Political participation is undergoing profound transformation across democratic, authoritarian, and hybrid political systems. The GL10 “Rethinking Political Participation” track invites research that re-examines traditional forms of participation, such as voting and public protest. On the one hand, the track seeks to investigate how the meaning and practice of political participation are being redefined; on the other hand, it aims to explore evolving modes of political action, including online activism, civic engagement, and transnational mobilization. We are particularly interested in how technological and social change are reshaping who participates, how participation occurs, and the relationship between electoral politics, civic engagement, and collective action.
These transformations may be especially important for understanding how younger generations engage with politics in a changing media and communication landscape. More broadly, the track examines the implications of changing patterns of participation for democratic governance and political representation.
Under what circumstances might novel forms of participation enhance accountability, representation, and inclusion? Conversely, under what conditions might they exacerbate polarization, distrust, or political disengagement? Are these changes strengthening or weakening democratic governance? We welcome comparative and interdisciplinary research using qualitative case studies, quantitative cross-national analyses, experiments, and mixed methods approaches.
