How participation in culture enhances democracy

This report analyses the link between democratic participation and culture in the European Union.

Findings

• There is a clear positive correlation between rates of citizens’ participation in cultural activities and indicators of civic engagement, democracy and social cohesion. Participating in cultural activities increases likelihood to vote and volunteer and participate in community activities. It also increases positive feeling associated with civic and democratic values. These correlations are independent of socio-economic background or education level.

• Participating in cultural activities increases feelings of community belonging, tolerance, trust and empathy for people from different backgrounds.

• Participating in cultural activities supports personal and social skills, like self-expression, the ability to listen to others, to understand different perspectives, and to facilitate conflict resolution.

• Cultural activities help build social capital, the glue that holds communities together; they help create trust, tolerance, solidarity and cohesion.

• Both active and more passive forms of cultural participation are positively associated with civic attitudes and outcomes. However, stronger effects are found in more active forms of cultural participation.

• Access to cultural opportunities is unequal, and this reflects in democracy, as well.