Political education of young people in Germany: history and modernity

The study is devoted to the evolution of the form of German youth political education, as well as the analysis of the current degree of institutionalization of children's interests at the municipal level. It is shown that in the context of the conceptual crisis of the traditional political parties of the EU countries, the struggle for electoral support of young people is intensifying. The tactics of this political struggle include political manipulation, in connection with which the effectiveness of the political socialization of the younger generation becomes important. The historical experience of political education of young people in Germany convincingly proves the danger of strengthening the role of ideology as the main factor in the formation of citizenship and patriotism. The article analyzes the main methods and forms of political education of the youth in Germany. The key factors influencing changes in the social policy strategy in relation to childhood and adolescence are identified: the formation of juvenile justice, the experience of municipal self-government, and the strengthening of the civic initiatives' influence.