Civic (non)engagement
Main findings of the research project on citizenship empowerment and potential for civic participation in Visegrad countries (2017 & 2018). The study focused on mapping active citizenship levels and motivations for civic engagement based on perceptions and attitudes towards democracy, trust, social capital, and participation in political, non-profit, and community sectors.
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Civic (non)engagement Main findings of the research project Citizenship empowerment: potential for civic participation in the Visegrad countries, 2017 & 2018
Methodology Online Online quantitative research, quantitative research, CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviews) data collection method Representative population of age Representative population of age 16 16- -70 70 Conducted in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary Hungary. Total sample size in V4 n Total sample size in V4 n=20 =2032 32 (Czech Republic n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501). The sample was representative by sex, age, level of education representative by sex, age, level of education and size of settlement size of settlement. Fieldwork was realized in September 2017 national panel and Polish national panel and IPSOS in Hungary. September 2017 by Czech national panel ( NP) in cooperation with Slovakian The project was coordinated by STEM Public Affairs, Public Affairs, Poland and Political STEM, , Czech Republic, with participation of IVO Political Capital Capital, , Hungary. IVO, , Slovakia, Institute of Institute of The project was enabled by a standard grant from the International Visegrad Fund implementation period of January 2017 January 2018. International Visegrad Fund during the Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakian=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
Conceptual framework The aim of the research was to map the level of active citizenship become active participants of democratic process in V4 countries. the level of active citizenshipand explore the motivations of individuals to Our starting point was, that democracy is is an activity of citizens who share common values and experiences share common values and experiences. We have devided our findings into key areas that might influence each other. democracy is not a matter of structures and institutions but it is a state of mind, a state of mind, it Perception of current situation Perception of current situation (satisfaction, evaluation of democracy, trust, social capital etc.) which creates the predispositions, the ability and willingness to participate. General civic and political attitudes General civic and political attitudes (attitudes towards democracy, special cohesion, importance and needs connected to the public space and politics etc. ) that stands behind the participation and drive the motivation to engage. Both perception of the situation and the values that stand beyond the attitudes can influence the civic engagement. engagement. We have measured some form of participation on political life, non participation on political life, non- -profit sector and the community life community life. civic profit sector and the Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
The perception of the current situation in V4 countries
V4 citizens are not sure whether their countries are heading in the right direction. In general, do you think that the situation in the your country is moving in the right direction or in the wrong one 10% 11% 12% 12% 16% 57% 63% 61% 57% 66% 31% 27% 27% 27% 22% V4 Czech Slovakia Poland Hungary Right direction Wrong direction DK Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
The majority of them are not satisfied with the political situation. Are you personally satisfied with the current political situation in your country 25% 34% 34% 37% 42% 49% 30% 39% 29% 47% 22% 24% 20% 20% 14% 7% 3% V4 3% 2% 1% Czech Slovakia Poland Hungary Very satisfied Rather satisfied Rather dissatisfied Not satisfied at all Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
The trust towards national political representation is low across the region. People trust mostly to the local representatives. Trust (mean score) Czech Slovakia 1,31 2,2 2,3 2,9 2,5 2,6 2,5 3,2 3,2 3,3 3,1 3,1 3,3 V4 1,36 2,4 2,4 2,6 2,6 2,7 2,7 2,7 2,8 3,0 3,1 3,1 3,3 Poland 1,39 2,3 2,4 2,3 2,5 2,6 3,0 2,4 2,5 2,9 3,0 3,1 3,3 Hungary 1,39 2,4 2,4 2,4 2,9 2,6 3,0 2,3 2,4 2,9 3,1 3,2 3,3 Firemen Police Your local government Non-Governmental organizations President of your country Courts Public media European Commission European Parliament Church Government your country Parliament your country Political parties 1,35 2,6 2,6 2,9 2,5 3,0 2,3 2,9 2,9 3,0 3,1 3,1 3,4 Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
More than half on the sample perceived politics in a very negative way. It is better not to engage in politics because you could get your fingers burnt 14% 13% 13% 15% 19% 25% 28% 28% 26% 24% 33% 38% 34% 35% 30% 18% 18% 17% 15% 15% V4 Czech Slovakia Poland Hungary Agree strongly Tend to agree Tend to disagree Disagree strongly DK Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
