Mixed messages

Youth Participation and Democratic Practice

Bibliographic Data

ID6234882
AuthorsJ Bessant (0000-0001-7385-5358, RMIT University, corresponding author)
Year2004
Volume39
Issue2
Pages387-404
Publication date2004-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAustralian Journal of Political Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1036-1146 • E-ISSN: 1363-030X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1036114042000238573
OpenAlexW2049608388
LanguageEN
Citations received69
References cited16

The article begins by observing that, over the last decade, the idea of youth participation has once more become a popular part of contemporary political talk both in Australia and in many Western societies. Indeed most Western governments now advocate enhanced youth participation as part of a discourse about modern citizenship, so much so that it has become a policy cliche to say 'increased youth participation' will 'empower' young people, help build community and remedy a range of social problems. It is also noted that, if the idea of participation itself is an old idea central to the liberal democratic tradition, the current 'rediscovery' of youth participation is arguably part of that political orthodoxy. Drawing on selected State, national and Commonwealth government youth documents, the question is asked whether the official enthusiasm for youth participation has much to do with democratic practice. It is argued that the recent government enthusiasm for youth participation is problematic for three reasons. First, it fails to recognise the significant obstacles that young people currently experience when trying to participate socially, economically and politically. Second, there is a failure to think through what democratic practice requires. Third, both the conceptualisation and operationalisation of official youth participation policies reveal an agenda that is seriously at odds with the rhetoric of democratic participation. This raises questions about whose voice is actually being heard and to what effect. A litmus test of any government, however it may describe itself, is its treatment of children

Democracy · Enthusiasm · Government (linguistics · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Youth participation · Children's Rights and Participation · Law · Psychology · Public Administration · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology · Youth Education and Societal Dynamics

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