There must be 50 ways: Participating in democracy #25: Donate

This is the most important way to participate in democracy if you listen to the campaign fundraiser. This is the least important way to participate in democracy if you listen to the impecunious activist. 

In either case, however it matters on the effectiveness scale, it is participating in democracy. 

My $10 every month for years to John Lewis? Yeah, not necessarily effective. Same with my bit each month to Barbara Lee. And now, my little recurring donation to AOC is not necessarily going to change history. 

Nonetheless, just like direct action, just like a political demonstration, it's more about a "unity in the community" action, a "lots of us give a little so the billionaires who give huge amounts are less relevant." 

It's true that Elon Musk gave more than a quarter of a $billion to elect Trump in 2024. His influence was huge. 

It's also true that, if the Harris campaign had been better, my $25 each week would have meant more. I participated in democracy, but Harris frequently didn't represent me--never distinguishing herself from the toxic Biden military aid to Israel as it slaughtered children, boasting and threatening that if someone comes in her home she will shoot them, failing to explicitly criticize the abysmal chaos of withdrawing the US from Afghanistan--so it's hard to say that my monetary support, however small, for the Harris campaign was effective participating in democracy. 

When campaigns like Ocasio-Cortez abjure large donors, however, it feels like participating in democracy with that ongoing donation. It's one way amongst many to participate.