Political Education and Participation Among Youth Reviewed by Christof Wittmaack

Youth and Politics: Political Education and Participation among Youth Reviewed by Christof Wittmaack he discussion about youth and search on the question of how childhood politics is widely popular among and youth infuence political socialisation scholars, in the media and in (97). Tus he observes a one-dimensional Tpublic debate. In their anthology Youth focus on youth in research on political so- and Politics: Political Education and Partici- cialisation. Moreover, he dismisses claims pation among Youth Aydin Gürlevik, Klaus of an alleged political apathy among youth Hurrelmann and Christian Palentien (eds.) and stresses the importance of other means give a systematic overview of diferent felds of participation in order to evolve political of the debate. In 25 articles, including the socialisation. introduction, the authors address popular Fundamental political rights are granted to claims – such as young people being “un- every citizen – including youths – by the political” or their alleged inability to make German constitution. However, in his arti- well-founded political decisions – and they cle Ingo Richter discusses in how far young lay out diferent models to stimulate youth people are constrained in exercising their participation. rights in families, at school, or at work, Te anthology is divided into fve parts. and he highlights how fundamental rights In the frst part theoretical basics are pre- confict with one another. He evaluates sev- sented, while the second part examines eral interpretations of when children come youth participation empirically. Te third of age – upon turning 18, when they are part presents diferent models to enhance children’s right to vote is the claim that they born, or when they are “mature” enough youth participation and is in turn divided simply lack the cognitive abilities to make (148-152). With respect to education, into three chapters – 1) the right to vote, 2) well-founded political judgements. Howev- Richter examines the kinds of situations diferent forms of youth advisory councils er, Rolf Oerter points out that youths are, in which the right and duty of parents to such as youth parliaments, and 3) youth in fact, able to think logically at a young educate their children might confict with ombudspersons. All of the approaches are age but are still developing the ability for the children’s right to freely develop their subsequently evaluated in the fourth part complex and dialectic thinking by adopt- personality and to exercise their political before the anthology concludes in Part 5 ing further cultural knowledge. Besides, he rights autonomously. Because of the free- with a look at the future of youth partici- emphasises that, while knowledge is indeed dom of children to have an autonomous pation. Given the large number of articles necessary to make mature decisions, the opinion, parents are not allowed to impose in the anthology, this review limits itself to variety of political decisions might also be their views on their own children. Howev- discussing only a selection of them. limited by excluding new perspectives (74- er, as soon as any legal obligations result In Part 1 of the anthology several scholars 75). Consequently, he advocates in favour from young people’s opinion, for instance discuss widespread concerns about young of a partial enfranchisement of children and by obtaining membership in a political people’s right to vote and warn of simpli- youth in spheres which are easier to fath- party, or if there are any possible dangers fcations and generalisations. For instance, om than federal or foreign politics, for in- involved, such as violence at a rally, parental Marc Paretzke and Andreas Klee as well as stance in schools or families (81). Despite approval is needed (155-156). Concerning Jürgen Gerdes and Uwe H. Bittlingmayer providing a balanced analysis of children’s education at schools, the matter is not as point out imprecise defnitions of “political ability to vote, parts of Oerter’s argumenta- difcult. While schools cannot fulfl their participation”, “youth” or “politics”, which tion remain unclear. Even though he makes duty to political education by depriving the are often used in everyday discourse, but it a point to address both, the better com- students of their political rights, students which by no means describe discrete enti- prehensibility of small political constructs, are not allowed to use the school premises ties. Terefore, claims such as “more partic- especially for young children, as well as the for their political goals without the school’s ipation equals more democracy” or “a right possible gain by adding unprejudiced per- permission (157). to vote for children and youth equals more spectives to the political debate – the reason While the frst part of the anthology is main- participation” need to be handled carefully for which he favours the frst argument over ly about the theory of political participation, (41), given the fact that trends ascribed to the second – is elusive. the second