Center for the Study of Democracy

This study examines respondents’ beliefs about political, social and civic duty components of “good citizenship,” three modes of political engagement (party membership, voting and activism), and the relationship between beliefs and participation across three geopolitical regions (Eastern Europe, Western Europe and Western non-European states). Based on theories of democracy, voting, and institutionalism, we explore cross-regional patterns and differences. Eastern Europeans are far less engaged in political activism, and all the regions differ widely in beliefs about “good citizenship.” Western non-Europeans generally focus on the civic duty and political components of citizenship. We find that the perceived importance of civic duties is negatively related to all forms of participation, whereas the opposite is true of the political citizenship beliefs. Stronger social citizenship beliefs are positively associated with political activism but negatively with institutional forms of participation. The relationship between beliefs and behavior differed markedly across regions, and although Western respondents are relatively similar in linking their beliefs to their political engagement, links tend to be stronger among Non-Europeans. The relationship between citizenship beliefs and participation was often weakest among Eastern Europeans. Conclusions about the subjective and variable nature of democratic citizenship and implications for democratic expansion in developing nations are discussed.