Youth Participation: Theoretical Positioning and Methodology

Abstract

As outlined in chapter 1, in this book we aim to address what is commonly called the crisis of democracy. We do this through an in-depth analysis of the nature and the quality of youth participation. We will focus on the ways in which young people are being represented, how (European) institutions are attempting to involve young people in their policymaking processes, and crucially evaluate possible solutions that could improve the quality and breadth of youth participation. Besides this, we will emphasise the importance of both formal and informal ways of participating in a democracy through voting, as well as demonstrating, and volunteering. Media and communication tools have recently been seen to provide important and distinct channels through which the participation of young people in democratic life can be promoted and enabled (or indeed impeded), be it in the way young people are represented by the mainstream media, the facilitation of participation by young people in media, or social media fostering engagement with and debate about politics. Finally, we will address the crucial issue of exclusion and inequality in participation. Before that, however, it is paramount to address a number of theoretical debates in relation to the concepts we use, as well as outline our research design and methodology.