Youth Leadership and Participation in Political Processes

Abstract

Youth, the transition between childhood and early to middle adulthood, from a critical part of human existence, devoted to education, vocational skilling, career, marriage, and independent social participation. This makes the youth an interesting phase of encounter with institutions such as government, civil society, law, religion, and the economy. It also makes the youth an important stakeholder in the various policies and programs of the government of a nation. The political participation of the youth is, however, often subject to challenges such as apathy, misinformation, violence, anti-institutional sentiments, and lack of trust in the politics and institutional processes of the previous generations. Social media has also been a game-changer in youth politics—lending a platform to millions of youths to raise their voices but has been a major source of fake news and hate speech in youth politics. This chapter traces the recent trends in political participation of youth worldwide and in India, the factors influencing political participation of youth, and the policy interventions that encourage political activism among the youth in a way that is constructive and beneficial for the new generations. It also forwards interventions that may encourage youth participation in politics, train them in political processes, and ensure their active and informed participation in politics and policymaking.