Civic Involvement Research Articles

Protesting at the intersection of individual characteristics and obstacles to participation: an analysis of the in-person, online and pivoting styles

ABSTRACT Engaging with long-standing debates on the crisis of democracy, manifested as a downturn in civic involvement, this paper scrutinises the evolving landscape of protest participation. First delineating three distinct protest participation styles – in-person, online and what we conceive of as a pivoting style – we identify individual characteristics among protesters that are associated with each style and consider how different obstacles to participation are linked to these individual styles. Using novel survey data from six European countries, we show that online support can be a viable alternative for individuals unable to join protests due to obstacles they face. The online participation style is more common among people who lack connections with social contacts that can facilitate their participation. The in-person style is prevalent among older participants who are less frequent social media users while the pivoting style is more often realised among young, more biographically available people who are media omnivores. Participants who do not embrace the in-person style lack consensus mobilisation whereas those exhibiting a preference for the online or the pivoting styles face obstacles relating to action mobilisation. We conclude the article with a call for a more nuanced understanding of protest participation, as symptomatic of a transformation of democracy.

Does social capital enhance political participation in older adults? Multi-level evidence from the European Quality of Life Survey

This study explored the role of social capital for non-institutionalised and institutionalised political participation among older adults compared to younger age groups using European Quality of Life Survey data (EQLS) from 2016 and 33 countries (n = 36,908). Multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between individual- and country-level social capital and political participation. Findings revealed that, at the individual level, active associational engagement was positively related to both forms of political participation, while social trust and political trust were linked only to non-institutionalised participation—higher social trust and lower political trust were associated with a greater likelihood of participation. Country-level associational engagement was related to non-institutionalised political participation and country-level political trust with institutionalised participation. For older adults, active associational engagement had stronger individual and contextual effects on non-institutionalised political participation. These results enrich our understanding of political engagement in later life and highlight the unexplored potential for civic involvement among older adults.

Facebook in Local Governance: A Missed Opportunity for Two-Way Communication, Service Customization, and Democratic Enhancement

ABSTRACT This study assesses how local authorities utilize their Facebook-pages to promote civic involvement, enhance democracy, and tailor services to residents’ needs. Methodology includes questionnaires for Facebook-page admins and 431 residents in Israel, analysis of 1,600 posts from 32 municipal Facebook pages, and a “hidden-customer” experiment assessing responsiveness. Results indicate that while 81% of residents follow their municipal pages, only 26% engage actively, and merely 31.8% of inquiries are answered. A significant negative correlation between posting frequency and engagement was also observed. These findings collectively suggest an underutilization of Facebook’s potential for enhancing two-way communication and democracy.

Advancing climate resilience through a geo-design framework: strengthening urban and community forestry for sustainable environmental design

Urban and community forestry is a specialized discipline focused on the meticulous management of trees and forests within urban, suburban, and town environments. This field often entails extensive civic involvement and collaborative partnerships with institutions. Its overarching objectives span a spectrum from preserving water quality, habitat, and biodiversity to mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. The UHI phenomenon, characterized by notably higher temperatures in urban areas compared to rural counterparts due to heat absorption by urban infrastructure and limited urban forest coverage, serves as a focal point in this study. The study focuses on developing a methodological framework that integrates Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), Random Forest (RF), and Suitability Analysis to assess the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect across different urban zones, aiming to identify areas with varying levels of UHI impact. The framework is designed to assist urban planners and designers in understanding the spatial distribution of UHI and identifying areas where urban forestry initiatives can be strategically implemented to mitigate its effect. Conducted in various London areas, the research provides a comprehensive analysis of the intricate relationship between urban and community forestry and UHI. By mapping the spatial variability of UHI, the framework offers a novel approach to enhancing urban environmental design and advancing urban forestry studies. The study’s findings are expected to provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers, aiding in creating healthier and more livable urban environments through informed decision-making in urban forestry management.

Adaptation of commodity purchase tasks to identify substitutable substance-free alternative activities for alcohol use.

