Civic Engagement and Contribution of High Civic Heath to Economic Recovery
Successful civic engagement leads to high levels of civic health indicated by such indices as a link to family, neighbors, institutions as well as high voter registration and turnout. Civic participation is essential in the realization of economic development as states and cities with high civic health levels enjoy resilience in economic collapse and unemployment compared to states with low civic health (Levine et.al, 2012). Civic engagement develops a strong sense of civic responsibility and empowers states and citizens as agents of positive change. Strong civic health enables states deal with the recession and unemployment better as it influences economic and policy factors. The difference can be as a result of access to information, networks for jobs, good governance and availability of human capital.
Arguably, good social cohesion with neighbors, family members, friends and other institutions improves civic health leading to resilience against unemployment (Levine et.al, 2012). Through these social networks, people get jobs and develop new valuable connections based on trust and lack opportunism which accommodates steady commercial transactions (Malik and Wagle, 2002). Human capital theory argues that skills such as team building and excellent assessment foster confidence and habits that employers require. Civic engagement encourages volunteering and increased interaction with neighbors which bridges the gap between available talents and what employers seek to recruit. High civic health states have better government systems which influence levels of education and public policies which affect economic situations, social services and unemployment. It has also been argued that personal attachment as a result of civic engagement increase chances of citizens investing, hiring and increasing spending (Levine et.al, 2012). Conclusively, these reasons indicate a strong positive link between civic health and resilience to unemployment and economic crisis.
References
Levine, P., Kawashima-Ginsberg, K. & Lim, C. (2012). Civic Health and Unemployment II: The Case Builds. Washington DC. Retrieved from http//:www.ncoc.net/unemployment2
Malik, K., & Swarnim, W. (2002). Civic Engagement & Development: Introducing the Issues. Retrieved from http//:www.unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan006234.pdf
