About the author:
As a politically conscious youth leader in India, Renee enjoys delving into solutions for helping others through the areas of Economics and Public Policy. Her academic pursuit towards improving her community has fueled her journey in understanding society’s legal frameworks of operation. She is keen on becoming a lawyer in the future, thereby positioning her in an influential sphere of creating positive impacts in society.
Abstract
This paper explores the critical role of young people in shaping the democratic landscape of India. It examines the current state of youth political participation and identifies barriers that hinder their active involvement. With references to successful global models, the paper proposes a set of holistic policy solutions aimed at fostering greater political engagement among Indian youth. These include educational reforms, digital engagement strategies and institutional support mechanisms. The study also highlights the societal benefits of increased youth participation such as more representative governance, enhanced accountability, and the promotion of innovative solutions for socio-economic policy issues. The findings underscore the potential for youth-driven political renewal and the importance of creating an enabling environment for the next generation of leaders in India.
Introduction
Society’s progress is sustained and steered by political involvement of young people. Large-scale engagement of youth in policy issues leads to a mosaic of viewpoints, promotes intergenerational dialogue, nurtures civic duty, and builds it into the national ethos. Societies may use youthful energies, ingenuity, and enthusiasm to address pressing issues, foster favourable changes, and develop more equitable and sustainable settlements (Balakrishnan, 2015). Hence, it is essential to appreciate and encourage youth engagement in politics to promote inclusive democratic policies and enhance societal development.
Youth political involvement refers to the proactive participation of today’s younger generation in different political processes such as voting, advocacy, community organising, and standing for elections (Gidengil et al, 2003). The political participation of the younger generation involves individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 actively participating in shaping the decision-making processes and regulations that will affect the country. India’s enormous population of over 1.4 billion people has an average age of 28 years, and 68% of its citizens are considered youth (Blomkvist, 2003). However, most of the country’s educated youth have distanced themselves from the political Census of India, 2011). To change this for the upcoming generations and to influence more political involvement from the youth, their interests and motivations must be developed.
This research paper aims to highlight the importance of youth political engagement and proposes policy measures to enhance their participation. It explores the advantages of creating policies to promote youth political involvement in India. It also examines the current state of youth engagement in Indian politics, identifies core barriers to participation and proposes innovative policy recommendations to foster greater involvement. Through a review of existing literature on youth political involvement and global best practices, it proposes that increased youth political engagement can lead to more representative governance, innovative policy solutions and strengthened democratic processes.
The Importance of Youth Participation in Indian Politics
When preserving future generations, it is essential to involve young people in politics so that they can have an outlet for their ideas, fears, or wishes. This is crucial because a country considers what its children think about political matters, establishing regulations and processes of governance. Young people’s active participation in politics makes them more likely to work towards shaping their societies, enhancing their sense of empowerment and self-fulfilment (Nilsen et al, 2019).
One of the benefits of youth participation in politics is promoting a culture of civic involvement and responsibility in youth. It ensures that young people help improve their society’s lives. Political involvement enables critical thinking and comprehension of democratic principles and promotes solidarity and civic duty among them at this stage (Norris, 2002). They, therefore, become active stakeholders in the democratic process through political activities such as voting, volunteering, and advocacy, among others, aimed at maintaining social union and strengthening democracy.
Youth involvement in political processes also helps to design policies aimed at the interests of young people today with a focus on future generations. Active engagement in electioneering campaigns, lobbying, and grassroots mobilisation enables youth to shape priority setting, influencing the direction and outcomes of political decisions (Attri & Mishra, 2020). This approach values the unique experiences, beliefs, needs, and wants that young people bring to bear on policy development that works for all, including those marginalised by society’s changing conditions.
In India, there have been several instances of youth-led political initiatives that have made significant impacts not only on India’s politics but also on the people. Notably, one of the most significant movements is the “India Against Corruption”(IAC), passed in 2011 by social activists Anna Hazar and Arvind Kejriwal. It is a revolutionary movement that worked to fight against corruption to establish the Lokpal Bill. IAC became viral on social media and gained massive support from young people (Attri & Mishra, 2020).
Furthermore, the National Youth Policy of India was launched in February 2014. It has now become the driving force for a transformative process in India’s Politics, encouraging more and more youth to become a part of change in India. India is one of the youngest democracies in the world, with more than 65% of its population under the age of 35 years, but the percentage of young MPs is just 13% in the parliament (Blomkvist, 2003).
Youth involvement in electoral procedures has been instrumental in shaping politics and ensuring accountability. For instance, young voters in South Korea and Taiwan have become vital actors during the national election process, supporting progressive candidates and advocating for youth-based policies. Moreover, actions like voter registration campaigns, sponsoring debates between candidates, and peer groups’ roles have played a crucial part in increasing the number of young voters participating in politics globally, bringing about more representative democracy (Shastri, Kumar & Sisodia, 2021).
Youth involvement in politics inculcates a culture of civic engagement and responsibility by urging young people to contribute actively to the welfare and development of their societies. Through political participation, the youth acquire critical thinking faculties, learn more about democratic principles, and mature into responsible citizens possessing a sense of public duty (Zukin et al. 2006). By participating in political activities such as voting, volunteering, and advocacy, young people become active stakeholders in the democratic process, thus promoting social cohesion while strengthening democratic institutions.
