The Effects of Civic Education on Political Culture: Evidence from Zambia

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Periodical article

Title:	The Effects of Civic Education on Political Culture: Evidence from Zambia
Authors:	Bratton, Michael Alderfer, Philip Bowser, Georgia Temba, Joseph
Year:	1999
Periodical:	World Development
Volume:	27
Issue:	5
Period:	May
Pages:	807-824
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zambia
Subjects:	democracy political education Politics and Government Education and Oral Traditions
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(99)00031-5
Abstract:	This article deals with civic education in new democracies. It appraises, through a comparison of results from two social surveys carried out in 1996, the effects on political culture of several civic education programmes conducted principally by NGOs in Zambia. Three sets of variables are examined, viz. civic education, civic outcomes (civic knowledge, civic values, political preferences, civic skills, civic actions), and external factors (education, exposure to media, organization membership, interest in politics, gender, locale). Among the findings of the study are that civic education has observable positive effects, but mainly among privileged elements in society; civic education has consistently greater impact on citizens' knowledge and values than on their political behaviour; and, with the possible exception of informal methods such as drama shows, means have yet to be devised to induce citizens to become active voters. Bibliogr., notes, sum.