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This book analyses the various ways and the extent to which young people participate in politics, focusing primarily on the UK and including cross-national comparisons where relevant. It covers topics including: what is meant by political participation; youth political participation on a pan-European basis; new social media and youth political participation; whether the voting age should be lowered to 16; youth participation at the local level; and young women and political participation. Written in a lively and engaging style, the book provides a detailed investigation into the extent to which young people in the twenty-first century are interested and participate in politics. The author has included interviews with many young people, as well as with academics and specialists in the field. The book´s greatest contribution is to the debate surrounding whether or not the voting age should be lowered to 16 - a timely and thought-provoking analysis.

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Acknowledgements.- 1. Young People and Political Participation: Is there an issue about young people and politics?.- 2. Political Participation: theories of participation.- 3. Young People and Participation in Europe.- 4. New Media and Political Participation.- 5. Should sixteen and seventeen year olds be given the right to vote?.- 6. Youth Political Participation at Local Level.-7. Gender and Political Participation.- 8. Conclusion.- Bibliography.- Index.

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Jacqueline Briggs is Head of the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln, UK. She was Vice Chair of the Political Studies Association UK from 2011-14. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, on the Board of the Campaign for Social Sciences, and a Fellow of the RSA. In 2015, she chaired the Quality Assurance Agency review of the subject benchmarking statements for Politics and International Relations.

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