Book chapter
A school of tolerance? Participation in associations and youth tolerance
2017Lundberg, E., & Abdelzadeh, A.In Lundberg, E. (Ed.), Mechanisms of tolerance: an anthology. Stockholm: The Living History Forum
What is this study about?
The study examines whether young people's participation in associations is related to their tolerance towards people and groups about whom they may hold negative views. The point of departure is the notion of civil society as a ”school of democracy”, in which participation in organisations can provide experiences of cooperation, encounters with others, and democratic norms. The study tests whether involvement in associations is also associated with higher tolerance among young people.
What did we find?
Is associational life a school of tolerance? The results show that the relationship between participation in associations and tolerance is not simple or unambiguous. Being active in an association does not automatically make a young person more tolerant. The significance of participation depends, among other things, on the social and organisational context in which the involvement takes place. The study thereby problematises the assumption that participation in civil society in itself creates democratic values.
Why does it matter?
Civil society organisations are often attributed democratic significance because participation is assumed to develop trust, tolerance and other civic competences. The study shows why this notion needs to be qualified. It is not participation in itself that is decisive, but the experiences, relationships and social contexts that associational life creates. This is important for understanding when and how civil society can actually function as a school of democracy.
Citation
Lundberg, E., & Abdelzadeh, A. (2017) A school of tolerance? Participation in associations and youth tolerance. In Lundberg, E. (Ed.), Mechanisms of tolerance: an anthology. Stockholm: The Living History Forum 313–332
Research area
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