Political participation: proselytization, pacific and aggressive participation. Structure and determinants

DELFINO, G. I.; MURATORI, M.; ZUBIETA, E. M.

Chicago

Congreso; 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP); 2012

International Society of Political Psychology

Political participation has been analyzed by its most common form of expression, the vote, for long time. However, voting is one among many resources available to influence political world. Political participation refers to those intentional actions, legal or not, developed by individuals and groups in order to support or question any of the various elements that conform politics field: decision-making, authorities and structures (Sabucedo, 1996). In this frame, two studies were conducted with the general objective of analyze the structure and determinants of political participation, based on college students convenience samples. In order to explore how political actions group together, a confirmatory factor analysis was carried out (Study 1, n = 496). Two opposite forms appear: proselytization (convincing others, attending political meetings, relating to politicians and campaigning) vs. mobilization or direct participation. The latter is clearly differentiated in pacific participation (attending demonstrations, participating in strikes and occupying buildings) and aggressive participation (damaging things and using personal violence). With the aim of analyze determinants of participation types, three regressions have been done (Study 2, n = 419). Results show that proselytization is explained by main activities done by participants, political interest, values and efficacy. Pacific participation is explained by action agreement, political interest and values. Finally, aggressive participation is explained by action agreement, gender, civic engagement, conformism and action efficacy.