Publication Type: Paper (prepared oral presentation)
Abstract: This paper is concerned with understanding two of the basic components of citizenship in young people from different ethnic groups: the relationship between trust in the political system, and willingness to participate in the political process. In particular, the paper focuses on understanding the role played by social psychological factors such as patterns of ethnic, national and religious identifications, the perception of injustice and perceptions of political efficacy. Using data obtained from young people – nationals and immigrants- from 3 regions of Spain (Basque Country, Catalonia and Canary Islands) measures of perceived injustice, perceived compatibility of ethnic/religious and national identities, political efficacy, political trust and political protest were analyzed. Results showed first several patterns of identity: national versus ethnic identity among the nationals (canarians vs basque and Catalans) and religious identity among the immigrants (maghrebians vs latin-americans). Second, clear relations between political trust and perception of injustice with political participation. Third, the relationship between injustice and political participation was mediated by the compatibility of identifications. Finally, theoretical implications of the differential findings for understanding political participation of nationals vs immigrants are discussed.