Percepción ciudadana de la participación sociopolítica

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyse public perception of politicians and sociopolitical participation, by the application of purely qualitative techniques (focus groups and in-depth interviews). The results of the analysis of the speeches used in the discussion groups are the following: a) people feel more at ease in a main role, but only when they want it; b) in spite of the negative perception of politicians and the social elite, people accept that they play an major role in complex societies and in normal situations, but they want to be given living space when they ask for it; c) their implicit participation model is compared to something isolated, but decisive (vote and demonstration), and d) people are suspicious of anything implying a long-term commitment and a dedication larger than that which they are willing to take on.