Conceptually, political involvement refers to citizens? political attitudes, knowledge and participation. To assess the perceived legitimacy of democratic regimes, political sociologists mostly draw inferences from comparative or longitudinal population surveys which allow them to analyze democratic societies over time or with each other. For example, political support is considered to be a corner stone of any legitimate and well-functioning democratic regime. Despite deviating views on the required level of political support, scholars by and large agree that a minimum amount of political trust is needed for stable and efficient democratic systems. As a consequence, any potential sign of eroding political support, such as declining voter turnouts, the loss of members of political parties or increasing political cynicism or apathy, has become the subject of contested scholarly debates.

Similarly, political participation is considered to be part and parcel of democratic societies. And yet the interrelationship between the legitimacy of political rule and the ?universe? of political participation is complex. While high turnout levels at national elections, for example, are an essential ingredient of legitimizing governments and their policies, noninstitutionalized forms of participation, such as protest activities or boycotts, may be perceived as a threat to incumbent political parties or even the democratic regime as a whole.

This seminar will address the full conceptual range with its contradictions, and investigate the empirical state of affairs in European societies and beyond.

Sciences Po Grenoble - UGA awards credits based on the ECTS system. Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course. CEA CAPA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by Sciences Po Grenoble - UGA (2 ECTS credits equals 1 U.S. credit therefore, 5 ECTS credits is equivalent to 2.5 U.S. credits).