Young People's Attitudes towards Democracy and Political Participation: Evidence from a Cross-European Study

Abstract Some scholars warn about democratic disaffection of young people potentially leading to processes ‘democratic deconsolidation’. Conversely, others interpret people's preference for non-conventional forms participation as a manifestation renewal. We surveyed respondents from nine European countries and analysed differences in attitudes opposition democracy across age groups how these preferences shape political mobilization. Our findings show that the youngest adult group is no less supportive liberal than older groups. Second, although towards decrease mobilization, this association independent age. Thus, critical views rarely translate into apathy democracy. Finally, our results provide insights intra-generational attitude by showing individual attributes are likely crystallize different value configurations patterns engagement over time but within specific contexts.