Magyar_Ifjusag_2012_tanulmanykotet

Hungarian Youth 2012IX. Community and political activityDániel Oross:The sense of social well-being and the relation to politicsResults of the Hungarian Youth 2012 survey clearly indicate the deterioratingsense of social wellbeing among the young Hungarian population, as wellas malfunctions in political socialisation and problems concerning democraticparticipation, Dániel Oross writes.Young people are also pessimistic in their assessment of the macroeconomicsituation in relation to future prospects, with 58 per cent sayingthat the performance of the economy will deteriorate. 51 per cent spoke ofa worsening material situation with regard to their own family. As was thecase in 2008, material concerns took the lead in the list of questions rankingthe most agonising problems faced by young people, with existential uncertaintycausing the most difficulties; while 16 per cent of respondents areworried of an unpredictable, perspectiveless future, existential uncertaintiesare the greatest concern of ten per cent of interviewees.As for young people’s priorities with respect to political values, receiveddata reflect the decreasing relevance of traditional ideologies (Left-Right,liberal-conservative, moderate-radical) and blurring distinctions betweencertain categories, with an overwhelming majority of respondents indicatingtheir sympathy for centrist attitudes thought of as neutral positions.The comparison of figures with earlier waves of research revealed thatalthough changes under way among the young Hungarian population arefollowing a long-term negative trend, increasing discontent accumulating inthe deep structures of society continues to lack manifestation in politicalactivities; on the basis of received data, there still is no evidence of youngpeople organising themselves into a political generation.The political activity of young Hungarians gives no cause for optimism;25 per cent of respondents are certain that they will not take part in elections,9 per cent would probably not cast their vote and 17 per cent are undecidedon whether or not to attend polling stations. In total, half (51 per cent)of Hungarian young people interviewed are characterised by an inactivedisposition towards voting.356