Political Participation
• Small-business owners express considerable interest in public affairs and politics. Forty-two (42) percent are highly interested and another 41 percent are somewhat interested.
• Disproportionately large percentages of small-business owners are registered to vote (95%), usually do vote (84%), and run for elective office (3%).
• The proportion of small-business owners who are active in public affairs and political activities is small compared to the number who avoid them (except voting). Most, however, periodically dabble in public affairs and politics, though less often in the campaign aspect. The activities they tend to prefer are more passive, less visible, and less time consuming.
• The most common public affairs and political activities in which small employers appear to engage include: initiating discussion(s) with an employee(s) regarding the impact of a policy issue on the firm and membership(s) in an organization(s) with a policy/political bent. Less frequent are activities like lobbying public officials, circulating/signing petitions, or attending political speeches, rallies, or conventions. Least frequent are activities like canvassing or participating in a telephone bank.
• Forty-three (43) percent of small employers contributed financially to causes, candidates or PACs over the last four years. The median number supported during that time was two with more than half of contributors giving less than $1,000.
• All three levels of government receive small-business owner attention. Interest in activities at one level does not appear to dominate that at the others. The division of interest between candidates and issues falls marginally towards candidates.
• The motivating concern to become involved in public affairs and politics for 39 percent of small employers is to improve the overall well-being of the area/state/country. Sixteen (16) percent cite a personal interest in these topics while 14 percent attribute it to business interests. Eleven (11) percent want to solve a particular problem(s). The remainder cannot explain their motivation.
• Despite frequent dabbling in public affairs and politics, small-business owners hold a decidedly mixed view regarding their repute and probity. Fifty-seven (57) percent agree or strongly agree that politics is sleazy.
• A sense of duty appears to be the prevailing attitude toward public affairs and politics. Ninety-six (96) percent believe that every citizen should participate, if only to vote. Eighty-two (82) percent agree that business owners are leaders, and leaders have a responsibility to lead in public affairs and elsewhere.
• Small-business owners overwhelmingly agree that positive change can result when good people participate in public affairs. They also overwhelmingly believe that achieving good public policy is a constant struggle.