The Politics of Individualization
19 Pages Posted: 22 May 2014 Last revised: 19 Sep 2014
Date Written: 2014
Abstract
Claims are being made that politics is becoming increasingly 'individualised'. By this, some writers are suggesting that both the mode and levels of of political participation are changing. Whilst this paper does not reject the 'individualization thesis', it does seek to contextualise and challenge this to some extent. First, the paper argues that the empirical base for the individualization thesis is, at best, mixed. The paper surveys some key participation indicators in Britain and Australia. This problem is compounded by the proponents of individualisation, such as Ulrich Beck, who do not provide sufficient clues as to the appropriate indicators. Second, traditional typologies of participation can be used to lend support for the individualization thesis, but they risk simplifying our understanding of what is individualised and what is collectivised.
Keywords: political participation, individualization, civic culture
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