The effects of civic education on political culture: Evidence from Zambia

Little empirical research has been done on civic education in new democraci es. This article appraises, through a comparison of results from two social surveys, the effects on political culture of several civic education progr ams conducted principally by nongovernmental organizations in Zambia. Among its findings are that: civic education has observable positive effects, bu t mainly among privileged elements in society; civic education has consiste ntly greater impact on citizens' knowledge and values than on their politic al behavior; and, with the possible exception of informal methods such as d rama shows, means have yet to be devised to induce citizens to become activ e voters. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.