This work challenges the conventional understanding of social arenas as merely gateways to traditional political participation, arguing that they function as independent political arenas where citizens exercise political agency. Using LAPOP data from 18 Latin American countries, the authors show that participation in social arenas has distinct demographic correlates relative to electoral participation, with higher levels of engagement among women, indigenous peoples, and individuals with lower levels of formal education. They also identify an "inclusion paradox": social arenas incorporate groups that face barriers in traditional political spaces. Yet, because this inclusion comes partly from exclusion, participation in some of these social arenas correlates with lower support for democracy. Case studies from Guatemala, Peru, and Chile illustrate how participation in social arenas has led to significant political changes. Our findings contribute to political participation theory by illustrating how citizens engage politically across diverse arenas.
