Best of the Spectator Americano: will anyone miss the Boomers?
Dec 8, 2025
Christopher Caldwell, a journalist and author known for his insights into American politics, dives into the complex legacy of the baby boomer generation. He discusses how boomers harnessed the resources of other generations while enjoying unique privileges. Caldwell explores the growing resentment millennials feel towards boomers, highlighting cultural divides and housing challenges. He argues that as boomers age, the digital-native cohort may rise to prominence, reshaping cultural leadership and addressing generational tensions.
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Boomer Image Was Made By A Vocal Minority
- The cultural image of the baby boomers was set by a vocal subset born in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
- Christopher Caldwell argues that much of what we blame on 'boomers' actually reflects that subset's cultural dominance rather than the whole cohort.
Power Will Leap To A New Vanguard
- Political power won't simply pass to middle-aged successors when boomers retire; it will leap to a new vanguard generation.
- Caldwell identifies early-1990s-born digital natives (early 30s now) as the likely next cultural vanguard.
Demographics Drove Boomer Dominance
- Baby boomers reached demographic dominance, making up about 43% of voters and concentrating influence.
- That concentration let policies favouring boomer interests (education, entitlements, asset protection) reshape institutions.
