Explaining the activism of the members of the youth sections of Spanish political parties. Between rational choice theory and general incentives model

Authors

  • Francisco Javier Alarcón González Universidad de Jaén

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18042/cepc/rep.191.10

Abstract

This paper focuses on the determinants of political behaviour, in terms of political activism, among Spanish youth section party members. The determinants of political participation related to activism within three political forces are analysed. This work starts from rational choice theory, that takes into account the individual evaluations on the potential costs and benefits from activism, and this model is compared with the explanation of General Incentives Model proposed by Seyd and Whiteley (1992), which includes variables that are not compatible with the rational choice perspective. Data show that the general incentives model works relatively well in terms of explained variance. But at the same time, determinants of party activism such a process incentives, ideological incentives, social norm, and group political efficacy do not influence youth activism, with some exceptions across members of the different political organisations analysed. Youth party activism is driven by individual political efficacy and affective factors.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

2021-03-18

How to Cite

Alarcón González, F. J. (2021). Explaining the activism of the members of the youth sections of Spanish political parties. Between rational choice theory and general incentives model. Revista De Estudios Políticos, (191), 287–321. https://doi.org/10.18042/cepc/rep.191.10

Issue

Section

ARTICLES