Behavioral economic frameworks emphasize the importance of contextual influences on alcohol use; therefore, identifying relative demand for alcohol versus other commodities is of importance. Cross-commodity purchase tasks allow participants to make choices across multiple concurrently available commodities and can thereby pinpoint interactions among those commodities. These tasks may help identify relevant substance-free alternative activities to target in alcohol treatment by determining whether the activity functions as a substitute for alcohol use. While substance-free activity promotion is a promising behavioral component of alcohol interventions, no research to-date has used behavioral economic methods to assess the substitutability of alternative activities for alcohol use. The present studies were preliminary assessments of novel single- and cross-commodity purchase tasks of various alternative activities (e.g., exercise, hobbies, civic involvement). Participants in Study 1 recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (n = 110) were administered a series of novel activity purchase tasks and an alcohol purchase task. Results showed excellent fit of the exponential demand equation to activity purchase task data and provided initial support for adaptation of purchase task methodology to alternative activity demand. In Study 2, participants recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (n = 108) were administered both single-commodity and cross-commodity purchase tasks of alcohol and exercise. While most participants demonstrate independent consumption of alcohol and exercise, a subset of participants substituted exercise for alcohol as indicated by quantitative cross-price elasticity indices. These response patterns highlight the importance of individual differences and hold implications for recovery efforts that promote alternative activity engagement and public policy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Putting people at the centre of marine governance across the UK and Ireland: 20 years of society and the sea

Once considered a scientific, technocratic activity, marine governance has shifted from a top down, state directed process toward participatory and deliberative approaches. In parallel, there has been increasing acknowledgment of the need to consider the human dimensions of marine and coastal issues, and the role of citizens in delivering the sustainable management and protection of the marine environment. By doing so, a more complete understanding of the complex relationship between society and the sea may be achieved. Research has shown that marine practitioners recognise that higher levels of civic involvement and citizenship in the management of the marine environment would be beneficial. Despite this, questions are raised as to whether existing governing institutions, legal structures, and planning instruments enable this to readily happen in practice. This paper explores the extent to which existing marine governance instruments are positioned to engender a society of marine citizens to meaningfully engage with marine stewardship behaviours in the UK and Ireland. A multi-phased research approach critically analyses existing relevant legislation, legal and policy frameworks, focusing on themes associated with the human dimensions of marine governance, including marine stewardship. This evaluation highlights a limited inclusion of terms relating to marine stewardship nationally, but recognises the foundations are there a more strategic and cognisant recognition of human-ocean relationships within marine governance across a range of scales and contexts.

The Impact of E-Government Services, Citizen Participation, and Transparency on Public Trust in Government

This study examines the impact of e-government services, citizen participation, and transparency on public trust in government. The objective is to explore how digitalization in public services, along with enhanced citizen engagement and increased transparency, can influence the level of trust citizens place in their governmental institutions. Using a qualitative research approach, this study draws on existing literature and case studies to analyze these interrelated factors. Data collection involved a comprehensive review of scholarly articles, government reports, and case studies that provide insights into how e-government initiatives, participatory mechanisms, and transparency measures have been implemented and their subsequent effects on public trust. The analysis reveals that e-government services significantly contribute to the efficiency and accessibility of public services, thereby fostering trust among citizens. Additionally, active citizen participation in decision-making processes and transparent governance practices enhance the perceived accountability and integrity of the government, which further boosts public confidence. The findings suggest that a holistic approach combining e-government, citizen engagement, and transparency is crucial for building and maintaining trust in government institutions. This research provides a nuanced understanding of the dynamics between digital governance, civic involvement, and trust, and underscores the need for policymakers to integrate these elements into their governance strategies to improve public trust.

