Politics: interest, participation and education. Comparing the Republic of Ireland with Germany

Abstract

In order to generate higher levels of interest in politics and participation in political processes, political or citizenship, education in schools must be at the heart of the curriculum and be characterised by active, learner-centred approaches. This paper hypothesises that, when compared with Germany, a more limited form of political education in Irish post-primary schools may be impacting negatively on the extent to which it is achieving such aims. In order to begin to explore this hypothesis, the results for seven items relating to interest in politics and participation in political processes from the most recent (2010) round of the European Social Survey are compared for the Irish and German populations. In addition, the nature and status of political education in the German and the Irish school systems are compared. Conclusions are drawn and the implications for future research in this field and for political education in both countries considered.

Keywords:

• political education
• comparative education
• teaching and learning
• civics
• citizenship education
• educational policy

Notes on contributor

Dr Jennifer Bruen is Research Convenor and a Lecturer in the School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies in Dublin City University, Ireland. Her research interests include language teaching and learning, the preparation of students for study abroad as well as political and citizenship education.

Notes

1. An ERIC being a consortium of member states including Ireland in the case of the ESS, with a legal underpinning, involved in the establishment and operation of a research infrastructure (further information can be found at: http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases/PR2013-05-07.html#sthash.l97Mp38G.dpuf).

2. The particular title given to political or citizenship education in Germany varies according to the federal state in which it is taught. All titles translate approximately into English as (socio-) political education or citizenship studies.

3. Of note here is the fact that political education in schools in Hessen has been renamed ‘Politik und Wirtschaft’ or ‘Politics and the Economy’.