Forms of Political Participation: Old and New
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this political science course on how people become engaged in community and political life through associations, networks, and social norms. Readings draw on research into civil society and social capital, examining how these structures affect democratic functioning, regime stability and change, state capacity, and international politics. The syllabus covers classic and contemporary theories of participation, from voluntary associations to newer forms of digital and network-based engagement. Materials include a full reading list and assignments as posted on MIT's OpenCourseWare site, free to access under MIT's open license. No enrollment or certificate is offered, but all course readings and structure are available for self-study, making it a useful entry point for anyone studying how social ties shape political behavior.