Shaping Democracy?
Youth Activism, Political Commitments, and Visions of Democracy in a Changing World

Project by

María Victoria Seca
Early-Career Fellow 2025–2026

Democracy is facing serious challenges across the globe. Rising inequality, the climate crisis, the resurgence of the far right, and increasing political polarization are contributing to a complex and volatile political and social landscape. In this context, it is essential to reflect on the transformations and tensions currently shaping democratic systems.

This project investigates the role of young activists in contemporary democratic processes and explores how youth activism—particularly within climate and far-right movements—influences young people’s perceptions of democracy. The research focuses on Argentina, where diverse political forces, including these movements, are significantly reshaping the national political landscape.

By examining how young people engage with democratic values, institutions, and practices, the project aims to reveal how young people contribute to strengthening, reconfiguring, or challenging democracy from within. To do so, the research adopts an interdisciplinary perspective, combining expertise in youth studies and political sociology with insights from political science, political psychology, and democracy studies.