Older adults, perceived ageism, civic participation and mental health: a qualitative study

Objectives This study has three objectives: A) To investigate the relationship of ageism on older adults’ civic activities; B) To analyze the influence of ageism on mental health; and C) To explore the impact of civic participation on older adults’ mental health. Method This qualitative study included 782 older people from three different nationalities (Portuguese, Brazilian, and English) ranging in age from 65 to 88. All the interviews went through the process of content analysis. Results For the first objective, the findings encompass one high-level theme (Social and individual incompetence), which included social rejection (86%), reduced competence (84%), expectations of failure (83%), and not being able to contribute (77%). For the second objective, findings indicated two overarching categories: Perceived inability, including frustration and impotence (89%), incompetence (77%) and irrelevance (71%); and Perceived distress, including anger (81%), feelings of anxiety (68%); and emotional bursts (63%). For the third objective, the following two high-level themes emerged: Ego-oriented resources, which comprised the development of a sense of purpose (81%), learning cognitive skills (71%), and (A3) practising sense of agency (67%); and Social-oriented resources, encompassing feeling socially integrated (80%); and expressing emotionally (54%). Findings indicated that the most verbalized themes for the three objectives were the same across the three nationalities. Conclusions Ageism made it difficult for people to participate in civic life, which has been linked to better mental health. These findings emphasize the need to encourage inclusive civic involvement to improve older individuals’ mental health.

Impact of Ageism on Civic Engagement and Mental Health Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

IntroductionAgeist beliefs and attitudes may restrict the opportunities for older adults to participate actively in their communities, resulting in strong effects on mental health.ObjectivesThis study has three objectives: 1) To investigate the effect of ageism on older adults’ civic activities; 2) To analyze the influence of ageism on mental health; and 3) To explore the impact of civic participation on older adults’ mental health.MethodsThis qualitative study included 391 older people from three different nationalities (Portuguese, Brazilian and English) ranging in age from 65 to 88 years old. All the interviews went through the process of content analysis.ResultsFor the first objective, findings encompass four major themes: (1) Social disapproval (86%); (2) Perceived Ineptitude (84%); (3) Anticipated Failure (83%); and (4) Inability to Contribute (77%). For the second objective, findings indicated six categories: (1) Helplessness and Despair (89%); (2) Rage (81%); (3) Self-Perceived Inability (77%); (4) Sense of Unimportance (71%); (5) Anxiety (68%); and (6) Outbursts of Emotion (63%). For the third objective, the following five major subjects emerged: (1) Meaningfulness (81%); (2) Embracing Social Belonging (80%); (3) Cognitive Abilities (71%); (4) Personal Empowerment (67%); (5) Emotional Expression (54%). Additionally, findings indicated that the most verbalized themes for the three objectives were the same across the three nationalities.ConclusionsThe results of this study offered insight into how ageism, mental health, and civic engagement are related. Ageism seems to have a negative impact on mental health. Ageism also made it difficult for people to participate in civic life, which has been linked to better mental health. These findings emphasize the need to identify ageism and encourage inclusive civic involvement to improve older individuals’ mental health.Keywords: Mental health; ageism; civic participation; older adults.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The influence of the urban model on civic involvement and public time. A study applied to the commuting population of the Greater Metropolitan Area of San José, Costa Rica

A major problem for policymakers is to ensure that levels of citizen participation reflect the society in its diversity, but they must also ensure that those citizens who want to get involved have the means to do so. Despite empirical evidence of the role of urban planning in health, well-being, and livability, studies have not delved into the implications of how low-density sprawled urban forms influence civic involvement. This paper adds new evidence regarding the significance of urban form, built environment characteristics and more in general city planning, as intermediary factors between public and private life connected to civic engagement and public space use. Based on surveys and geographic data from the Greater Metropolitan Area of San José, in Costa Rica, the article investigates how the results of citizen participation change depending on whether residents are from a compact or dispersed study area, relating to urban rhythms and mobility metrics. Findings suggest that inhabitants of group A (lower-density neighborhoods) differ significantly from group B (compact-city areas) in four variables: means of mobility, commuting time, public space use, and civic activism, while having similar sociodemographic composition. Compared with residents of group A, group B report higher levels of use and knowledge of public spaces and civic participation. These two aspects constitute, the Urban Civic Participation Index, which, related to self-reported free time, forms what we define as Public Time. The main characteristics of the compact city (higher population and building density, high street connectivity, grid presence and proximity of services, mixed land use) were found to be positively related to the outcomes of accessibility to public space and community participation. In contrast, there are no significant differences in the availability of free time between the two groups. This study, along with others on the compact city, shows that there are other reasons to reduce daily commuting distances in cities and the need of urban time policies to redesign urban society's temporal dimension besides the known environmental impacts. It also raises the question of how low urban density affects people's time and disposition to participate in public life.

