ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at individual citizens as engaged political actors. Political behaviour is concerned with the way 'people react to, and make, political decisions'. In most explanations of individual political behaviour, emphasis has been on the resources that citizens possess, or on an individual's socioeconomic status; that is, an individual's educational level, occupation and income are seen to determine voting behaviour, participation and attitudes. Differentiation between political socialisation and political learning or knowledge can also be made. Political socialisation goes well beyond factual learning about political institutions and processes. A sense of a shared national identity is an idea or dominant discourse that can promote political unity among a nation's citizens. The levels of trust and active engagement that individuals have with the political system, with governments in particular, and with democracy more broadly are often seen as indicators of social capital.
