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Comparative Political Studies
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Tomorrow’s Leaders?

Understanding the Involvement of Young Party Members in Six European Democracies

Michael Bruter

London School of Economics and Political Science

Sarah Harrison

London School of Economics and Political Science

Using a mass survey of young members of 15 parties in six European democracies, this article explores their motivations, perceptions, attitudes, and behavior. In a context of general disenchantment with politics and febrile participation, particularly among young citizens, this article explains why a large number of youngsters still decide to get involved in one of the most traditional forms of activism: party membership. The study uses a comparative survey of 2,919 young party members ages 18 to 25 and shows that they fit into three categories: moral-, social-, and professional-minded. Young party members significantly differ in terms of their perceptions, preferences, behavior, and desired future involvement. The findings shed unprecedented light on the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s political leaders, a subgroup of professional-minded young party members who distinguish themselves from the majority of ideologically driven, moral-minded activists and some less motivated, disciplined, and reliable social-minded members.

Key Words: political parties • party members • young people • activism • Europe • socialization • survey

This version was published on October 1, 2009

Comparative Political Studies, Vol. 42, No. 10, 1259-1290 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0010414009332463
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