Reimagining Democracy: An Exploration of Anies Baswedan's "Desak Anies" Program

Global democracy is at a crossroads, amidst geopolitical turmoil and socioeconomic upheaval. Despite widespread support for democratic principles such as popular sovereignty and civic involvement, their practical implementation is frequently hampered by entrenched power dynamics and vested interests. Anies Baswedan's pioneering "Desak Anies" program in Indonesia takes a novel approach to democratic government, questioning traditional top-down methods and calling for active citizen participation in decision-making processes. This study, based on theoretical frameworks proposed by authors such as Dahl and Rousseau, investigates the Desak Anies initiative's complex impact. The study's qualitative research approaches, which include a literature review and content analysis observations, aim to provide thorough insights into Desak Anies' transformative potential in transforming democratic behaviors. The findings show that Desak Anies had a significant impact on youth empowerment, instilling a sense of agency and political efficacy in young Indonesians. Furthermore, the program has made a substantial contribution to improving community cohesiveness by giving a forum for varied views to be heard and respected. Desak Anies has ushered in a new era of governmental openness, with an emphasis on open data projects and citizen involvement, which promote accountability and trust in government institutions; establishes a new benchmark for democratic renewal and sustainability by leveraging grassroots mobilization and adopting inclusive policies, providing a replicable model for advancing democracy and fostering inclusive government on a global scale.

Capital institucional no meio rural: análise empírica de cooperativa no estado de São Paulo

We analyzed producers of the Cooperativa Agrária e de Cafeicultores da Região de Tupi Paulista, in the Escritório de Desenvolvimento Rural (EDR) of Dracena. The general goal: to understand the actors or values that may influence producers' decisions to be part of the cooperative. The specific objectives were to evaluate the importance of dairy income, education, institutional trust, willingness to work in groups, civic involvement and relationship between health and participation. The survey applied to 25 producers was based on the “World Values Surveys”. Dairy activity is the main activity for most; 80% has another source of income; more than 20% of the producers have jobs outside their farms. The sample was heterogeneous regarding the schooling. The Cooperative is inserted in an environment of social distrust; members do not participate in other organizations, except religious, they have low interest in political matters. No correlation between participation and self-assessment of health.

The significance of education, democratic values, and political trust across different countries

This study aimed to analyze the critical role that education plays in shaping democratic values and fostering political trust across different countries. This looked at how education, democratic values and political trust are related in many nations, emphasizing how significant these sub-variables are for promoting social cohesion and sustainable government. The study analyzed how educational attainment affects citizens' comprehension of democratic principles and, in turn, their trust in political institutions by examining cross-national data. It looked into how educational systems may foster critical thinking and civic involvement, two things that are crucial for fostering democratic values. This research used data mining method with qualitative analysis approach in analyzing the significance of education, democratic values and political trust. Data mining methods involving qualitative analysis focus on extracting meaningful patterns and insights from qualitative data. This approach emphasizes understanding the underlying themes and contexts within the data, utilizing techniques like thematic analysis, grounded theory, and content analysis. The results showed that political trust rises with educational attainment, indicating that knowledgeable citizens are more inclined to participate in democratic processes and favor stable government. The study emphasized how important it is for policymakers to give education top priority because it is a fundamental component of bolstering democracy and boosting political legitimacy, both of which lead to more resilient societies.

