IMPORTANCE OF POLITICAL AWARENESS TO THE YOUTH

For political systems to be representative and authoritative, all parts of society must be
included. When young people are disenfranchised or disengaged from political processes, a
significant portion of the population has little or no voice or influence in decisions that
directly affect their lives. A key consequence is the undermining of political systems’
representativeness. To make a difference in the longer term, it is essential that young people
are engaged in formal political processes and have a say in formulating today’s and
tomorrow’s politics, and make their voices heard loud and clear. Inclusive political
participation is not only a fundamental political and democratic right but also is crucial to
building stable and peaceful societies and developing policies that respond to the specific
needs of younger generations. For young people to be adequately represented in political
institutions, processes, and decision-making, and in particular in elections, they must know
their rights and be given the necessary knowledge and capacity to participate in a meaningful
way at all levels.
When there are obstacles to participating in formal, institutionalized political processes,
young people can rapidly feel disempowered. Many tend to believe that their voices are not
going to be heard or that they will not be taken seriously even if they are heard. The problem
becomes circular as politicians may lose interest in responding to the aspirations of young
people if they cannot win their votes. This in turn leads to young people being increasingly
excluded from taking part in decision-making, or in debates about key socio-economic and
political issues, despite their sensitivity to the demands for social equity and justice,
environmental protection, and cultural diversity. In new and emerging democracies, like in
Ukraine the inclusion of young people in formal political processes is important from the
start. Young people’s active contributions can bring democratic values to life, leading to the
overturning of authoritarian practices. For example, the Euromaidan protest, which leads to
the 2014 Ukrainian revolution. In countries where young people have led protests that have
forced authoritarian regimes from power, they are likely to feel significant frustration if they
are not included in new formal decision-making procedures. This can destabilize
democratization and accelerate conflict dynamics.
And what I believe as a youth myself is that the present younger generation knows their
power and what can happen if it’s used correctly. But still, most of them think it’s someone
else’s battle and not theirs to fight. One thing they don’t understand is that it affects their own
life indirectly in many ways.

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o.tuliakov@uabs.sumdu.edu.ua

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Коментарі: 0Публікації: 233Реєстрація: 15-11-2021

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