The role of national identification in explaining political and social civic engagement

Abstract

The present research examines the relationship between distinct forms of national identification—constructive patriotism, conventional patriotism, and glorification—and both political and social engagement. Three correlational studies were conducted in Poland. In Study 1 ( N = 234) and Study 2 ( N = 316), using self-report measures, it was found that constructive patriotism positively predicts both forms of civic engagement. Conventional patriotism positively predicted social engagement (Studies 1 and 3). Glorification negatively predicted political engagement. Study 3 ( N = 969) supported the link between these different forms of national identification and political and social engagement, using both self-report and behavioural measures of civic engagement. The findings suggest that national identification can both promote and deter civic engagement.