Evaluating the Efficacy of State-Led Political Socialization among Eritrean Youth: A Case Study of College Students

Abstract

The process of political socialization is a critical mechanism for the stability and continuity of any political system, serving as the means by which political culture is internalized and transmitted across generations. In the context of Eritrea, this study investigates the effectiveness of state-led socialization efforts targeting college students through the primary agents of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) and the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS). Utilizing a mixed-method research design involving surveys and interviews, the study explores how the state seeks to inculcate revolutionary values such as self-reliance, social justice, and patriotism. However, the findings reveal a significant disconnect between state objectives and youth perceptions, characterized by high levels of political apathy, a preference for external media, and discontent regarding prevailing socio-economic conditions. The study concludes that the "top-down" nature of the socialization process and the pressures of globalization present formidable challenges to the state's efforts to mobilize the younger generation for nation-building.