Between Evasion and Activism: A Qualitative Inquiry into the Political Behavior of German and Swedish Long-Term Unemployed

This comparative article aims to understand the patterns underlying the political behavior of young German and Swedish long-term unemployed individuals. Based on almost 40 qualitative interviews, the analysis follows a grounded theory approach and shows that “unemployment” is not an objective realit...

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Published in:Partecipazione e conflitto Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 788 - 813
Main Authors: Hobbins, Jennifer, Lahusen, Christian
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Milan ESE Salento University Publishing 01.01.2015
Coordinamento SIBA
Subjects:
Acquaintances
Activism
Comparative analysis
Coping
Coping strategies
Evasion
Everyday life
Germany
Grounded theory
informal networks
Interpersonal relations
Living conditions
Long term
long-term unemployment
Political activism
Political behavior
Political participation
Political parties
Politics
Public opinion
qualitative methods
Qualitative research
Respondents
Sanctions
Social networks
Social relations
Sociologi
Sociology
Studies
Support networks
Sweden
Unemployed people
Unemployment
Long-term unemployment
Sweden
political participation
informal networks
qualitative methods
Germany
ISSN:1972-7623, 2035-6609, 2035-6609
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This comparative article aims to understand the patterns underlying the political behavior of young German and Swedish long-term unemployed individuals. Based on almost 40 qualitative interviews, the analysis follows a grounded theory approach and shows that “unemployment” is not an objective reality that imposes uniform living conditions. Social and political activities diverge considerably, even though our respondents experience similar pressures and sanctions by public opinion, political parties, public administrations, relatives and/or acquaintances. The consequences of unemployment depend on individual mind-sets, support networks and coping strategies. This study identifies informal networks of social relations as one main factor influencing unemployed young peoples’ political behavior. Three types of political involvement are shaped by the routines and norms reproduced within their web of social relations in everyday life: evasion, civic minimalism and reluctant activism. The similarities between the German and the Swedish respondents overshadowed the national differences
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ISSN:1972-7623
2035-6609
2035-6609
DOI:10.1285/i20356609v8i3p788