Abstract: Based on the two dimensions of thinking—“meaning” and “problem”，this paper analyzes the reality and significance of students’ participation in political affairs. The dimension of meaning focuses on analyzing the values and significance of college students’ participation in political affairs to the political legitimacy，the promotion of harmonious society，the governance effectiveness of governments and colleges as well as the political socialization of students. While adhering to the dialectical unity of ideal condition and real practice，the dimension of “problem” evaluates the process of real practice by the value pursuit of ideal condition，and analyzes the features and primary problems of college students’ participation in political affairs.

Key words: ideological education in universities, college students’ political participation, political socialization, political democracy, political character education