Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Monday, June 11, 2007

Political integration and socialization

Many countries rely on a military draft or youth service programs to promote political integration.

Now The Guradian (UK) reports on a proposal in the UK. How does it compare with similar efforts in other countries? How well do such programs fit with the political culture in those countries? Look for information on Mexico's Servicio Social, Nigeria's National Youth Service Corps, China's Voluntary Poverty Alleviation Relay Project, and Russia's Youth Service and Alternative Civilian Service (ACS), for examples.

Plan for new 'teenage call-up'

"Plans for every young person in Britain to enrol in a national volunteering scheme that could become compulsory are at the centre of a government report into improving social cohesion.

"The possibility of mandatory community service is put forward today by Darra Singh, chair of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion...

"[It is argued] that the benefits of volunteering are great, 'bringing together young people from different backgrounds to work together towards a common goal'...

"The issue of how to make society more cohesive in the face of threats from Islamic extremism and the British National Party has risen to the top of the political agenda in recent weeks..."


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