Thesis
Young people’s activism in the UK : investigating the impact of perception and identity on non-electoral participation
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2023
- Thesis identifier
- T16690
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201950264
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- This study examined the impact of the perception of agency, efficacy and influence on young people’s activism and explored how feelings and personal identity are related to becoming politically interested and involved. It contributes to the expanding literature on young people’s non-electoral political participation and combines in its original theoretical framework the concept of ‘Do-It-Ourselves politics’ with sociopolitical development theory. The theoretical framework was developed on the central assumption that self-perceived empowerment influences young people’s engagement in non-electoral participation. Self-perceived empowerment, conceptualised as the perception of agency, efficacy and influence, was assumed to be associated with higher levels of participation in non-electoral political activities. The social settings of activist participation were explored further by examining how young people relate to their activism emotionally and how their identity influences and shapes their involvement with particular issues. Following a mixed-method design, data was collected from an original online survey with a sample of people aged 16-24 (N = 1,094) and eight focus group discussions with young people who were politically active on the issues of climate change, anti-racism, feminism and LGBT rights. High levels of non-electoral participation were found to be connected to positive perceptions of personal agency, internal and collective efficacy and social influence. Interest in social issues was more decisive for youth activism than interest in politics. Engagement in issue-based activism and identity-based activism was driven by different emotions and personal experiences. The central motivation in climate activism originated from caring about others. In identity-based activism, individuals reported that although their personal identity was connected to experiences of fear and discrimination, it also represented a strong source of motivation. Overall, self-perceived capacities of empowerment – agency, efficacy and influence – play a significant role in the activism of young people. However, these capacities are influenced by social power dynamics and shaped by personal experiences and identities.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Sime, Daniela
- Borz, Gabriela
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relations
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PDF of thesis T16690 | 2023-09-19 | Public | Download |