Social Networks and Political Participation

Posted: 15 May 2013

See all articles by David E. Campbell

David E. Campbell

University of Notre Dame - Department of Political Science

Date Written: May 2013

Abstract

In recent years, the study of political participation has benefited from growing attention to the study of social networks. Historically, most explanations for political participation have focused on characteristics of individuals. Although these individual-level correlates do a “pretty good” job of predicting who participates, incorporating social networks deepens our understanding of the factors that lead people to express voice in the democratic process. Even though the participation literature has long been split between scholars who favor a focus on individuals and others who emphasize social networks, the two approaches need not be in tension. Instead, they complement one another. The individualistic factors known to correlate with participation - including education, religious attendance, political knowledge, political conviction, and civic duty - all have a social dimension.

Suggested Citation

Campbell, David E., Social Networks and Political Participation (May 2013). Annual Review of Political Science, Vol. 16, pp. 33-48, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2265156 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-polisci-033011-201728

David E. Campbell (Contact Author)

University of Notre Dame - Department of Political Science ( email )

217 O'Shaughnessy Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
United States

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