Non-Formal Education and Political Participation in Post-Socialist Countries

Abstract

The relationship between educational fulfillment and political participation has been one of the most persistently studied subjects within the field (e.g., Berinsky and Lenz 2010). Previous studies define the positive relationship between education and political participation. It means that people who have a higher education are more likely to participate in politics than those who are less-educated. This includes both conventional and unconventional forms of participation, specifically voting and protesting (Huntington & Nelson 1976; Marsh 1990; & Dalton 2009). Falling in line with the previous research provided on the link between formal education and political participation, does non-formal education also produce similar outcomes? To understand the link between non-formal education and political participation, this study collects and explores empirical data in the post-socialist countries. With the data collected from the World Values Survey, the Eurostat Adult Education Survey, and the Eurostat Adult Education Survey in post-socialist countries, a correlation analysis between independent variable (job-related learning activities) and dependent variables (voting turnout and attending demonstration) are performed. The results of this study provide an insight into whether or not it is worth for the government to continue to administer the funds for non-formal education to consolidate a representative democracy in the post-socialist countries.