Which statement best describes internal political efficacy?

• A. Belief that the political system will respond.
• B. Confidence in one's own ability to participate in politics.
• C. Trust in institutions.
• D. Likelihood of voting.

Answer: (B)

Internal political efficacy is the belief in your own capacity to understand political issues and to participate in political activities. It reflects a sense of personal competence to engage, assess information, and take action such as joining discussions, contacting representatives, or voting with informed understanding. That’s why the statement about confidence in one’s own ability to participate in politics best captures this idea.

In contrast, the belief that the political system will respond describes external or system responsiveness—external efficacy. Trust in institutions is a broader confidence in the reliability or integrity of those institutions, not specifically about one’s own participatory ability. The likelihood of voting describes a behavior or tendency rather than a belief about personal capability.