Impact of Online Communities on Civic Engagement: An Inclusivity Assessment Using the Civic Engagement Test

With a mean age of 32.4 years and a balanced gender distribution (55% male, 45% female), we present findings based on a diverse participant sample in this data-intensive study evaluating the "Impact of Online Communities on Civic Engagement: An Inclusivity Assessment Using the Civic Engagement Test," demonstrating the inclusivity of these digital spaces. In online communities, users demonstrated active participation, with an average of 45 posts, 60 likes, and 18 comments. Furthermore, a solid grasp of civic concerns was demonstrated by the civic engagement test results (average score of 82), with 40% exhibiting advanced civic knowledge. The results of inclusiveness evaluations showed that various kinds of communities exhibited variable degrees of inclusivity, highlighting the significance of community design in fostering diversity. These observations highlight the transformational power of online networks in promoting knowledgeable civic involvement and stress the significance of inclusion for the advancement of digital civic engagement.

Renegotiating Citizen Participation in Local Governance in Africa. The Case of Cameroon

In most African countries, political liberation was supported by spontaneous people’s movements and various constellations of civil society. The post-independent era witnessed the introduction of a one-party system, which fundamentally curtailed these freedoms which were at the centre of the decolonial debate in Africa. The liberal market ideology that pervaded economic and political spaces after 1990 heralded alternatives for civil society to self-organize for political change in the continent. In the Economic Commission for Central African States (ECCAS), the legislative framework for citizen participation in local governance processes and structures encountered steep resistance from political elites. However, exogenous factors, together with home-grown citizen initiatives to advance the well-being of the people, emerged. In post-independent Cameroon, citizen participation in local governance processes was shaped by the rigid political and, subsequently, economic systems that the country experienced. With the demise of the bipolar World, people fashioned different places of engagement through civil society spaces where expectations and conceptions of civic involvement were developed and articulated. This policy paper analyses the regulatory framework for civil society participation in local governance in the ECCAS sub-region. It also examines citizen participation in local governance processes and structures in Cameroon. The paper identifies key challenges inhibiting citizens from freely engaging in civic activities in the country and presents some policy directions ECCAS and the state of Cameroon need to take to facilitate the effective involvement of citizens in the associational life of the sub-region and of Cameroon.

National Service Training Program Experience among Pre-service Teachers Towards Civic Engagement and Citizenship

This study explored and assessed the impact of implementation of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) of Philippine Normal University (PNU) among factors such as the experience while taking NSTP 11 & 12 courses, the embodiment of the University’s core values, the role of NSTP in civic engagement, the role of NSTP for pre-service teachers, and the role of NSTP as a citizen. The study is a descriptive correlational research design with a total of 567 participants. A survey questionnaire that contains a total of 55 Likert-type questions was given. The study assessed how the NSTP 11 and 12 courses were implemented, student experiences, how the university’s core values were embodied, and how the NSTP contributed to civic participation and pre-service teacher preparation. The outcomes demonstrated that the NSTP 11 and 12 course implementation was largely positive with some potential for improvement. The evaluation shows that NSTP has contributed in a somewhat significant way to cultivating participants’ sense of citizenship, preparing pre-service teachers, and increasing civic involvement. The factors under study showed only positive relationships with one another. Thus, students at PNU have a positive assessment of NSTP, which is effective in increasing civic involvement and readiness among students. In addition to enhancing students’ political and civic engagement and awareness, the curriculum encourages social responsibility and a dedication to public service.