Barriers Against Youth Political Engagement in India
Obstacles to youth participation in politics include age restrictions on candidates and voters and institutional barriers placed by government regulations. Various political systems have implemented age-related requirements that prevent youths from becoming candidates or even voters; this way, they are excluded from critical decision-making processes. Additionally, institutional frameworks and procedures may lack transparency, inclusivity, or accessibility, posing challenges for young people seeking to navigate or engage with these systems effectively. Taking inspiration from successful models like that of Turkey, lowering the age of eligibility to run for office could potentially reduce the gap between voting and candidacy demographics among youth in India (Blais, 2006).
The government should pass laws enabling the creation of quotas for youth in Parliament, state and local level legislative bodies. As in Rwanda, reserving seats at the constitutional or legislative level can institutionalize youth participation in politics (Gidengil et al, 2003). Legal candidate quotas can potentially encourage central units to fill a certain percentage of their candidate lists with those belonging to youth. Subsequently, voluntary political party quotas can be enacted wherein political parties must reserve some positions for youth.
Political illiteracy amongst young people is the most significant barrier to taking an active political stand. Youth may not completely grasp the significance of political involvement, how political institutions work, or what rights and responsibilities come with their citizenship. Besides, inadequate civic education curricula in schools and limited opportunities for political discussion and debate may contribute to a lack of awareness about current events, public issues, and avenues for civic participation (Shastri, Kumar & Sisodia, 2021). Consequently, young people may be excluded from the country’s democratic process. To address this challenge, media houses should be incentivized by the government to provide young citizens opportunities to express their political opinions on TV and radio broadcast. Direct communication between the youth and lawmakers can be facilitated by institutional channels of dialogue over conflict resolution, feedback mechanisms and policy development (Sardesai, 2021). The government should create assessment tools to examine the extent to which national policies respond to the concerns and priorities expressed by youth.
Furthermore, youth participation in politics often faces cynicism and decisions by established political actors like political parties, government institutions, and traditional media. However, those sceptics may argue based on their youthfulness and inexperience, therefore not taking them as serious contenders (Nilsen et al, 2019). In addition, power structures in place and inherent factors related to age can discourage young people from participating actively without addressing the hindrances they face.
Youth involvement in politics would facilitate intergenerational dialogue and diversity of viewpoints, but overemphasising youth perspectives risks having negative implications. Notably, occasionally, policies adopted by such groups could lack the appropriate skills, expertise, or institutional backing required for dealing with complex policy issues or navigating political landscapes efficiently. At the same time, concentrating only on matters explicitly about younger people or generation rights might lead to the exclusion of other demographic groups, thereby failing to recognize the multiple dimensions of inequality and injustice.
Policy Recommendations
Youth-friendly policies should be implemented by the government to create an enabling environment for youth political participation. These could include changes in regulations to lower age limits for youth to run as candidates during elections and participate in voting processes. Youth councils or advisory boards that specifically focus on young people could also be established at the village or city level to deal with policy issues that directly affect them, creating institutional provisions for meaningful young people’s engagement in decision-making activities (Zukin et al. 2006). In addition, funding initiatives for helping youth start organisations or grassroots movements would give them the power to actively take part in shaping their nations.
Technology and social media platforms are also essential tools for increasing youth political involvement. Digital tools and platforms create opportunities for young people to express their opinions, garner support, and participate in political activities (Sardesai, 2021). When they come together through social media campaigns, online advocacy efforts, and digital storytelling, they can present more substantial cases, meet like-minded colleagues, and influence how the public speaks. Additionally, digital platforms can help facilitate voter registration and civic education programs, making it easier for young people to participate in politics.
Strengthening civic education and political awareness initiatives would also involve the development of comprehensive curricula on citizenship education in schools at all levels, as well as integrating these courses within civic organizations like youth clubs (Attri & Mishra, 2020). An excellent example of this integration is when young learners are taught democratic principles that guide them in differentiating right and wrong. These include concepts like human rights legislation, the provisions they must understand, and how they affect lives. Furthermore, educating them on being media literate and possessing critical thinking skills will enable them to discern trustworthy sources of information among others on their search engines within the internet era (Bang, 2005). Early development of political consciousness during childhood results in societies that breed generations capable of making informed decisions about issues affecting their countries, thereby ensuring effective domestic participation by citizens who know of the political ins and outs of their government.
Policymakers in India should also provide talented young graduates with hands-on experience in the world of public policy, equipping them with the necessary skills and exposure through paid internships at different levels of government. By encouraging formal policy involvement, the government provides means for youth to segue into politics effectively (PRIA, 2007). Incentives should be provided by public educational institutions for organizing and participating in political campaigns, thereby raising awareness about political subjects among youth.
Conclusion
A vital democracy with a socially inclusive structure calls for large-scale youth participation in politics, intergenerational dialogue promotion, and immediate citizen responses to emerging social issues. By allowing young people to participate actively in the political processes, societies can ensure a representation of different voices, create inclusive policies, and enhance democratic governance (Goutham, 2021). Governments, civil society organisations, educational institutions, and the private sector are all responsible for encouraging and supporting youngsters’ active engagement in politics. This will involve constructing inclusive spaces for young people to air their views, providing them with political education and leadership training, and eliminating obstacles hindering their participation in decision-making processes.
As young people become more organised and advocate for their rights and interests, they can transform political landscapes, challenge entrenched power systems, and take up transformative policies. So, by cultivating civic engagement, dialogue, and solidarity, societies can tap into the enthusiasm, ingenuity, and zeal of young leaders toward building a better future that is fairer, more participatory, and environmentally friendly to all. Therefore, investing in youth political engagement is not only a moral necessity but also a strategic one to foster resilient democracies that are participatory moving forward.
References
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