trade unions, democracy, generations, age, political participation, Europe
This article examines whether membership of a trade union enhances an individual’s political activism and beliefs in the democratic system. Our main theoretical argument is that trade unions and union membership are more likely to develop in workers the capacities to participate as citizens in the democratic process than workers in non-union environments. Results show union members are more likely to engage in political activities and hold more positive attitudes towards democracy than non-union respondents across 11 stable European democracies with varying levels of union density and collective bargaining coverage. A notable trend is the decline over generations of the positive gap in political participation levels between union and non-union workers. It appears that the effects of union membership for political participation and attitudes to democracy, though still significant, are less salient for the 80s generation.