Decentralizing Civic Engagement: Social Capital and Decentralized Civic Autonomy in the Digital Generation

Sammanfattning

While digital technologies have created new possibilities for civic participation, 25 years of e-participation initiatives have often reinforced top-down governance, limiting genuine youth engagement and weakening public trust. In Sweden, although efforts have been made to digitize civic processes, Young Adults (aged 18–29) continue to feel excluded from decision-making and disconnected from political institutions. This study investigates how decentralized digital infrastructures—specifically Autonomous Decentralized Networks (ADNs)—can foster civic autonomy and strengthen social capital among Young Adults. Drawing on Coleman’s (1988) Social Capital Theory (SCT) and Actor-Network Theory (ANT), the research explores the socio-technical dynamics of civic engagement in an increasingly digital democratic context. Based on this perspective, the authors construct a three-layered framework model titled Decentralized Civic Autonomy (DCA) to integrate (1) Social Capital Theory (SCT) with (2) the key elements of ADNs and (3) Actor-Network Theory (ANT). The proposition of the DCA model is grounded in findings derived from data triangulation where a thematic analysis of six semi-structured interviews and a content analysis of four municipal articles concerning democratic engagement strategies was conducted. The study identifies seven key thematic areas necessary for building social capital in decentralized civic environments: Social networks, Social trust, Social norms, Democratic engagement, Local participation, Digital participation, and Collaborations. Findings highlight the need for digital civic platforms to incorporate features such as transparent governance structures, peer-to-peer consensus mechanisms, privacy and security safeguards, engagement incentives, and inclusive interfaces tailored to Young Adults’ digital behaviors. Despite the potential of such systems, both supply-side (municipal institutions) and demand-side (young citizens) actors remain largely unaware of the existence and capabilities of decentralized models. The study concludes that a shift from institutionalized to decentralized civic engagement—anchored in digital autonomy, trust-building, and recognition—is essential for enabling meaningful civic participation among Young Adults. The proposed DCA framework model offers both theoretical and practical guidance for designing digital platforms that reflect the values, expectations, and social realities of Young Adults in Sweden.