Predictors of Civic Engagement in the United States and Germany: A Cross-National Comparison

• In Event: 51.047 - Adult Education Populations: What Do We Know?

Abstract

We examine civic engagement among immigrants and native-born adults in the U.S. and Germany—world-leading nations with different responses to immigration and assimilation. Civic engagement involves the practices and beliefs underpinning the democratic functions of citizenry, and operationalized in this study as voluntary work, political efficacy, and social trust. Data for the analyses are drawn from the PIAAC. Individual background factors--age, gender, education level, skills, immigrant status, and employment--serve as predictors in our regression models. Several cross-national differences were observed in the relationships between background factors and dimensions of civic engagement. Results are discussed regarding the role of adult education programs for supporting both the transitions of migrants and maintenance of democratic behaviors among native-born citizens.

Authors

• Amy D. Rose, Northern Illinois University

• Thomas J. Smith, Northern Illinois University

• Jovita M. Ross-Gordon, Texas State University - San Marcos

• M Cecil Smith, West Virginia University

• Jill Zarestky, Colorado State University

• Tobin Lopes, Colorado State University

• Anke Grotlueschen, University of Hamburg

• Marion Fleige, German Institute for Adult Education - Leibniz Centre for Lifelong Learning