Introduction: Engaged citizens? Political participation and social engagement among youth, women, minorities, and migrants

Many studies have revealed that conventional forms of political participation, especially among young people, women, minorities and migrants, are currently in decline (e.g., Blais & Dobrzynska, 1998; Franklin, 2002; International IDEA, 2004; Putnam, 2000). However, two different explanations have been put forward to explain this phenomenon: some authors argue that political apathy and alienation are increasing, whereas others argue that a shift is taking place from traditional forms of political participation to voluntary and less direct participatory activities using new means of social/political communication (Forbrig, 2005; Zukin, Keeter, Andolina, Jenkins & Delli Carpini, 2006).