英文摘要 |
Widespread citizen participation is a hallmark of democratic governance. Without extensive public participation, a democracy lacks both legitimacy and vitality and the promise of political life remains unfulfilled. Over the past several decades the explanatory power of factors driving various types of citizen participation has been investigated numerous studies conducted in Western democracies. However, much remains to be learned about the structure and determinants of participation in developing countries in Southeast Asia and elsewhere, and similarities and differences in the nature and etiology of civic engagement in mature and emerging democracies remain to be delineated. While ASEAN countries seek for further integration in order to strengthen AESAN's competitiveness, understanding each country's specific need for promoting democratization may facilitate the collaboration in the future. Using data collected by Asian Barometer Survey (ABS), this study conducts a rarely seen empirical analysis of citizens' participation in Southeast Asia. Using Structure Equation Modeling (SEM), the results reveal the similarity and difference among six ASEAN countries and the west. Also, empirical findings suggest that promoting positive relationship between political efficacy and political participation in Southeast Asia could accelerate democratization and regional integration. |