Being more political in 2021 is not about choosing a political party or wanting to get into politics as a career choice. Instead, it’s more about how you can develop into an overall better and knowledgeable person. A more political person can be defined as one that is aware of the government’s actions and public affairs of entities around the world – within the sphere of importance to the person. Take a teacher, for example. A teacher could become more political by understanding the governmental policies that impact them and the different parties’ views on said policies. Consider this new year as a fresh start to improve yourself and your political mindset.

You can start by understanding the opportunities that being more political can open for you. In school or among friends, a more political person can understand and discuss different policies that are brought up in conversation and will be able to decide for themselves which policy makes the most sense. Being more political, in general, allows you access into conversations that can open your viewpoints and give you a new perspective on topics. More politically knowledgeable people are often seen as intelligent, so, in a work sense, it can benefit you because it shows that you have a grasp on current events happening around the world and how they can be resolved.

In a New York Times study, 526 American voters from different walks of life spent a weekend together and gained the understanding of why others had the views they did – everyone’s background impacts their views on politics, according to the 2019 article. The study also found that the more this diverse group of people talked to each other, the more empathetic and informed the group became.

Politics do matter, and you should care because they impact you and your family. Understanding the impact politics have, on both the local and federal levels, will drive you to learn more. It is equally important to stay informed on an international level. You think a war between two foreign countries may not directly impact you and, therefore, decide not to investigate the topic further, but the federal government of your country will inevitably take a stance that will be seen positively or negatively. This can translate back on to you in the simplest ways, like when traveling internationally, so why not take a few minutes to research and learn more?

You can give your own opinions and form your own thoughts on topics with the more research you do. When it comes time to vote, you’ll be more than capable to fully recognize the reasons why you voted for each candidate. Furthermore, researching the political stances of businesses that you are interested in or schools you are looking at can also help you determine which deserve your patronage. You have more freedom as a citizen when you do your duty as a citizen and consider how politics are working for you, why they matter, and how they impact you.