Political participation in late modernity among Norwegian youth: an individual choice or a statement of social class?

Abstract

Past research has established socioeconomic status as a major determinant of political participation. This explanation has been challenged by sociologists such as Giddens and Beck, who claim that politics in late modernity has become influenced by social class and family tradition to a lesser degree than politics in the traditional industrial society. The authors discuss whether it is reasonable to claim that the youth of today demonstrate an individualized mode of political action: Do we see a shift in young people's political repertoire from a formal towards a cause-oriented participation? Do cause-oriented activities to a higher degree than formal activities recruit participants from a broader social field? The analysis is based on a representative survey of Norwegians aged 16–19. It is argued that the new pattern of political participation is influenced by an ongoing process of individualization, whereas socioeconomic class plays a minor role in comparison with cultural resources in family and individual resources. However, the structural and cultural conditions influence the new political activities to a higher degree than the traditional forms. Long historical traditions involving Norwegian youth in ideological mass movements are presented as an explanation of this contradictory picture.