TAUGHT NOT TO TRUST

The role of civic education in shaping the political culture of Slovakia

Abstract

For many years, Slovakia has been struggling with low voter turnout and a disengaged public. At the same time, there are concerns that the current education system is not equipping students with skills relevant to their lives. This paper examines the passive way civic education is taught in Slovakia and the influence it has on the political behavior of youth. The paper concludes that the education also promotes a passive political culture. At the end, the paper proposes an educational reform that could improve political participation for the new generation.