When citizens fail to actively engage in the democratic process by exercising their rights and responsibilities, such as voting, attending public meetings, or contacting elected officials.
Related terms
Political Apathy: Indifference or lack of interest in political affairs. This can contribute to a lack of citizen participation.
Low Voter Turnout: When a small percentage of eligible voters actually cast their ballots during elections. It is one indicator of a lack of citizen participation.
Democracy Deficit: Refers to a situation where citizens' voices are not adequately heard or represented in the decision-making processes of government institutions. It can result from a lack of citizen participation.