Youth Engagement in Politics: Case Study in Albania

Abstract

This research is about the Albanian youth and their engagement in Albanian politics. The significance of this study is to describe the forms that Albanian youth participation in politics and also to compare the Albanian youth engagement with the one of the Croatia. The main research question of this study is “how does Albanian youth engages in politics?” The significance of this study is to describe the forms that Albanian youth participates in politics and also comparing between one (of youth forum of the political parties, or directly an activist on a higher level; secondly is during election times by voting and convincing others to vote for their political parties; thirdly is in general, just following the latest developments in politics; and fourthly is engaging in “civic” duties. The results of the interviews made with 10 young people of each of four main political parties, respectively The Democratic Party, The Socialist Party, The Socialist Movement for Integration, and The New Democratic Spirit show that the Albanian youth is active in youth forums and the political parties that they are in represent their ideals. The study suggests that youth should be engaged more because they have potential and they have a vital importance in political decision making of Albania.