Political socialization : a quantitative study on the agents of political socialization and the level of political participation and knowledge in a two-party political system

Abstract

This study explored 5 Agents of Political Socialization (AoPS): Family, Friends, Media, Voluntary Associations and School and their level of influence in political participation (PP) and knowledge (PK) in Malta, as a two-party political system. This was done through an online survey method distributed to young adults between and including the ages of 18 and 30. This study found that young adults encountered political socialization with the Family and in school the most frequently among the five agents. However friends was found to have the strongest correlation both PP and PK. Males scored higher in both PP and PK. Finally, Labourites and Nationalists scored higher in both PP and PK when compared to individuals with no political identity. Results show that family and friends are paramount for strong political socialization.