Open AccessCIVIC PARTICIPATION AS A PRECURSOR TO POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: A LOOK AT MALAYSIAN YOUTHS
Author(s) -
Jamali Samsuddin,
Lai Che Ching,
Hamisah Hasan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
kinabalu
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1394-4517
DOI - 10.51200/ejk.v0i0.2018
Subject(s) - disengagement theory , apathy , politics , democracy , political efficacy , civic engagement , political science , survey data collection , world values survey , sociology , economic growth , political economy , psychology , economics , law , gerontology , medicine , statistics , cognition , mathematics , neuroscience
The problem of political apathy has been discussed and studied across time, space and cultures with increasing importance. Evidence of youth disengagement has been well documented in all parts of the world. This led to the rise in civic activities as governments struggled with wavering democracies. In a landmark study, Putnam found a direct positive association between civic participation and democracy. However, his hypothesis could only be generalized for Italy. This study broadened Putnam’s work by testing his theory in the South East Asia, a region far different from Europe. Data were collected through a national survey (N = 5,237), sampling youths aged from 15 to 25 years old. Reaffirming Putnam’s hypothesis, the study found a strong positive relationship between civic and political participation. The discussion highlighted the role of third sector organizations to promote civic activities, which require support from both public and private sectors.