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Ødegård, Guro (2007): Political socialization and influence at the mercy of politicians: A study of a local participation project amongst young people in Norway. Young, Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 273-297.

This article explores the following research questions: do local participation projects, such as youth councils, have a socializing effect on young people's political awareness; and do the young people involved attain power and influence in the local political field?

This study includes two surveys supplemented by qualitative material. Based on a theoretical framework related to political socialization, democracy and political influence, the author discusses the status of youth councils in general and a Norwegian model in particular. The findings imply that the local participation projects do not have an effect on young people's political awareness in general. However, young people who are directly involved in the participation process have a higher degree of political awareness than those who are outside this process.

Online journal: http://you.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/15/3/273