Political Participation from TFA

McAdams measure levels of service/civic participation based on participation in the Teach for America program. His findings describe the effects of "felt efficacy" and "collaborative activities" as important determining factors for future involvement. I think it is reasonable to extend this conclusion to other service involvement as well. Anytime a person feels responsible for change or connected with a social group, they are likely to enjoy that feeling and desire its replication.

However, I think the study brings up our previous conversations about the value of civic involvement and its correlation to political participation. In terms of citizen competence, we have primarily been concerned with people's involvement in political activity, rather than all volunteering or community participation. Thus, we might be concerned by the tables in the study that show less participation in "institutional politics" than in "civic activity" or "social movements", but encouraged by the statistic that 92 percent of the subjects voted in the last presidential election.

I'm not convinced that the results of the study bode ill for service activities and their effects in general. The actual work performed by TFA members could be valuable enough on its own merits that the lack of increase in service later might not matter. More generally, I believe civic participation matters to communities, states, and the country as a positive social good such that it should be encouraged regardless of whether or not it makes individuals more politically active.