Full Description
This book offers new insights into the political representation of young people globally. The authors address key issues such as the effects of different levels of government, the role of institutional reforms (e.g., the introduction of youth quotas), the impact of legislative turnover, and the link between descriptive and substantive representation. Featuring contributions from academics, but also activists and practitioners, the volume amplifies voices from all continents, enriching the discourse beyond its traditional European-centric focus. As the first significant exploration of its kind, it not only maps the current state of youth political representation but also illuminates the struggles and triumphs that young adults encounter in political spheres, offering fresh insights into the barriers and opportunities young people face in gaining a seat at the table and remaining there.
Chapter " "The Political Underrepresentation of Young Adults in Nigeria's Subnational Parliaments" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction: Conceptual challenges in the field of youth political representation.- Chapter 2: Global Youth Representation in Parliaments from 1971 to 202.- Perspective I: "Youth are at the door, knocking, asking to be let in" - Youth Representation in Parliaments.- Chapter 3: The Political Underrepresentation of Young Adults in Nigeria's Subnational Parliaments.- Chapter 4: Youth Representation in Ghana's Fourth Republican Parliament: A Historical Overview.- Chapter 5: Youth Political Representation in Kenya: Ongoing Struggles Despite the 2010 Constitutional Reform.- Chapter 6: Youth Representation in South Africa: From University Walls to Parliamentary Halls.- Chapter 7: Institutional Reforms Matter: Youth Representation in the Chilean Congress over three decades.- Chapter 8: Youth Quotas in Context: Institutional Change and Political Representation in Ecuador (1979 - 2023).- Chapter 9: Future Forward? Youth Substantive Representation in U.S. State Legislatures.- Perspective II: "Leading with Authenticity is an Asset" - Representation in a U.S. State Legislature Representative.- Perspective III: Representing the Voice of Young Australians at the United Nations.- Chapter 10: Youth (Under-)Representation in Japan's Lower House: Youth Issues and Political Interest vs. Political Behaviour and Party Influence.- Perspectives IV: Beyond ticking off the box: Reflections on my leadership experience as a young woman from Mindanao, Philippines.- Chapter 11: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities: Youth Representation in the Indian Parliament.- Perspective V: Youth Political Engagement in India: A Practitioner's Perspective.- Perspective VI: Digital Platforms: Bringing Youth Interests to Parliaments.- Chapter 12: Speakin' 'bout the young generation: The Who and Why of youth's substantive representation in written parliamentary questions.- Chapter 13: The limited effect of Vote16 policies on descriptive youth representation - An analysis of Germany's state parliaments.- Perspective VII :"I believe that local politics in Germany has the greatest decision-making power and can set the greatest levers" - Representing youth at the local level.- Chapter 14: Do young Swedes vote, run for office, and get elected?.- Perspective VIII: Nordic Council's Committee for Children and Young People.- Chapter 15: The Higher the Office, the Narrower the Path? Youth Political Representation in Portugal.- Chapter 16: Out with the Old, In with the Young: How Legislative Turnover Improves the Descriptive Representation of Youth in Latvia.- Perspective IX:"It Can be Different" - The mobilization of young people for their right to representation.- Chapter 17: Conclusion.
