Viktor Valgardsson, a political participation researcher, John Burn-Murdoch, a data reporter at the Financial Times, and Jake Grumbach, an associate professor at UC Berkeley, dive into the concerning trends of youth voter disengagement. They discuss how young people feel alienated from mainstream politics despite high democratic standards in some regions. The guests explore generational divides, suggesting reforms like automatic voter registration and community engagement to encourage political participation among millennials and Gen Z.
Political apathy arises from young people's perceived detachment from traditional political parties, despite their stable interest in politics.
Barriers to youth engagement include systemic issues in political institutions and a lack of relatable communication from representatives.
Deep dives
The Rise of Political Apathy Among Youth
Political apathy among young citizens has emerged as a significant issue, particularly in Scandinavian countries that are often idealized as models of democracy. Despite high living standards and generally stable political systems, many young voters in nations like Norway and Finland are increasingly disengaged from the electoral process. Research shows that while political interest among youth may be stable or rising, their motivation to vote has significantly declined. The apathy is contrasted with a growing disconnection from traditional political parties, which appear to fail in engaging this demographic effectively.
Understanding Apathy versus Alienation
Political scientists differentiate between apathy and alienation as two distinct motivations behind youth disengagement. Apathy refers to a lack of interest or care about politics, while alienation denotes dissatisfaction with the political system despite an interest in political issues. Surveys indicate that younger generations are generally more politically interested than before, yet they feel detached from the mechanisms of political representation. This sentiment is compounded by a diminished sense of civic duty to vote, leading many young individuals to require compelling reasons to participate in elections.
Barriers to Youth Engagement
Several factors contribute to the barriers that prevent young people from engaging in politics, including systemic issues within political institutions and traditional campaigning practices. Young voters often perceive the political discourse as tedious and unrelatable, craving authenticity and relatability from their representatives. Given the fast-paced nature of contemporary society and social media, traditional political communication fails to resonate with younger audiences, exacerbating feelings of disillusionment. Consequently, mainstream parties struggle to mobilize young voters, who are increasingly drawn to anti-establishment alternatives that appear more in tune with their values and expectations.
The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Turnout
Youth turnout in the United States has drastically declined over the years, particularly among those in lower socioeconomic strata. Factors such as income, education, and homeownership significantly influence voting behavior, with affluent and educated individuals more likely to participate in elections. The systemic alienation of marginalized demographics, combined with a sense of nihilism regarding their political efficacy, contributes to low turnout rates among young voters. As a result, America's political landscape becomes dominated by the views of older, more established individuals, further deepening the divide between generations and perspectives in democracy.
In many democracies voter turnout is lower than it’s ever been, especially among young people. Ben wants to know what we can do to get millennials and Gen Z to the polls. Do we need to rethink how we cast a vote? Why aren’t politicians more focused on winning over the next generation of voters? And how can we stop this trend so that political apathy doesn’t become political alienation?
Guests:
Viktor Valgardsson, Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow at Southampton University
John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter at the Financial Times
Jake Grumbach, associate professor at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley
What’s Wrong with Democracy? is produced by Tortoise Media and supported by the Open Society Foundations.
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Host: Professor Ben Ansell
Producers: Ada Barume, Eleanor Biggs and Katie Gunning