Open Access‘Democracy and Active Citizenship Are Not Just About the Elections’: Youth Civic and Political Participation During and Beyond Singapore’s Nine-day Pandemic Election (GE2020)
Author(s) -
Jin Yao Kwan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
young
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.511
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1741-3222
pISSN - 1103-3088
DOI - 10.1177/11033088211059595
Subject(s) - youth participation , civic engagement , democracy , politics , citizenship , action (physics) , public engagement , political activism , political action , political science , active citizenship , youth studies , public relations , sociology , gender studies , law , physics , quantum mechanics
Youths have responded to the unprecedented socio-economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic through civic and political participation. However, knowledge gaps exist with documenting specific motivations and forms involved in participation, as well as the implications for subsequent engagement. Using public podcast episodes produced by the author during Singapore’s nine-day election campaign held under lockdown, youth perspectives were analysed thematically to understand youth motivations, participation forms and how participation shapes future sociopolitical engagement. Findings suggest that Singaporean youth were motivated to build awareness and activism and take action between elections and during GE2020. Youth participation was a mix of conventional and non-conventional activities with seamless digital transitions. That any form of participation during the election resulted in youth resolve to continue or expand their engagement beyond GE2020, with awareness and activism and action perceived as mutually reinforcing motivations, has implications for future political behaviours and activities and issues in which youth are engaged.