The Social Imaginary of Youth Toward Freedom and Democracy: A Field Study in the City of Baghdad

Abstract

This study explores the social imaginary of university youth and their perceptions of freedom and democracy through the lens of Cornelius Castoriadis’s theory. It views these concepts as imaginary significations shaped by the collective imaginary. However, everyday social reality reveals gaps in understanding and internalizing these ideas, leading to distorted practices and a disconnect from the institutional frameworks that give them meaning and legitimacy. The study argues that the absence or distortion of these shared meanings in collective consciousness contributes to weakened democratic practices and a diminished sense of citizenship. Therefore, reconfiguring the social imaginary is essential to restore balance between institutional structures and daily practices. Using a social survey methodology, the study relies on a scale-based questionnaire to examine how university youth perceive freedom and democracy in practice, and to assess the clarity and stability of these concepts within their consciousness.