How do I become more knowledgeable about politics?

I аm 16 years ancient аnd I don’t know thе first thing аbουt politics. Whenever I read thе newspaper οr watch thе news аnd thеу′re talking аbουt politics, I hаνе nο clue whаt thеу′re talking аbουt. Bυt, I WANT TO know whаt thеу′re talking аbουt, bυt I don’t know whеrе tο initiation аnd I want tο bе аblе tο hаνе аn intelligent conversation wіth someone аbουt politics іn thе future. Hοw dο mοѕt people become knowledgeable аbουt politics? Dο уου rесkοn іf I read thе newspaper everyday, іt wουld initiation tο click? Anу suggestions/information wουld bе greatly appreciated.

36 Responses to “How do I become more knowledgeable about politics?”

  • Liberals go away! says:

    First of all, I applaud your interest in politics. I wish more people your age want to learn about it. Even though I’m a republican, this pledge is honest and without bias. Initiation watching FoxNews in the evening, that’s how I got hooked on politics. It’s the only news source that has both sides to an arguement, and allows you to make up your own mind. Liberals curse them for being “honest and balanced” for some reason. If you initiation conception the paper and watching network news, make sure you bump even a small FoxNews. I suggest the O’Reily Factor, he’s very honest and I reckon you’d like him. Excellent luck.

  • lip11 says:

    Very excellent question, and you sound sincere. First, read George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal farm. They are small reads, but the political wisdom is priceless.

    Then don’t take note to the media or the government. Unfortunately these days, the gov’t just gives the tales and the language to the media to publish. In effect, the media has become a propaganda arm of the gov’t.

    Know motives, not tales. See who benefits when things happen. Is it you? Probably not. See who contributes the most money to who. One of the best indicators is who is paying who to do what, and unfortunatley, they try to keep this secret.

    There are always 2 aspects to most political events: the hidden motive where someone profits or gains more power, and the lie fed to the public to keep them obedient.

    Do not take note to terms – know the actions and their consequences. Politicians are practiced liars, and they are very very, excellent. That’s why some actors become politicians.

    Always seek independent confirmation of a tale when possible.
    Persons in power want to keep it that way: with them in power and you an obedient, hard working plebe.

    This is a initiation anyways. Email me at lip11@yahoo.com if you want more correspondence.

  • rosi l says:

    This is the incorrect forum for you. Educate yourself. Fantastic thing to do if you are close enough is go to your state capitol and visit the house and senate while in session. Just watch and take note. Read, but not just the newspaper, books also. So you are ready to form an intelligent opinion read both sides of the issues not just left or aptly, the same with books, both sides. Talk to adult family members and acquaintances , get their opinions (but keep an open mind), remember you want to study issues, not be told what your opinion should be. You can call Legislative Reference at the state and I believe federal level and question for a copy of the different bills, they are sometimes hard to know , but give it a try. Choose a cause that you are interested in your community and get involved, if there are any public hearings go, take note and take notes if it helps. Be careful with the Internet, so many of the web sites are slated one way or the other, remember allot of what you see is individual opinion and not necessarily fact. Hope some of this helps. Exercise caution if someone offers help but is very negative about one side or the other, remember you are just starting and in fairness to you, no one should
    try to “convert” you, just give you thoughts.

  • JFra472449 says:

    Read the paper, watch c-span, take note to talk radio, go to local government meetings, watch news networks, and talk to the older crowd (make sure it is the smart older crowd, age does not alway make wisdom). There are always local political groups that you can also attend. Also take history classes, understanding why certain policies are in place will help you a lot and meaningful what has happened in the past can give insight to what can happen in the future.

    Politics is an ancient profession and there is a lot to learn. There are many different ideologies that come into play as well. The largest thing about politics is getting information. A lot of times what you will hear is filtered and it might take a while to inform yourself on a certain issue.

    At your age, take time to learn what the issues are and why groups reckon the way they do. You will be tempted to jump on the first thing that comes along but untill you look for both sides of the arguement, it is hard to make an knowledgeable choice on which coarse is best for you.

  • Neddie says:

    Ann Coulters Books will teach you how to HATE, and you will find out about the Conservatives, REPUBLICANS (GOP) and how they reckon Liberals (DEMOCRATS) despise America more than Islamic Terrorists do.

  • houseswife says:

    First of all bravo to you for taking an interest because after all it is your future we are talking about. My best information to you would be to watch C-Span and especially their program Washington Journal. You will definately get both sides of the issue and you can also see the government at work. Reckon for yourself and form your own opinions. Don’t let anyone bully you into agreeing with them, trust your gut. And as an earlier answerer said stay on the money and see who has the most to gain.

  • James says:

    um.. watch CNN all day long it works!!!!!!!!

  • allen3_99 says:

    Study your political knowledge textbooks and read like your life depended on it.

