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Patrick Boyle On Finance
Why Are Politicians So Old?
Mar 4, 2025
The rise of older political leaders is examined, revealing that U.S. lawmakers are significantly older than their counterparts in other wealthy democracies. The mental and physical fitness of aging officials is questioned, raising concerns about their ability to govern effectively. Challenges include the lack of representation for younger generations and debates over age limits for office. A contentious proposal for competency tests for politicians over 75 sparks discussion about the generational divide in politics.
17:48
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Quick takeaways
- The alarming age discrepancy between political leaders and their constituents raises concerns about the ability of older politicians to effectively address younger generations' priorities.
- The historical trend of increasingly older leaders is heightened by uncompetitive elections and poses questions about age limits and mental competency standards in governance.
Deep dives
Aging Leadership Trends
The average age of world leaders has significantly increased over the last 50 years, with the average president or prime minister now being 62 years old, compared to 55 in 1975. Most densely populated countries today have leaders over the age of 70, a notable example being the president of Cameroon, who is 92 while governing a country with an average population age of 18. This trend is particularly prominent in authoritarian regimes, where leaders are more likely to retain power and have aged considerably over the decades. In contrast, democracies tend to feature younger leaders, showing that the way citizens are governed impacts the average age of political figures.
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