Young People and Democracy: A Review

The Whitlam Government had a significant impact on the lives of young people in Australia and their relationship to democracy. In addition to lowering the voting age from 21 years to 18 years, Whitlam Government reforms led to the expansion of the social, political, economic and cultural citizenship of diverse young Australians. Forty years later the need to consider and strengthen the citizenship rights and relationship of young people to Australian democracy is no less important. While many young people today are engaged with politics – even leading movements such as the Global Climate Strikes – a 2019 Report Card on Children’s Rights in Australia found that Australians under the age of 18 feel they have no voice in this society (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2019). In the context of significant change, complexity and uncertainty in the ecology, economy and politics of Australia and the world, understanding and promoting the participation of young people in democracy is more critical to our future than ever. This review synthesises Australian and international research published between 2009 and 2019 on young people, democracy, citizenship and participation. Considering the way globalisation shapes youthful politics and citizenship, the review first looks at the international context and then considers the literature on the Australian experience. The review has adopted a broad approach: understanding democracy as constituted through institutions and procedures as well as civic cultures and practices that breach national boundaries. Moreover, as the experience of ‘youth’ is different among young people, in different settings and country contexts, and transitions from ‘childhood’ to ‘adulthood’ are becoming more complex, non-linear and drawn out, the review is inclusive of published research on the political views and practices of people aged 12 – 30.