Political Climate

Perspective: Sophie Quadt (JMU Student)

When I asked Sophie Quadt what comes to mind when she hears the word “politics,” she responded with: “Parties, government, policy.” For her, political parties form the foundation of how she thinks about her views on politics as a system of organized groups and decision-making structures.

Politics, Sophie says, evokes a mix of curiosity and passion, along with some uncertainty. “Depending on the topic,” she explains, “I wouldn’t say I’m argumentative, but I definitely have strong feelings.” That blend of interest and caution seems to reflect on the broader climate today.

Sophie describes today’s political landscape as deeply polarized, split by an “us vs. them” mentality. Some people care deeply, while others are fully disengaged. She credits  this divide to the two-party system and media coverage that pushes division to its viewers.

For young people, Sophie sees both engagement and gaps in knowledge. “People generally care,” she says, "people don’t know too much about the economy…or economic policies…or some foreign policy..”. They focus more on hot topics like abortion or LGBTQ+ rights. She strongly believes young people should care in order to better understand the society they live in. 

When Ms.Quadt was asked to rate her understanding on some major foreign conflicts on a scale of 1-10 and to describe said topics, she responded with the following: 

Palestine-Israel Conflict — 5/10

She knows that Hamas is a terrorist organization and that Palestine attacked Israel, prompting a large-scale retaliation. Israel claims it is targeting Hamas, but civilians are also affected—a reality that has led to genocide followed by denial. Sophie admits she doesn’t know the full historical context, but she recognizes that the situation is extremely complex.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict — 1-2/10

Sophie’s knowledge of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is limited, around a 1 or 2. She understands that Ukraine seeks independence, while Russia claims Ukraine as part of its territory. Sophie identifies the core issue as one of sovereignty, but she is unsure about the political or historical context behind the war.

Sudanese War — 1/10

The conflict in Sudan is the one Sophie knows least about. She is aware that genocide is occurring, including deliberate killings of civilians, which she refers to as the “elimination stage.” Beyond that, her understanding is minimal, highlighting how some global crises remain invisible.

Sophie also reflected on how awareness of these issues could improve. She feels social media is oversaturated, making it difficult for important topics like Sudan to reach young people. Palestine receives more coverage, but much of the world’s crises go unnoticed. She suggests solutions like public advocacy, in-person publications, or short, digestible memos- ways to engage people beyond the constant scroll.

Talking with Sophie made it clear that young people are still curious about politics, even if their understanding of global conflicts varies.  Social issues grab attention while global conflicts can be harder to follow, and the media can both illuminate and obscure. Yet, even amid uncertain times, there is still hope for change.