Can democracy exists without a trust to the key players, to the political representatives? More than half of citizens of V4 countries is afraid about the state of democracy and it is a long term trend with no significant improvement. Democracy in your country is fragile and can be easily threatened Democracy in Czech Republic is fragile and can be easily threatened 100 % 14% 13% 13% 15% 76 80 19% 71 70 68 68 67 66 25% 28% 64 28% 26% 24% 60 33% 38% 34% 35% 30% 40 32 18% 18% 17% 15% 15% 23 23 21 21 17 17 17 20 V4 Czech Slovakia Poland Hungary Definitely agree Rather disagree Don t know, no answer Rather agree Definitely disagree 0 94/12 97/12 99/12 01/12 04/12 05/12 08/12 09/12 ur it souhlas m + sp e souhlas m definitely+rather agree ur it souhlas m Definitely agree Long term perspective on Czech Republic, Source STEM Trendy 2001-2008 V4 perspective, August 2017 Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
V4 countries even tend to support the government of experts since they are not satisfied with the state of democracy. Willingness to support the government of experts vs. Dissatisfaction with democracy Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
Unfortunately, even the interpersonal trust is low across the region. Thus the level of social capital which enables and motivates to engage in politics and public life is rather low. Generally speaking, would you say people can be trusted or would you say that you cannot be too sure when dealing with people. 7% 15% 17% 23% 23% 52% 54% 54% 55% 56% 38% 25% 25% 19% 18% 4% 2% 2% 1% 1% V4 Czech Slovakia Poland Hungary You almost never can be sure when dealing with people Country You usually can t be too sure when dealing with people People can usually be trusted People can almost always be trusted (B ze: Celkov vzorek V4 n=2032, R n=510, SR n=516, Polsko n=505,Ma arsko n=501). Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
It is translated into attitude, that citizens of V4 countries are not motivated to express their opinions publicly. In the current regime everyone can have their opinion heard and at least contribute a little to resolving public and political issues 16% 22% 26% 28% 37% 35% 34% 33% 31% 32% 36% 30% 28% 24% 22% 11% 10% 9% 9% 4% V4 Czech Slovakia Poland Hungary Agree strongly Tend to agree Tend to disagree Disagree strongly DK Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
And the vast majority of citizens across V4 countries feel rather powerless when it comes to politics. Power is exclusively in the hands of the politicians and the average person is totally powerless 5% 3% 6% 6% 7% 11% 14% 14% 17% 15% 31% 33% 32% 31% 33% 52% 46% 45% 42% 40% V4 Czech Slovakia Poland Hungary Agree strongly Tend to agree Tend to disagree Disagree strongly DK Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
The dissatisfaction with political situation is apparent in two different ways as a frustration where people feel powerless or as an escape to happy life where people do not care about the public space. Non of them has a positive effect on active participation. Overall satisfaction (mean on scale from 1 - very satisfied to 4 - very dissatisfied) Political situation leads to frustration (less educated and older people) 4.00 3.17 3.13 3.09 3.05 3.04 3.01 3.01 2.84 3.00 2.69 2.60 2.40 2.27 2.24 2.15 2.14 And escape to happy life on the other hand (high educated and younger people) 2.00 1.00 0.00 V4 Czech Slovakia Poland Hungary Satisfaction with political situation Satisfaction with economic situation Satosfaction with own life Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
What do we perceived as important? What do we perceived as important? Declared importance (mean score on a scale from 1 (not important at all) to 5 (the most important) Czech R. 4,32 4,21 4,29 4,26 4,22 4,14 4,17 3,92 4,21 3,98 4,09 3,94 3,49 3,18 3,29 3,42 3,32 3,15 2,90 2,79 2,66 2,40 2,05 1,73 Slovakia 4,54 4,38 4,27 4,42 4,34 4,13 4,34 4,26 4,05 4,14 4,15 3,66 4,04 3,81 3,63 3,40 3,76 3,55 3,28 3,18 3,02 2,88 2,26 2,03 Poland 4,30 4,37 4,37 4,26 4,44 4,45 4,11 4,30 3,97 4,11 4,01 4,12 3,88 3,87 3,65 3,60 3,29 3,40 3,34 3,16 3,59 2,92 2,22 2,44 Hungary 4,63 4,69 4,69 4,58 4,45 4,61 4,45 4,33 4,40 4,34 4,18 4,51 4,38 4,45 3,97 3,87 3,83 3,97 3,55 3,86 3,44 3,19 2,34 2,60 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Having the courage to express one s views publicly 11. Regularly voting in elections 12. Paying attention to equal opportunities for women and men 13. Trying not to buy unethical or non-ecological good 14. Promoting a social system that encourages those who are not financially well-off 15. Participating in community life 16. Following international developments globally 17. Understanding political life 18. Engaging publicly and addressing serious political and social problems 19. Engaging in dialogue with political representatives 20. Participating in petitions, signing lists 21. Participating in lawful demonstrations and marches 22. Voluntary work, engaging with NGOs 23. Helping refugees and immigrants 24. Engaging within a political party Protecting the environment Behaving courteously in public spaces with respect to others Acting with regard to future generations Keeping public spaces clean and pleasant to live in Reacting to injustice and discrimination Guaranteed equal opportunities for all members of society Developing an independent opinion Helping others, those in need Being knowledgeable about democratic rules and processes, civil rights Respect for the environment Democratic consciousness Solidarity and voluntary work Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection (B ze: R n=510, SR n=516, Polsko n=505,Ma arsko n=501).
