Political Motivation and Cambodian Youth: A Historical and Systematic Review of Community Support Factors in Emerging Democracies

Abstract

This systematic review shows evidence of community support and how it shapes political motivation for youth and young Cambodians and emerging democracies. Taking into consideration political socialization, self-determination, expectancy-value and cost, social identity and normative influence, the review considers motivation socially driven through networks, support, social, norm and opportunity perceived responsive and risk. In multiple Cambodia-focused and comparative studies, the patterns show that, for bonding ties, participation is duty based and socially sanctioned; for bridging ties, civic education and interest become broader; and for linking ties, motivation is predicated on perceived influence. However, the unequal participation in the bridging and linking ties spaces by gender, SES, rural-urban, political knowledge, and the like, explains why motivation is often expressed through low-risk political engagement. The review ends with a Cambodia-sensitive framework and forward-looking priorities that focus on context-appropriate tools for measurement, longitudinal studies, and mixed method pathway testing with an explanatory focus.