Young people remain attached to democracy, but formulate criticism – rts.ch

More than 6,000 young people aged 16 to 26 from seven countries – Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland and United Kingdom – participated in this survey carried out by l’institut YouGov pour TUI Foundation. It turns out that for 57% of them, democracy remains the best option. But that also means that 43% is dissatisfied with this model, 21% even affirming that an authoritarian regime would be preferable “in certain circumstances”.

The survey does not, however, specify what “circumstances” it is. According to Camille Bedock, a politician at Sciences-Po Bordeaux, we must therefore qualify these figures: young people stand out from democracy, but that is not to say that they wish to live in an authoritarian regime. These results reflect above all an dissatisfaction.

“What is very often recorded in this kind of polls are people who will support any alternative to the current situation, because they are dissatisfied with regard to the status quo”, she explains in the program a whole world.

For Camille Bedock, the risks of authoritarian drift would rather concern young people who have no opinion on these questions, or 14% of respondents. “These people, if political leaders ever questioned democratic standards, would not necessarily rise to defend them,” she said.

A model “which must evolve”

This detachment is observed in Switzerland too. Of the Surveys of the Youth Parliament have obtained similar answers. To try to see more clearly, RTS questioned several young people on their relationship to democracy. If they all claim that they can not imagine living in another regime, they nevertheless formulate some criticisms of the current regime (see box).

“And as a young citizen living in Switzerland, I have always grown with this culture of debate, compromise and participation. And even if our democracy has its faults, I find that it offers a space in which everyone can make their voice heard and contribute to the common good,” says Noah, 19.

“It is important to recognize that democracy, even if it is essential, has its limits,” he adds, specifying, however, that it is, according to him, a model “that must be preserved and developed, and not replace”.

The number of young people interested in politics remains stable, according to the Parliament of young people. Those who candidates are, however, fewer and fewer. For Swiss democracy, which is based on its militia system, this crisis in future vocations will be a real challenge, estimates the Federation.

Radio subject: Mathilde Salamin

Web adaptation: Emilie Délétroz