Eeva Luhtakallio et al., "Youth Participation and Democracy: Cultures of Doing Society" (Bristol UP, 2024)
Feb 25, 2025
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Veiko Erranti, an Associate Professor of Urban Sociology at the University of Helsinki, dives into how Finnish youth engage in democratic practices. He introduces the innovative concept of 'doing society' to expand traditional views of political action. The discussion covers diverse forms of engagement, from memes and social movements to participatory budgeting. Erranti also explores the effects of individualism on youth participation and underscores the role of social media in shaping collective activism amidst contemporary societal challenges.
The concept of 'doing society' expands the understanding of youth political engagement from traditional to innovative and informal methods.
Cultural contexts significantly influence how young people navigate and participate in democracy, reflecting broader global trends in activism.
Deep dives
Transitioning Work Platforms
The shift from traditional work platforms to more user-friendly options highlights the frustration users face with outdated systems. Many employees experience issues such as endless onboarding and constant IT bottlenecks, prompting the search for more efficient solutions. New platforms, like Monday.com, are praised for their customization options and appealing interfaces, making the transition feel effortless and beneficial. This reflects a broader desire for tools that genuinely meet the dynamic needs of modern workplaces.
Youth Participation in Democracy
The concept of youth participation in democracy is explored through a comprehensive, culturally informed lens. Researchers aimed to understand the cultural structures and tools that facilitate political action among young people, particularly within Finnish society. This approach prioritizes a holistic understanding of political engagement rather than merely focusing on specific movements or groups. By experimenting with diverse methodologies, including ethnography and computational analysis, the study captures the complexities of youth participation in a changing political landscape.
Theoretical Framework and Approaches
The research employs an integrative theoretical framework combining American cultural sociology and European pragmatist traditions. Key concepts like civic imagination and regimes of engagement provide insight into how young people understand and navigate political participation. The framework highlights the importance of considering both individual and collective actions, as well as the cultural contexts that shape these behaviors. This establishes a foundation for understanding how societal dynamics influence the political landscape and youth involvement.
Relevance Beyond Nordic Contexts
While the study is rooted in Finnish political culture, its findings resonate with global patterns of youth participation and activism. The research underscores that many contemporary issues, such as climate activism and individualism, transcend cultural boundaries and are present in various societal contexts. The experiences of young activists, including their frustrations with established participatory structures, reflect larger global trends in political engagement. This broader relevance suggests that the insights gained can inform discussions about democracy and youth involvement in diverse settings.
How do young people participate in democratic societies? Youth Participation and Democracy: Cultures of Doing Society (Bristol UP, 2024) introduces the concept of ‘doing society’ as a new theory of political action. Focused on Finnish youth, it innovatively blends cutting-edge empirical research with agenda-setting theoretical development. Redefining political action, the authors expand beyond traditional public-sphere, scaling from formal to informal and unconventional modes of engaging. The book captures diverse engagement from memes to social movements, from participatory budgeting to street parties and from sleek politicians to detached people in the margins. In doing so, it provides a holistic view of the ways in which young people participate (or do not participate) in society, and their role in cultural change.