Passive citizens? Understanding of citizenship, participation and democracy

The article compares active and passive citizenship. Based on data of the International Social Survey Programme, six countries are analyzed. Our interest focuses on the dominant understanding of citizenship as well as on patterns of political participation. Altogether, the survey demonstrates that the participation potential is not as low as is sometimes being reported in the media and public opinion polls. In reflection of a conventionally rather passive, legalistic understanding of citizenship (emphasising law-abiding behaviour), worries about a >> stable state << do not appear to be appropriate. Protest-oriented forms of political participation are more frequently chosen by people who are clearer interested in and more informed about politics as well as by people who have a pronounced social-altruistic understanding of citizenship (stressing the importance of helping). Therefore, critical citizens can be seen as resources for improving democracy.