  • hirsute says:

    Make sure you know the questions they are trying to “pledge,” and take note to a wide range of answers. Compare them and choose which ones make sense. Two or three months later, see if you still have that opinion. Have the courage to change your mind.

  • jobber says:

    Excellent luck to you …. Now take note to my tale… There are a lot of dogs are dying in Iraq bec of the casualties ofwar no one cares about them. My dog was killed by American soldiers just fot the fun of it. …..please ….martha I like you

  • cassieopia75 says:

    Check out a website called politics1. Lots of fantastic resources, there. By the way, I agree with the 1st person who responded to this…it is fantastic that you have an interest in politics. More people should have an interest in it at your age. It can lead to some positive changes someday when you can vote and have your say.

  • Thomas Hoey says:

    Best question of the day.
    Read, then read some more. Read lots of history books and biogrophies of politicians. Read the NY Times every Sunday for the rest of your life.
    Watch the History and Discovery channels (take everything with a grain of salt)

  • mikemadie says:

    Continue watching the news, conception the paper, paying attention in school and most of all, don’t be worried to question questions. There is no dumb questions, only dumb answers (which you will get a lot of on here).

    Vote Republican (always)

  • acmeraven says:

    Knowledgeable, politics and intelligence are three terms that don’t mix. Spend your time on something more useful; like rearranging your sock drawer.

  • miccoreleon says:

    read books

  • Neil Hippie says:

    Read newspapers from all sides of the political spectrum, watch political discussions on CNN, BBC World, to get a broad insight of what is happening. Warning: don’t watch too much FOX. (only bimbos and bigots there) And then take EVERYTHING they say with a pinch of salt. Most vital: don’t be worried to form your OWN opinion.

  • summerbreeze0908 says:

    Since your 16 maybe there is a government class availible at your school Take it! When you watch the news be sure to get a excellent mix of all the channels because some **cough** FOXNEWS **cough** are very one sided. you should also read a variety of newspapers instead of just one for the same reason as watching more that one news channel. Also certain “news” shows like Nacy Grace (the most biased conservative female alive)shouldn’t necessarily be taken seriously. While there is some excellent information on persons shows you generally have to wade through a lot of BS to get to it. Don’t trust websites that don’t end in .gov or .edu because anyone can post material on the web and a lot of it isn’t accurate.

  • weelittlediggerboy says:

    Read 1812 it is about the war and a fantastic read really I listened to it and I don’t remember the author’s name. After listening to it I became very interested in early politics Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Jackson. Then watch the Day after day Show With John Stewart and The Cobert Report on comedy central. You are to young and gullible for Fox News. The Day after day Show will keep politics fun and appealing. If you have the time take note to Rush Limbaugh for the other side of the issues if you can get over is arrogance and drug dependency he is entertaining.

  • richard m says:

    one newspaper, one source, one point of view! one news network, one source, one point of view! that will get you started. if you truly want to become knowledgeable consider several. then things will really click, and you’ll learn what politics are really about.

  • pat says:

    I reckon that it is fantastic that you have an interest in politics. My information to you is to read the newspaper, go to the news websites ( cnn.com, foxnews.com, msnbc.com, etc..), and also watch C-SPAN. If there is a certain issue that you want to learn about, research it. Learn the facts, and find out the arguments for all sides. In addition, you can also question someone who is familiar with the issue. Excellent luck.

  • Stan N says:

    For one thing, don’t use this forum as an education tool.

  • BRO says:

    You should run for some kind of office, you’ll be fantastic because you said you don’t know the first thing about politics, and you just give reasons for about 99.9% of the ones who are in politics…go for it, you’ve passed the test……

  • rushi j says:

    GET INTO SCHOOL COLLEGE ELECTION. THATS AL U GOTTA DO

  • akipooh says:

    just read and try to engage people into political discussion. different perspectives paint a more realistic view of the fact/s.

  • Was Almost a Nurse says:

    The best way to learn about “politics” is to learn about what goes on in the world; not just the United States. When you start to know how the United States relates to the rest of the world, you’ll start to know major aspects of “politics”. I suggest you subscribe to 3 magazines – Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report and Time. These are wonderful starters and will give you much insight into what’s happening in the world.

  • joopzimzamtroy says:

    It is excellent that you have an interest in politics, but you have to know that the politics in this country are based more on financial motives than on a matter of integrity nowadays, but that’s not to say that all American politicians are bent and all about the flo, you have to remember that there’s always a few terrible with the excellent, there is but always a fantastic number of folk that really care about getting the aptly thing done, both Democrat and Republican. The thing about politics is you have to be able to filter the truth out of the lies, and there is a lot of lies, and you have to try and tell when politicians lie when they say material on tv, you can always tell, you just have to pay attention and do your research about what they are talking about. Now don’t get caught up in that total party thing because it really distracts people from solving any problems, just pick one that kinda feels aptly and stand by the material that you and your Political party disagree on, just be in the middle and don’t get caught up in all the extremist material from either sideor be independent, just make sure you vote, and last but not least watch a total lotta C-SPAN, it might be a litlle bit dull at first but if you want the right multi- sided face of American politics,and learn the real process and information from people that really work with the information they are questioned on C-SPAN will do the job like they’re supposed to. Also always make sure that the media information that you get from anywhere sounds right and really is verified. Hope you find everything you’re looking for.

