Assignment 3: Scroll, Share, Repeat: Breaking the Political Hobbyism Cycle

Eitan Hersh argues in his work Politics is for Power that more Americans engage in “political hobbyism”—treating politics as a spectator sport rather than as a means to acquire power and create change. Hersh argues that much of what Americans call “political engagement” is actually political hobbyism—consuming news, debating online, or following politics as entertainment rather than working to acquire power or influence policy. This assignment asks you to critically engage with Hersh’s ideas and reflect on your own political practices.