The story
The paper challenges an assumption that promoting civic activity necessarily supports peaceful social change. Analysis of 3,637 adults in Bosnia and Herzegovina distinguishes passive, constructive, aggressive, and violent civic tendencies.
A finding to take away
Constructive and aggressive engagement can overlap. Their associated factors span intergroup relations, political attitudes, personal circumstances, and information consumption. Peacebuilding therefore needs to ask which forms of civic engagement it supports, rather than simply seeking more participation.
This is an observational survey analysis, not proof that a particular intervention causes a change in behaviour.