Make Me Smart Is the U.S. a gerontocracy?
Dec 4, 2025
Owen Zidar, a Princeton economist and public affairs professor, discusses the implications of the U.S. evolving into a gerontocracy. He highlights the alarming wealth gaps affecting younger generations and critiques how public policy has favored older Americans. Zidar explains how low interest rates and rising asset prices have bolstered boomers' wealth while leaving younger people behind. He calls for campaign finance reforms to enhance representation and urges a critical investment in youth to foster future growth.
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Representation Age Gap And Wealth Divide
- The median ages of the House and Senate far exceed the median American age, signaling a generational mismatch in representation.
- Baby boomers hold vastly more wealth than Gen X and millennials, creating systemic disparities across generations.
Personal Examples Of Youth Hardship
- Owen Zidar describes how the U.S. puts more safety nets around older people, making child poverty rates higher than elderly poverty.
- He uses examples like declining marriage rates and reduced homeownership among young parents to illustrate life-stage struggles.
Spending Skews Heavily Toward Older Americans
- The U.S. federal government spends roughly five times more per older person than per child, skewing investments away from high-return youth programs.
- Investing in children yields strong long-term returns like lower incarceration and better labor-market outcomes.
