In today's American society, people seem to disagree on how things should be run more than ever before. Some say our government is doing way too much, others say it's doing too little, and many say it's just doing things completely wrong. Unfortunately for me, I am too young to vote for what I think would be best.

Yet despite my age, I continue to watch as our government makes decisions that will ultimately affect each and every one of us. However, with recent changes, we can't help but wonder if democracy is still as effective as it was in previous generations. Does it depend on which party is in charge? Or is the whole system broken beyond repair? In all honesty, it kind of feels like it is right now.

So, when did things start falling apart? Was there one big event that shattered our trust, or has this been a gradual process? Most importantly, what, if anything, can we actually do about it?

The moment trust was diminished

People will always be skeptical of politicians. However, there's a big difference between being frustrated and feeling powerless. For many, that shift started in 2000, when the presidential vote was decided by a few hundred votes in Florida and the supreme court intervened. It was one of the first times Americans realized that elections were not as straightforward as they seemed.

Fast forward to 2016 and 2020, when accusations of voter fraud, foreign interference, and many more problems were widespread. The government was seen as untrustworthy. A recent Gallup poll found that only 28% of Americans believe elections are honest. This is a massive drop from the previous decades. And it's not just one bad election or single politician; Americans feel the entire system is rigged.

Then there's social media, where truth can come to light, but faults are often exaggerated to the extreme. In other words, it makes everything worse. Every time you open your phone, there's a new scandal, a new example of government incompetence, or another video of politicians arguing over nonsense instead of actually fixing problems. No wonder so many people are just... over it.

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Politics or a Battleground?

Another major reason people are currently losing faith? Our government is often more interested in fighting itself than solving real world dilemmas. Politics has basically become a never ending war between two sides that are equally stubborn.

At times, instead of focusing on issues that truly matter, like health care or affordable housing, politicians often spend their time making sure the other side doesn't win. Because only one side has all the answers, right?

A pew research study found that nearly 80% of Americans think that our country is more politically divided than ever before . That's not just an opinion, though, it's become reality. When the people in charge are more focused on winning the debate, the topic at hand is left unsolved. It's hard for for anyone to believe in the system at all.

As journalist David Pakman put it:

"When politicians care more about scoring points than fixing real issues, people lose faith in the system. And they should."

Politics has become a battleground, whether you're on one side or the other -- republican or democrat, red or blue, conservative or liberal. Hey, they even have their own mascots: the donkey and the elephant. Basically, there's almost no middle ground anymore, and that division isn't just frustrating; it's actively damaging the public's trust in the government and tearing our country apart. Instead of focusing on solutions, politicians and the media actively fuel this divide, and make every issue a "us vs. them" fight.

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Young people have had enough

For Gen Z and millennials, this is the only political system we have ever known. We hear stories in our history class about past presidents and how American citizens overcame trials. However, the system we have today is the only one we've lived through, and we truly understand what's at risk. We grew up watching our parents struggle through the Great Recession, saw lawmakers debate whether climate change is real, and lived through mass shootings while politicians sent out "thoughts and prayers." It's no wonder so many of us are skeptical.

However, it's possible that the government has always been unbalanced, and we just have the resources to see it now. It's easy to feel like the government is worse now than ever, but maybe it's not that things have gotten worse - maybe we just see more of it now. In the past, scandals and shady objectives were easy to cover up.

Without 24/7 news coverage, social media, or independent journalism, people mostly got their information from a few major newspapers and TV networks. Now? Every single lie, every backroom deal, and every moment a politician contradicts themselves is recorded, reposted, and dissected online.

For young people growing up in this environment, it has shaped a deep skepticism towards the government, as we constantly see proof of the failures. At the same time, all these platforms have given people a voice, allowing activists and everyday citizens to call out injustices and demand the change we all want to see.

Image Credit: Mike Newbry from Unsplash

What Can We Do About It?

Losing faith in government, especially when it seems so divided and is constantly under the spotlight for its failures, can be deeply discouraging. But no matter your age, you can still have influence, voice, and power.

Start by knowing what's really happening, beyond just headlines and TikTok clips. Follow reliable sources that steer clear of being too biased. Learn how government works, not only at a national level but at local and state levels too.

Do your best to understand different viewpoints (even if you don't agree with them). Knowledge is power, especially the power to recognise when you're being misled or manipulated.

While national politics feels broken and distant, local change can feel very real. Attend town hall meetings and school board sessions, and really get involved. By participating in campaigns and causes that matter to you, your voice can be heard.

One of the best antidotes to disillusionment is building something better. Talk with the people around you about possible solutions in order to make changes possible.

Use your voice. Think long-term. If you're frustrated with how things are run, you might consider becoming part of the system to change it.

Study politics, law, education, journalism, or anything that matters to you. Gen Z is the next set of leaders, but we don't need to wait for that time to come. Change can happen now.