This book analyses the various ways and the extent to which young people participate in politics, focusing primarily on the UK and including cross-national comparisons where relevant. It covers topics including: what is meant by political participation; youth political participation on a pan-European basis; new social media and youth political participation; whether the voting age should be lowered to 16; youth participation at the local level; and young women and political participation. Written in a lively and engaging style, the book provides a detailed investigation into the extent to which young people in the twenty-first century are interested and participate in politics. The author has included interviews with many young people, as well as with academics and specialists in the field. The book’s greatest contribution is to the debate surrounding whether or not the voting age should be lowered to 16 – a timely and thought-provoking analysis.

Jacqueline Briggs is Head of the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln, UK. She was Vice Chair of the Political Studies Association UK from 2011-14. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, on the Board of the Campaign for Social Sciences, and a Fellow of the RSA. In 2015, she chaired the Quality Assurance Agency review of the subject benchmarking statements for Politics and International Relations.