Does Service Affect Citizenship?

TLDR

Citizen service is increasingly viewed as a remedy for civic disengagement. The study reviews 37 empirical studies on the relationship between service and citizenship. The review is guided by a formal change model and examines six citizenship outcome types: cognitive understanding, attitudes, skills, institutional change, philanthropic and civic behaviors, and political behavior. The review identifies several conclusions about the service‑citizenship relationship.

Abstract

The idea of citizen service has been given increasing attention as a remedy for problems of civic disengagement. This study reviews 37 empirical studies about the relationship between service and citizenship. A formal model of change is used to guide the review. Six types of citizenship outcomes are discussed: citizenship-related cognitive understanding, citizenship attitudes, citizenship skills, institutional change, philanthropic and civic behaviors, and political behavior. Based on the review, several conclusions are drawn about what is known about the service-citizenship relationship.