Transforming Civil Society Engagement into Democratic Action: Political Socialization Dynamics of Rural Youths in Germany

Research on democratic transitions highlights concerning trends, including declining political participation, rising populism, and reduced trust in institutions. These studies often focus on nation-state levels or urban/metropolitan areas as paradigmatic places of the political. In contrast, our research centers on young people aged 18-27 in remote rural areas—an overlooked but democratically crucial population. This group plays a vital role as future social actors and thought leaders.

Recent elections in the European Union (EU) and its member states show that rural youth are particularly responsive to societal transformations and often considered vulnerable to anti-democratic rhetoric. However, they also contribute significantly to their communities through local civic engagement. Our study explores how and why youth in remote German border regions develop meaningful social commitments and how this civic engagement translates into political participation responsive to democratic challenges and social transformation.

We present initial findings from a "politography," an innovative interdisciplinary approach combining ethnographic observations, narrative interviews, group discussions, and participatory methods like photo-voice. This approach offers a comprehensive view of how rural youth perceive political issues, their community roles, and the influence of digital and in-person interactions on their democratic engagement. From a socio-psychological perspective, we investigate the emotional appeal of democratic participation, asking what makes everyday democratic engagement emotionally compelling.

By focusing on (often ambivalent) emotional experiences that can strengthen (or threaten) democratic life, we aim to move beyond discussions of democratic discomfort. Our presentation contributes to current debates on the role of local, regional, and global factors in political socialization and addresses knowledge gaps regarding these processes in rural contexts.