When the media writes about young people and political action; they usually focus on the big; spectacular demonstrations and protests. Those are the kind of political actions that are most visible to the public; and they thus get the most attention. In my study of political involvement among youth; based on interviews with young people in the Global Justice Movement; I show that many individuals see other; less visible ways of acting politically as just as important as the big manifestations. Seemingly trivial choices in everyday life; what you buy; what you eat; how you travel etc. are by them seen as political actions; in those cases when they are motivated by political opinions and values. To keep up a “politically aware” lifestyle is however not always easy.
In my paper I give examples of how the interviewed individuals reason around the connection between such inconspicuous actions; their political involvement and their long term goal to change the world.
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Cited Interviews
Alva 26 years old, Sweden, Attac & Social Forum. Interview 2002-05-22.
Anita 23 years old, Norway, Attac. Interview 2004-06-15.
Jenny 25 years old, Sweden, Attac & Social Forum. Interview 2002-09-27.
Lina 19 years old, Norway, Social forum. Interview 2003-02-22.
Marie 28 years old, Sweden, Attac & Social Forum. Interview 2003-01-19.
Rikke 25 years old, Norway, Attac. Interview 2004-03-31.
