Following each election, it is always desirable, if not essential, to evaluate the results in the light of the level of citizen participation, in particular that of young people. Despite the non-availability of data for 2022, it seems that we should again anticipate a still high abstention rate on the part of 18 to 24 year olds, and it seems interesting to us to look into this reality by analyzing the statistics. of the last five elections (2007 to 2018) to better understand the evolution of the abstention rate of young people in this fundamental exercise of democracy.
In order to be able to clearly identify the dynamics and extent of this disconcerting behavior among young citizens, we have used certain official data. All the basic data was provided to us by Élections Québec and by the Research Chair in Democracy and Parliamentary Institutions at Université Laval. As for the table of abstentions prepared for the purposes of this reflection, it was compiled from these original data.
That said, what conclusions should we draw concerning young people aged 18 to 24?
First, the rate of abstention among young people (women 44.80% and men 50.75%) is still on average significantly higher than that of all citizens (31.77%).
Then, the abstention rate of young men is, at each election, always higher than that of young women.
Finally, when the abstention rate of all registered citizens tends to fluctuate, positively or negatively, those of young women and young men evolve systematically in the same direction.
We are certainly justified in being seriously concerned about the advent of negative consequences when approximately half of our young people abstain from voting, which is nevertheless the first fundamental gesture in a representative democracy. Must we remember that the first civic duty is to assume the responsibility of designating those who will represent the population and govern in its name?
If too many citizens (31.77%) do not feel sufficiently responsible and questioned about the role they must assume in democracy, it is even more unfortunate to have to note that more than half of the next generation of citizens (50, 75%), young people, do not consider it relevant to vote. In such a context, is it not difficult to foresee with optimism the future of our democracy?
The causes of abstention among 18 to 24 year olds
Among the causes invoked by young people to try to explain or justify their behavior of abstention, we can think of the lack of interest in participating in political life within the framework of formal institutions which arouse mistrust, disillusion, cynicism and frustration. Added to this is the lack of motivation to join political parties in which they do not easily recognize themselves and whose excessive partisanship puts them off, as well as the perception of political struggles that are not very effective in terms of improving society.
We can also cite the often casual treatment of fundamental subjects by leaders in place who lack credibility, who inspire little confidence and who are rather incapable of proposing exciting visions of the future. This, not to mention that young people are the biggest users of social networks, which very often do not constitute reliable and balanced sources of information.
However, we should not conclude that young people are disinterested by an excess of individualism in the various problems that affect the lives of our fellow citizens and our communities. On the contrary, many have concerns or interests for particular causes that may inspire them to become actively involved in order to lobby the community and politicians. With their desire and their will to be able to project themselves into the future, they seek to invent various forms of action, outside traditional political institutions, in order to be able to fulfill their needs for commitment and activism.
Faced with the expectations of young people and their need to believe that it is possible to change the world and to do politics differently, sociopolitical leaders should make a serious examination of their conscience. Urgent societal reflection is needed on ways to integrate young people into our democratic deliberations by taking advantage of their desire to build a better tomorrow. The vitality and quality of our democratic life would certainly be enriched.
A priority component, citizenship education
It must be said and said bluntly again: education is one of the most important factors in fostering civic engagement and helping all individuals to give meaning to their lives and to their status as citizens. “Education is […] less the consequence of democracy than its source”, recalls Cynthia Fleury in The Pathologies of Democracy (Fayard, 2005). Incidentally, it was one of the main recommendations of the Estates General on the reform of democratic institutions in Quebec held in the winter of 2003. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for the prescribed turnaround.
To properly prepare all individuals living in society and those who will have to take over tomorrow, we must better prepare young and old to become responsible and supportive citizens for the common good. An approach allowing the transmission of democratic values and a sense of responsibility can help young people think about the current reality in all its complexity by promoting the development of more nuanced and critical thinking.
Improving human capital is the basis for hoping that the young people of the next generation can be better prepared to face the future. Without the direct involvement of all of its citizens, a democracy cannot claim to be healthy.
By making our fellow citizens grow in this way, we will understand that this is the best strategy for combating fanaticism, the excessive radicalization of opinions, populism and civic dropouts. Above all, let’s not neglect this investment in the future, because it holds out the future for democracy.
It is in this spirit that we hope to stimulate reflection and debate on what citizenship education should be and on certain very interesting experiments underway at the national and international levels, particularly with regard to the use of philosophy with young people.