Laboratories of Democracy in Social Studies Education: A Systematic Review on Strengthening Students’ Critical Thinking and Social Awareness

Abstract

Social studies education plays an important role in developing students’ democratic values, critical thinking skills, and social awareness. The concept of Laboratories of Democracy has emerged as a participatory learning approach that engages students in democratic practices through discussions of social issues, democratic simulations, debates, and community-based learning activities. This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Laboratories of Democracy concept in Social Studies Education and examine its contribution to strengthening students’ critical thinking skills and social awareness. This study employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) design to examine relevant studies published between 2015 and 2025. Data were collected through a systematic search of the Scopus database using keywords related to Laboratories of Democracy, Social Studies Education, critical thinking, social awareness, and democratic education. Additional studies were identified. The selected studies were analyzed using descriptive, thematic, and comparative analysis to identify implementation patterns, outcomes, and challenges. The findings indicate that the implementation of Laboratories of Democracy commonly involves discussions of social issues, democratic simulations, and participatory learning activities that encourage student engagement. This approach contributes positively to strengthening students’ critical thinking skills, particularly in analyzing problems, evaluating arguments, and making informed decisions. In addition, the approach enhances students’ social awareness by increasing sensitivity to social issues and encouraging participation in democratic life. However, several challenges remain, including limited teacher competence, difficulties in managing democratic classroom environments, and diverse socio-cultural contexts. This study highlights the importance of strengthening teachers’ capacity to integrate democratic approaches into Social Studies learning practices.