EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Civic Engagement and Local Government: A Literature Review

Civic Engagement and Local Government: A Literature Review

Introduction

As part of a project to support local councils in promoting democratic participation, the review looks at links between local government, social capital and effective citizenship, and proposes the key issues to address in supporting community engagement.

Description

This literature review has been produced as part of the ODPM research project Civic Education: good practice guidance for local government.

The review applies the available evidence from within and beyond the UK to UK policy debates about citizenship and local decision-making. It begins by describing the theoretical and policy context surrounding the goal of effective citizenship, outlining recent educative or empowerment initiatives designed to encourage its development.

Empirical evidence on the outcomes, practice and purposes of initiatives to promote citizenship is then explored, before prospects for civic education and the future support of effective citizenship are hypothesised.

Background information

This literature review has been produced as part of the ODPM research project Civic Education: good practice guidance for local government. This is one aspect of wider government efforts to encourage the development of active citizenship.

The focus of the study lies outside the schools-based Citizenship Education programme that is part of the National Curriculum, though activities supporting and extending the curriculum do fall within its remit.

Methodology

A literature review was undertaken around civic engagement and local government.

Conclusions

Opportunities for school pupils to connect school-based learning with participation in the community are weakly developed at present.
Young people with higher levels of civic knowledge are more confident of participating effectively in politics as adults.
While levels of social capital have a positive relationship with political action and civic efficacy, institutional design within local governance can play a large role in shaping communal social capital.
There is evidence that local government strategies centring on information, participation and reputation can reduce cynicism about politics.
There is evidence that initiatives which empower communities have positive impacts.

Contact info

Communities and Local Government
Analytical.Services@communities.gsi.gov.uk

Publication date

Project finished

//2006

Researcher

Rhys Andrews and Richard Cowell, Centre for Local and Regional Government Research, Cardiff University

Links

Visit the Communities and Local Government website

Download the "Civic Engagement and Local Government" Report (PDF, Eng, 331 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Keywords

Education, Community development