Differences in anti-partyism among student youth, single youth, and young adults

Abstract

This research investigates anti-partyism among young people, i.e., their rejection of political parties. For this purpose, responses from youth aged 16 to 29 concerning the evaluation of political parties and democratic institutions were systematized using data from the ESEB database (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022). The study shows that rejection of parties varies among student youth, single youth (who are already working), and young adults (who work and have their own family nucleus), classified according to the dynamics of production (labor market integration) and reproduction (family formation) in their lives. This phenomenon can be explained by young adults’ closer alignment with the adult-centric world, with its norms (institutionalized politics) and opportunities (such as activism within parties). The results also demonstrated that adult-centrism and reactive anti-party sentiment are central elements for understanding young people’s rejection of political parties.

Keywords
Youth: Anti-partyism; Youth condition; Political culture