Which practice is not an effective way for people to influence government policies? voting for or against the president of the United States engaging in informed debates with peers voting for or against public safety and welfare services letting representatives know they care about the economy

The correct answer is: "engaging in informed debates with peers".

The option chosen as a correct answer is the only one that does not constitute a right (and somehow also a duty) of citizens in a democratic nation. Specifically, the other three include manners in which citizens in a representative democracy can express their will. Citizens have the power in a democracy and grant it to those political representatives that they consider that can fulfil their interests. Representatives show their intentions (for example, public safety, economic policies, or other types of policies) and political beliefs to the electorate in a political campaign, and are chosen through universal suffrage. The top representative would be the President.

Discussing about political issues with peers does not reach political representatives, that are the ones who have the direct power of transforming the society through policies.