A More Inclusive Research Approach to Civic Engagement and Volunteering

It is necessary to broaden our understanding of civic engagement to fully comprehend how and why citizens engage in civic actions. This article investigates different conceptualizations of civic engagement and volunteering and argues that the discourse of volunteering as the dominant approach in civil society research restricts our understanding of citizens’ engagement in civic actions. The article develops the concept of civic engagement by unfolding core variables related to civic activities such as civility, civicness and citizenship. The article is conceptual and contributes to broadening understanding of why citizens engage and how civic institutions might stimulate and reproduce civic virtues. The article argues that using civility, civicness and citizenship as analytical concepts in exploring civic engagement and civic actions will give a more nuanced understanding and include a broader spectrum of citizens in studies of civic activities.