POLITICAL ACTIVITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE: TRENDS, PROBLEMS, CONTRADICTIONS

Abstract

Aim. To analyze the specific features of young people’s political activity, based on the consideration of the essence of young people’s political participation phenomenon.Methodology. Based on the data of empirical (both qualitative and quantitative) studies conducted in Russia and in other countries, the analysis of young people’s participation in political processes was carried out.Results. It is shown that in relation to older generations, young people are not only less active, but they also choose other (informal) channels of participation in politics. The hypothesis has been put forward that young people do not show political absenteeism, seek institutional participation in politics, but organized ways that can provide young people with full access to political life are unknown to them, inaccessible or untrustworthy. It is suggested that this state of affairs is one of the forms of inequality, since young people are deprived of democratic levers of influence on political processes.Research implications. The study substantiates the assumption that the issues of political participation of young people should be considered as a priority direction of the state's youth policy.

Keywords

• political participation
• civic engagement
• political participation
• youth
• political culture of participation
• democracy