  • zoo2626 says:

    do not rely on the mainstream media (network news, newspapers)! read political blogs (Michelle Malkin, Town Hall, Human Events), watch c-span, take note to talk radio and do a small research into the “facts” that you hear to validate the content. then, form your own opinion.

  • imahooligan66 says:

    Read .

  • rightwinger says:

    STAY AWAY FROM THE TV AND NEWSPAPER. Initiation by listening to 770 am and 570 am. keep an open mind and stay away from the print media. And what ever you do, dont let people tell you what you should reckon, Take note to the despise in the terms that these liberals on this page spew and choose the “aptly” side

  • zclifton2 says:

    Read the Newspaper every day you can on political tales.
    The Chronicle has a excellent section, on Sundays I reckon, that is dedicated to National and Political tales or articles. Also read the front page tales.
    It is hard to do, or learn to do, but conception the opinion page in the Commentary, opinion and editorial sections is a must. I personally recommend Molly Evans who writes opinion pieces. ( I like Molly Evans’ political opinion pieces.)
    I am a Liberal Democrat for your information. I respect Republicans, but persons who call themselves Conservative Republicans are frequently worried about money, and neo-con Republicans are always bragging about how smart they are and how dumb everyone else is. Watch this bunch nut-cakes. Neo-Cons claim to support their political thoughts with facts, but they are infamous for chanting the same ancient exaggerations, slogans and mantras. Neo-Cons also can not hear anyone but other Neo-Cons.
    I welcome you as a new limb of the political junkie crowd, and I warn you that we argue all the time, particularly during this stupid dam Iraq War.

  • johnny cee says:

    May I suggest listening to aptly wing talk radio. They are very
    biased, but in spite of their views which you may or may not
    agree with, these conversations are generally very appealing,
    and educational. I do not recommend the left wing radio such as
    NPR because they are not nearly as entertaining.
    The best teachers in college were the ones with a sense of humor and sensitivity. The ones that made us laugh and weep.
    I recommend Sean Hannity(con), Alan Colms(lib), Dennis
    Praeger(lib), Hugh Hewitt(con), Michael Savage(con), Larry
    Elder(con), Al Rantel(con), Joe Crummy(con, very appealing),
    Laura Ingraham(con), Rush Limbaugh (con, but not always
    appealing), and if you can get ahold of any book written by
    Ann Coulter, voted one the hundred most appealing people
    in the USA. Bill O’Reilly is in between, but fun. The shows are
    usually on AM radio as opposed to FM. Take note for a least a year,
    and I guarantee you will have as many opinions under your belt
    as anyone else.
    I Corinthians 13;8a, Like never fails!!!!!

  • retrotrancer says:

    I urge you to carefully read every response to your question.

    You might notice some very hateful, insulting opinions. They come from people we call LIBERALS. They are easily recognized by their endless assault on the Constitution, the social fabric, freedom, and morality.

    Question any political question, and you’ll notice they use word “Haiburton” regularly while answering.

    They’ll call Republicans Nazis, bigots, racists. They’ll say Republicans want everyone (including themselves) to breath polluted air and drink polluted water.

    These are the type of people to keep as far away from as possible. They are the “Dark Side” of politics.

  • Boomer says:

    continue to read and watch the new. Your age is the best to initiation learning. Really dig into the books at school. It will come over time even though it may not seem like it sometimes.

  • 53&luvnit says:

    read about the forefathers first (or watch a dvd), for the: why are we the united states. read the constitution, watch span on tv & england’s parliment. reckon your own thoughts about solutions to homelessness, unaffordable medicine, children with out food, shelter or proper clothing, why do people end up in jail, what does it cost to live life & what is honest pay for work preformed. these are the beginnings or social order, or guidelines for law. then legislation, consequently, the making of politics. get a excellent dictionary! and remember it takes a while to get the lingo and a lifetime to know. don’t be influenced by others, do your research from many sources (including non-US sources, CBC, europe, asia, ect), to get a rounded picture. excellent luck. by wanting to know, you are ahead of the pack.

  • IrishKerry13 says:

    I was never into politics and still don’t get involved in them much. I do have opinions and that is what politics is all about, just your opinion. The only thing you need to watch is, if you choose to voice your opinion, be sure you have the answers (your beliefs) to argue a excellent line of reasoning.

    That is all it takes. Opinions.

  • interested says:

    study

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