Youth expresses the most militant and promising part of the political left, playing a central role in social mobilisations and political uprisings. But are left-wing parties in Europe credible to Millennials and Gen Z? Why do even the radical parts of the politicised youth not see the left parties as spaces of participation and collective struggle?
This study constitutes a first step in the analysis and interpretation of the politicisation and political participation of Millennials and Gen Z in Europe, both in terms of established indicators, such as the electoral behaviour, and within the frame of contentious politics and social movement theory. Moreover, the authors move to political conclusions that, subsequently, drive them to political recommendations and strategic steps for the European Left that could overcome the mutual estrangement between the left-wing parties and the progressive youth.
These recommendations could serve as a guide for the upcoming political struggle of the European left in the 2024 European Elections, a programme upon which we can build campaigns that target the youth — and are built by youth — using a new political imagination and moving beyond our familiar paths.
Please find the ePaper on the left/below (mobile version) in ‘Documents’ (English, PDF).
Table of Contents
1. ΥOUTH POLITICISATION AND THE POLITICAL PROFILE OF THE
YOUTH (MILLENNIALS AND GEN Z) IN EUROPE
Framing the discussion on youth political participation
Political attitudes: Political interest, trust, and ideology
Electoral politics
1. Electoral abstention: alienation, apathy or political non-participation?
2. Generation Left and the Far-Right
3. Party politics
2. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND THE YOUTH
1. New fields, agencies, and repertoires of participation
2. Individualisation and collective action
3. Organising in a networked society
4. Protesting in the digital era
5. New claims, new frames
POLITICAL SUGGESTIONS