The Young Moroccan Leaders – Social Capital and Political Participation
Marouan Blaiha : PhD Researcher in Political science. – Ibn Zoher University Agadir Morocco
Democratic Arab Center
Journal of Afro-Asian Studies : Fifth Issue – April 2020
A Periodical International Journal published by the “Democratic Arab Center” Germany – Berlin. The journal deals with the field of Afro-Asian strategic, political and economic studies
Abstract
Through this research paper, we are seeking to argue about the role of social capital in determining the pattern of political participation. We focus mainly on studying the young -leader’s social capital and its impact on the political choices they make between protest and institutional political participation. We argue that social capital greatly impacts the political affiliations of young leaders. The young-leaders who have got a bonding social capital or a closed network, they are more likely to participate in protest activities as well as in closed ideological organizations. On the other hand, the young-leaders who have got bridging social capital or a very large network, they are more likely to participate in various institutional organizations like parties, and NGOs. We are arguing, therefore, that the social network is playing a crucial role in shaping meanings, values, and the social reality for the individuals.