Citizens across V4 countries prefer rather passive ways of participation. The engagement in public life and politics in last 5 years (%) Czech Republic V4 Slovakia Poland Hungary Signing a petition 55% 50% 67% 51% 53% Passive Participating in online petition, online protest 43% 44% 46% 46% 37% Sharing or expressing ideas on important public issues 37% 36% 38% 43% 31% Contacting your local political representative or politician 20% 17% 24% 24% 15% Supporting crowdfunding campaigns 20% 16% 37% 12% 15% Active Taking part in a lawful demonstration 20% 14% 19% 22% 25% Participation at political meetings 18% 16% 25% 14% 17% Striking 10% 7% 19% 9% 6% Taking part in a political protest organization 10% 9% 12% 14% 6% Organizes Membership in a political party 5% 5% 6% 5% 6% Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
Citizens are mostly involved in the activities related to the help of neighbours and friends Engagement in communal life (Have you ever devoted your spare time to voluntary and unpaid work %) R Slovensko Polsko Ma arsko Helping neighbours and friends 79% 80% 77% 75% Community help Contributing to sustainable development by reducing waste or saving electricity 61% 45% 63% 50% Assistance with landscaping in public areas, collecting garbage, cleaning forests 45% 51% 46% 53% Neighbourhood activities 49% 51% 48% 47% Female preferred activities Helping in kindergarten or school 28% 41% 46% 52% Taking part on events for animals 23% 27% 38% 32% Helping to organize cultural activities 29% 28% 29% 29% Male preferred activities Fighting natural disasters and helping the injured 27% 21% 32% 26% Fan club membership, informal clubs and sports groups 25% 28% 23% 21% Keeping the memory of the nation, repairing memorials, restoring historical places 13% 19% 24% 20% (B ze: Celkov vzorek V4 n=2032, R n=510, SR n=516, Polsko n=505,Ma arsko n=501). Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
The key take out: the challenge for the democracy The key take out: the challenge for the democracy The patterns The patterns of citizens perception of political situation, the importance of attitudes and the declared engagement are very similar across the V4 countries. are very similar across the V4 countries. Unfortunately, most of the findings show a critical approach towards the current situation and the state of critical approach towards the current situation and the state of democracy on V4 countries democracy on V4 countries. The overall negative perception and low level of trust led to frustration from politics and low willingness to engage engage in politics and public matters. There is also a tendency to escape and perceived public affairs as not important for life satisfaction important for life satisfaction. Such kind of indifference does not motivate either. indifference does not motivate either. frustration from politics and low willingness to not However still there is a significant number of citizens who are engaged in public, political or communal life and they have the intention to do so in the future to. The challenge for the democracy The challenge for the democracy is to create a respectful environment participate. participate. The focus on democratic consciousness democratic consciousness is essential since understanding evokes further interest. respectful environment where people will be willing to will be willing to It is crucial that substantial efforts are made to encourage active citizenship among the young are more trustful and satisfied however their democratic consciousness does not play important role in their lives. encourage active citizenship among the young. Young people Based on the research Citizenship empowerment. Potential for civic participation in the Visegrad 4 countries, 2017&2018 V4 total n=2032, Czech Rep. n=510, Slovakia n=516, Poland n=505, Hungary n=501)., representative population 16+, Online panel data collection
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