This document is also available in PDF version [485k]. Ideal for printing or reading offline.

Authors:

A/Professor Murray Print, Centre for Research & Teaching in Civics, University of Sydney

Dr. Larry Saha, Reader in Sociology, ANU

Dr Kathy Edwards as Senior Research Associate, CRTC, University of Sydney

Date:

October 2005

Contents

• Introduction
  • Project Objectives
• Political engagement and “Active Citizenship”
• School Students and Political Engagement
  • Student Political Actions
  • Gender Differences In Political Actions
  • Student Support of Social Movements
• The Students Speak Out about Political Activism in Group Interviews
  • Exhibit 1: Protest Activity and Empowerment
  • Exhibit 2: The Ineffectiveness of Protest Activity
  • Exhibit 3: No Protest Activity at Saint Margaret’s College
• Are Students Who Are Politically Engaged More Likely to Vote?
  • Political Activism and Intention to Vote
  • Support for Social Movements and the Intention to Vote
  • Other Civic/Political Behaviours and the Intention to Vote
  • Student Government in Schools and the Intention to Vote
• The Students Speak Out About School Elections in Group Interviews
  • Exhibit 4: The Positive Side of School Elections
  • Exhibit 5: The Negative Side of School Elections
  • Exhibit 6: School Elections and the Link with Government Elections
  • Exhibit 7: School Elections and Democracy
• Implications of Our Findings for Policies to Increase Commitment to Voting, and Political Engagement Generally
  • Student political activity and voting intentions
  • Student elections and student government
• Conclusion and References