Abstract
Various social and political developments and conditions seem to result in a process of ‘decivilization’ which impedes - rather than facilitates - the project of a human and democratic society. In order to make this project a successful one it is necessary to reclaim citizens as politically acting subjects. The ability to act as enlightened and autonomous citizens will be sustainably acquired by experiencing extensive participation in society and in politics. Public educational efforts, especially civic education, should foster this process of ‘revitalization of citizenship’ by offering young people meaningful participatory experiences of social and political relevance. The effects of experiential learning presumably depend upon the extent to which the integration of components like subject-, action-, problem-orientation as well as authenticity and political relevance can be accomplished.
