civic participation in a transforming society: motivational forces, social capital and trust...
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CIVIC PARTICIPATION IN A TRANSFORMING SOCIETY: MOTIVATIONAL FORCES, SOCIAL CAPITAL AND TRUST
INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES
Duration of the project: 2 years
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Research Team
Nana Sumbadze - Principal investigator PHD in Social Sciences
Anastasia Kitiashvili – Senior researcherPHD in Psychology
Natia Ubilava – Junior researcher - MS student in social psychology
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Aim of the project
To identify the motivation for joining voluntary organizations
To study: The perceived benefits of group
membership Causes that hinder citizen’s
participation in public life Ways to increase participation
Methodology
The study has two phases, qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative phase studies: Perceptions of persons who are involved and of those not involved in
voluntary organizations of participation by focus group discussionsQuantitative phase studies: Motives, benefits of participation, level of control and belonging
motivations and social networks of members and non- members of voluntary organizations will be studied by survey instrument containing designed for the study questions, standard scales and questions referring to ego-networks
The study is carried out on members of the two types of organizations:
Associations with a distinct instrumental function, such as political parties and professional associations;
Associations with a distinct expressive function, such as congregation and fan clubs.
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Expected Results
Results of the study: Will bring insight in the established world-wide
negative association of generalized trust with membership of voluntary associations in post-communist countries
Will point to the leading motives for engagement in different types of associations
Will provide an answer to socialization effect of membership on generalized trust
Will provide a picture of important relationships and their connectivity, level of inclusion of association members in personal social milieu
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Focus Group Discussion Participants
8 focus group discussions involving 70 persons were held with members of:
Political parties Trade Unions Professional organizations Fan clubs Congregations Students and citizens not involved in
voluntary organizations
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Discussion Topics
Motivation for joining associations Benefits of membership Most common activities Reasons hindering citizen’s involvement
in associations Ways of increasing participation
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Motivation for joining Associations (1)
Oriented at others/society oriented Achieving goals Bringing change Good leader Feeling of effectiveness of one’s involvement, belief that it is
necessary and will yield resultsOriented at inner/self Need of self-realization Feeling of dissatisfaction/ emptiness Feeling of helplessness Interest Need of others in pursuing own interests
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Motivation for joining Associations (2)
Instrumental Need to fill in the time Getting support Obtaining protection Obtaining material benefits Career advances Getting power Access to information Access to privileges Need of others in pursuing own interests
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Benefits of membership (1)
Associated with the society Bringing change Be listened and one’s opinion be considered Increase sensitivity to the cause of organization Possibility to achieve the goal Shrinkage of state power system
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Benefits of membership (2)
Associated with the self Learning and getting new experience Obtaining protection Prestige Advances in career Self-growth and Self-realization Increase of self-esteem Feeling of belonging Making contacts Pleasure and sharing Relaxation and peace of mind Pride Satisfaction of the need in public activity
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Reasons hindering citizen’s involvement in associations
Associated with the society/others
Mistrust in leader
Socio-economic conditions in the country
Disregard of citizens by authorities and fear of authorities
Lack of feeling of citizenship/ownership of the country
Lack of solidarity in a society
Lack of tradition of participation
Lack of offers to become a member and restricted choice for participation
Restriction of free expression of opinions
Not seeing benefits of membership
Scarcity of information
Associated with the self
Lack of time
Unwillingness to take responsibility
Not seeing effectiveness of own activities
Satisfied, through friendship networks social needs
Lack of initiative and nihilism
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Ways of increasing participation
Education Teaching tools for participation Informing Effective leadership Involvement of youth Building trust in others Building feeling of ownership/citizenship Achieving small results and publicizing them Promoting participation Supporting free expression of opinion by authorities Creating variety of organizations Creating organizations with concrete goals and ways of achieving them Ensuring the spirit of respect to others and tolerance to different opinion Ensuring the stability of organizations