Love of Money, and Personal Sense of Power as Predictors of Political Engagement Dimensions Among Undergraduates

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between love of money and personal sense of power as predictors of political engagement dimensions among undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The participants were 1,158 undergraduates who volunteered from three randomly selected faculties. The participants were made up of 541 (46.7%) males and 617 (53.3%) females with an age range of 19 to 30 years, a mean 23.33 years, and a standard deviation 2.82. Data was collected using questionnaires. Results suggested that love of money significantly and positively predicted political engagement dimension (electoral behaviour) among undergraduates. Similarly, personal sense of power significantly and positively predicted political engagement dimensions (electoral behaviour, political voice, attentiveness, and social media).  The focus of discussion was on the reasons why love of money and personal sense of power predicted political engagement among the study participants. It was recommended that incumbent government and politicians should deploy incentives like scholarships, free medicals, free text books, and free internet access. These benefits may go may go a long way for undergraduates to develop interest in politics.