part sheds light on the empirical youth can often be observed throughout so- Despite the unquestionable importance research on political participation among ciety as a whole. of youth for political socialisation, Heinz young people. Te lack of political interest Te most prominent concern opposing the Reinders demands more diferentiated re- and participation and a general trend Intergenerational Justice Review 73 Issue 2/2016 Instead of worrying whether young people counterproductive in the quest for stronger efcial to readers. While it is common to from all social backgrounds participate, youth participation. perceive youth participation as essential for they argue that structures of democracy To conclude Part 5 – and the anthology a vital democracy, the authors present quite for children and youth should be institu- – Christian Lueders and Tomas Raus- diferent ideas on how to stimulate it. How- tionalised frst. While there is some validity chenbach take a slightly diferent approach ever, as Hurrelmann and others correctly to this claim, their implication that youth to youth politics by addressing the entire point out, a diference can only be made by participation works solely as an elite activity feld and not just particular measures. Tey combining several approaches. Another im- is pretty harsh. Despite these limitations, observe a general trend in German youth portant claim is the need to transform the the authors’ well-structured and compre- politics to shift the focus from underprivi- political culture in order to fght political hensive approach to participation in youth leged youth to participation and supporting apathy (or rather disenchantment with pol- parliaments is very enriching. capabilities and proclaiming “independent iticians) not only among youth, but among In his article, Hans Fraeulin evaluates the youth politics”. However, in their article society as a whole. role of children and youth lobbies, drawing Lueders and Rauschenbach challenge this Undoubtedly, improving youth participa- from his experience as a youth ombudsman proclamation. In view of a lack of clarity in tion is an infnite process which will always in Graz, Austria. While providing interest- analysing which age groups are addressed require further academic as well as public ing insights about the defcits youth om- by youth politics, they emphasise the risk debate. Meanwhile, the anthology Youth budspersons face in their work, such as a of a competition between children’s and and Politics is well equipped to motivate the limited budget or bureaucracy, the article is youth politics. Moreover, by pointing out next generation of thinkers to further devel- rather disappointing. Not only is it clearly the overlap with other policy felds such as op youth participation. out-dated – judging from his sources (with education, employment, health care, securi- one exception all his sources were published ty, gender, and immigration, they conclude Gürlevik, Aydin / Hurrelmann, Klaus / in 1996 or earlier) or the examples that he that youth politics cannot be considered Palentien, Christian (eds.) (2016): Jugend uses, such as youth magazines or organisa- an independent policy feld just yet (511). und Politik: Politische Bildung und Beteili- tions which no longer exist – but he con- In order to promote a dialogue about an gung von Jugendlichen. Wiesbaden: Spring- stantly uses terms such as “recently” or “this independent youth policy, they develop a er. 528 pages. ISBN: 978-3-658-09144-6. year” despite referring to his time in ofce concept which unites four policy dimen- Price: €49.99. in the mid-1990s. Given the changes in sions: protection and support, enablement, youth participation over the last 20 years, participation, and generation (515). More- this is inadequate. Another point of criti- over, they emphasise the necessity for youth cism is the lack of neutrality in his writing, politics to articulate clear goals as well as the on the one hand, and the attempt to create need for lively academic discussion about objectivity, on the other hand, by referring how youth politics should be shaped. to himself in the third person, and thus To evaluate the anthology, it is important generalising his experience. to remember its purpose. Given the wide In Part 5 several views on youth partici- debate on youth and participation, the pation are discussed. Aydin Gürlevik and authors aim to provide an overview of the Christian Palentien emphasise the relevance feld. For this reason, spectacular new fnd- of lowering the age limit of the franchise ings should not be expected. However, the in order to support the political socialisa- anthology is a comprehensive entry point tion of youth. Like many authors before for newcomers to the feld. them, they argue that young people do not Considering its aim, the structure of the trust politicians to solve problems in their anthology is admirable. Several theoretical areas of interest. Moreover, they observe assumptions as well as stereotypes about a lack of clear political vision in the polit- youth participation are addressed and ical debate.

Load more