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Political Participation as an Engine of Social Solidarity: A Sceptical View

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  • Shlomi Segall

Abstract

Political theorists sometimes advocate the intensification of citizens’ participation in politics, on the grounds that this serves as an engine for the cultivation of social solidarity and civic virtue. I argue against such an initiative and set out the case for a more nuanced examination of the effect of particular modes of political participation on social solidarity, in light of recent empirical literature. Against the assertions of the theorists in question, the research reveals that political participation per se does not cultivate the said virtues, whereas entrusting citizens with deliberating and deciding specific policy issues (specifically in the form of citizens’ juries or CJs) does. Finally, it is argued that there is a rather limited scope to the implementation of deliberative bodies of the kind that cultivates solidarity. Consequently, intensifying political participation is not a reliable means through which social solidarity can be cultivated.

Suggested Citation

  • Shlomi Segall, 2005. "Political Participation as an Engine of Social Solidarity: A Sceptical View," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 53(2), pages 362-378, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:polstu:v:53:y:2005:i:2:p:362-378
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9248.2005.00533.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Warren, Mark E., 1996. "Deliberative Democracy and Authority," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 90(1), pages 46-60, March.
    2. Hirschman, Albert O., 1985. "Against Parsimony: Three Easy Ways of Complicating some Categories of Economic Discourse," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(1), pages 7-21, April.
    3. Graham Smith & Corinne Wales, 2000. "Citizens' Juries and Deliberative Democracy," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 48(1), pages 51-65, March.
    4. Elster,Jon & Moene,Karl O. (ed.), 1989. "Alternatives to Capitalism," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521378154.
    5. Muller, Edward N. & Seligson, Mitchell A., 1994. "Civic Culture and Democracy: The Question of Causal Relationships," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 88(3), pages 635-652, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Kotzian, 2014. "Good Governance and Norms of Citizenship: An Investigation into the System- and Individual-Level Determinants of Attachment to Civic Norms," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(1), pages 58-83, January.
    2. repec:eid:wpaper:11/10 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. P M Dawson & Philip Jones, 2010. "How are They Spending my Taxes? Tax Compliance and Citizens’ Interest in Politics," Department of Economics Working Papers 11/10, University of Bath, Department of Economics.

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