Enhancing National Cohesion through Primary Social Studies Learning Experiences in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of educational experiences contained within the basic Social Studies curriculum that help foster the development of unity and harmony in Kenya. The study utilized a descriptive survey design for its format. The research focused on a sample population consisting of 467 primary schools in order to target the heads of those schools (467), as well as all social studies teachers (4,832) and students (98,600) from classes five, six, seven, and eight, as well as 40 Curriculum Support Officers. A technique known as proportionate stratified randomization was utilized to select 47 schools from six different sub-counties, along with four teachers and students from each of those schools. For the purpose of data collection, we made use of things like questionnaires, interview guides, observation schedules, conversations with focus groups, and document analysis. Approaches both qualitative and quantitative were utilized in the study of the data. According to the results of the research, the subject matter taught in Kenya's Social Studies classrooms plays a critical role in fostering the country's national cohesiveness and integration. It was also discovered that the curriculum for social studies provides students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for a harmonious life in society. This, in turn, fosters a sense of oneness and unity among the students who are enrolled in the program. As a result of these findings, it was proposed that the curriculum should be revised, that teachers should be taught, and that civic involvement should be promoted in order to increase the impact that social studies education has.

Reviving folk music of the southeast in Shanxi: cultural revitalization and citizen engagement through digital platforms and facilitation through information systems

Digital platforms have become significant vehicles in supporting cultural expressions, thanks to the increasing prevalence of technology and ubiquitous internet access. These platforms provide a wealth of resources, such as online archives, digital databases, and social media, that allow users to easily access information about folk music, cultural events, and historical customs. This quantitative study set out to investigate the relationship between citizen participation in folk music and cultural revitalization and the frequency of digital platform usage and access to information systems. The study also sought to determine how information accessibility mediated these correlations. The study used a cross-sectional methodology and an explanatory quantitative research design to gather data from a sample of 470 individuals, comprising music students from Southeast and Shanxi. Information on the use of digital platforms, access to information systems, participation of citizens in folk music, and cultural renewal was gathered using a structured questionnaire. The data analysis found strong beneficial correlations between citizen participation and cultural renewal and the use of digital platforms. Access to information systems was also favorably linked to civic involvement and cultural renaissance. According to the mediation study, information accessibility plays a critical role in tying the use of digital platforms and access to information systems to civic involvement and cultural renaissance. This study advances academic knowledge by deepening our understanding of how technology, information accessibility, and cultural involvement interact. The results emphasize the significance of information accessibility as a crucial element in encouraging public participation in folk music and assisting cultural revitalization initiatives.

Struggles and Motivational Stories: Reflective Experiences of a Student with Dysfunctional Family Relationship

The family is considered the basic unit of society and portrays an important function as one of the main social institutions. However, the family system is confronted by challenges thus, suffers disintegration which results in dysfunctional family relationship. Numerous studies have been conducted exploring family relationships and how an unhealthy living environment could affect the well-being of an individual from properly portraying his or her vital role in society. This study also focuses the research process around what works, rather than trying to fix what does not. This study however aims to focus on the reflective experiences – the stories of struggles and motivation of an individual dealing with dysfunctional family relationship. The researcher utilized appreciative inquiry as the main design and used a single case study approach, in which the main participant faces a dysfunctional family set-up but still finds ways to live a productive life through engaging in the community. Through thematic analysis, the study revealed that individuals coming from dysfunctional homes are not always the ones who misbehave, are in conflict with the law, or become a rebel. Oftentimes, they value their life and develop their coping mechanisms to be a productive member of society. Through the narrative and experiences of the participant, this study has established that a dysfunctional home can also create and develop the most goal-driven and not disinterested in civic involvement and activities type of individuals.

Examining Service Learning as an Approach to Intensify International Students’ Multicultural Understanding

The purpose of this investigation was to identify, examine, and analyse the opinions of four international postgraduate students who embarked on a service-learning project required by the course taken in Semester 2, 2021/2022. It included engaging in community service, connection to their academic endeavours, reporting the outcomes, critical reflection, and reciprocity. Choral speaking activities were selected as the tool for their engagement with children in the community. The qualitative approach was chosen as the research design, employing in-depth semi-structured interviews. The findings pointed to the beneficial aspects of service-learning which include: (1) enhances multicultural understanding; (2) improves civic involvement; (3) acknowledges that academic work has real-world importance; and (4) promotes language learning as well as reciprocity, that need to be improved.