Frustration and motivation towards political participation in Muslim and non-Muslim young students in Pakistan

Abstract

The socio-political conditions of Pakistan are not good for many religious and ethnic minority groups. This study explores the frustration and motivation of Muslim and non-Muslim young students around political participation in this environment. A survey research design was followed to achieve this objective. Seven-hundred secondary school students affiliated with Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Ahmadiyya communities participated in the study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to gauge the respondents’ political efficacy, attitude towards democracy and motivation for expected political participation in the country. The findings demonstrate students’ concerns, to varying extents, about the performance of political institutions in the country. The religious affiliations of the participants have significant influence on their motivation to contribute to political affairs. The results are alarming for a country with an uncertain democratic record for religious and ethnic minorities.