
By JOHN LOVEKIN
Apathy in a political sense is nothing new in the United States. Although the American Revolution was fought for representative government, many Americans did not vote after the revolution.
"For example, take Massachusetts, during the last decade of the 18th century," said Stitt W. Robinson, professor of history. "Only a small per cent of the population could vote because of the requirement of owning property. But even then, of those who were eligible to vote only a small per cent did."
There are many other forms of apathy, Robinson said, "as in religion where there is a lack of active interest from the church members.
"BUT AS A historian, I think of apathy mainly in regard to the failure of exercising the right to
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vote. This has occurred frequently in American history, right up to the present, where only 60 per cent of the eligible voters vote," he said.
Another example of voting apathy was right before the Civil War.
"Before 1860 there was much intense feeling in the country, but there was a lack of clarity in regard to what the issues actually meant." Robinson said.
Probably the main cause of voting apathy, he said, is the lack of sharp controversy inherent in the democratic system.
"Usually the people do not get excited about the issues," he said.
"ALSO THE people have a great deal of confidence in the democratic system and its leaders. It is only in the controlled nations where 90 to 100 per cent of the voters vote. So I doubt that there needs to be too much concern about the voting behavior in the United States."
Robinson added that if by some means a group was able to infiltrate a political party and control it, "the American public would cease to be apathetic about voting."
While apathy continues in the United States, one KU student believes there needs to be some alarm and concern about it.
SITTING BEHIND a table with buttons for sale, saying such things as "We shall overkill" and "Draft beer not boys," Tom Kellogg, Wichita junior and a member of the Student Peace Union, said, "Apathy may eventually lead to giving up our freedom, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
"As an example." Kellogg said, "there will probably be a debate in a congress in a few years about permitting the F.B.I. to have fles on everyone. After the debate this will probably become law."
Students seem more concerned about football games and dances, he said, then they do about Vietnam. Africa, or even Communism.
"They should form opinions and get some ideas on a position," he said. "You just can't talk about politics—you have to argue about it. This is the only way people can find out what someone else is really thinking.
"After awhile there develops an openness to other kinds of political thought than your own, and you also become aware that there are political differences," said Kellogg.
ceases to be a tool for the individual. Instead, the individual becomes a tool of politics of a small group of people.
"The trouble is that the only interest people show in politics are in those things that seem to affect their own immediate private lives."
The main cause of apathy, he said, is our educational system. "Education does not prepare students for thinking; instead all of its efforts are directed on what, not why.
KELLOGG ADDED. "Man is a political animal because of living in a society. And unless he takes an active interest in political events and thoughts, politics
"This apathy towards organizations will lead to an eventual 1984."
"Of course they are wrong, at least to me, but they are defining the social order, which is better than doing nothing.
MINUTEMEN, BIRCHERS, and communists, Kellogg said, are doing something about apathy.
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"The important thing about apathy is that it permits a trend to establish itself, and by then it may be too late to do anything
"THIS IS NOT to say people are not worried about nuclear bombs or Vietnam, but that the solutions are so complex that it is much easier to watch the Super Bowl."
"When only 60 per cent of the voters turn out for the polls," he said, "this means the majority of the people are satisfied with the current situation, and are not worried or alarmed about the future.
about it, even if all the people cease to be apathetic. In a political democracy, we have the opportunity to change a trend before it becomes too late."
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Some people worry about apathy on a social level, others do not, but that does not mean they are apathetic towards apathy.
"I'm probably not as concerned as others," said Clifford Ketzel, professor of political science.
Ketzel added, "Also people spend most of their time working for a living which requires a good part of their time and
Continued from page 1 led the government on the mainland very finally ever since the Communist Chinese conquered the China mainland. Now they think it may not actually be that way.
Taiwan-
"USUALLY WHEN PEOPLE are controlled strongly they are afraid to say things against this control. The rebellion of the people even under this control shows that they really don't like the Communist system of living. That is why." Kao said, "the people of Taiwan think there might be a chance to reconquer the mainland.
"Many of our people feel that Mao has the power—maybe there has been some changes in the last 17 years. I can't really say for sure," he said.
Kao, who received his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Tunghai University, Taiwan, said the present military system of Taiwan has been in effect for approximately 15 years. Originally the student was required to spend two years in the service after graduation,
but about seven years ago this was changed to the present policy of one year of training while in school and one year of duty after graduation.
ANOTHER TAIWAN GRADUATE student, Shih Pei "Spencer" Hu, vice-president of KU's Chinese Student Association, agree that his government has the full right to recall Taiwan students studying abroad.
However, he believes the present situation "won't be that urgent to call us back. Each year about six thousand students graduate who must go into the military. This is a full supply of men for the military at present," he said.
Hu said the present policy of the Nationalist Chinese government is to coerce the people of mainland China to revolt against the Communist rule.
"Our mission is to try to make them be against their government. I think we have a well organized group on mainland China and Taiwan conducting this effort," he said.
be getting out of hand.
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"On the national and international level, people probably feel too small to do anything about the problems," Ketzel said.
thoughts, and what time is left is used for relaxing."
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But the people in general are not the only ones who show apathy, he said. "Adam Clayton Powell is a good example of apathy on the part of congress, although there are probably other reasons besides indifference why Congress took so long to become aware of Powell.
or
"AS FAR AS apathy staying with the voters, I think the recent elections in Kansas City (Mo.) would demonstrate what the voters do when something seems to
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"Another reason could be that many people do not think there is much of a choice between the two political parties. Generally there is no real issue, and when there is, one of the political parties will incorporate the ideas of a possible third party, thereby keeping any issue under control.
"If there was an issue or many
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RUGGED ROMANTIC . . .
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