Why Are Young People Losing Faith in Democracy?

Summary

A recent study revealed that a growing number of young people in the UK, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are losing faith in democracy. With economic hardship, rising inequality, and a perceived lack of political representation, more youth are turning towards populist leaders and questioning democratic systems. Studies show that younger generations are less satisfied with democracy compared to older ones at the same age. This video explores why this is happening, focusing on factors like economic conditions, political corruption, and democratic transition fatigue, urging for greater inclusion of young voices in the political process to address these concerns.

Takeaways

• 😀 A report by Channel 4 found that 52% of Gen Z in the UK support strong, authoritarian leadership, and a third believe the Army should take charge, reflecting dissatisfaction with democracy.
• 😀 The dissatisfaction with democracy among young people isn't just a Gen Z issue; Millennials are also increasingly dissatisfied compared to older generations at the same age.
• 😀 A 2020 study by the University of Cambridge highlighted that younger generations are more dissatisfied with democracy compared to previous generations, especially in Western democracies like the UK, US, and Canada.
• 😀 Despite their dissatisfaction, young people are not inherently anti-democratic; they just believe that the current democratic system doesn't work for them.
• 😀 Economic conditions, including wealth inequality, slow wage growth, high cost of living, and unaffordable housing, are significant factors driving disillusionment among young people.
• 😀 Young people, facing systemic economic exclusion, are more likely to support both left-wing and right-wing populist movements, hoping for transformative change.
• 😀 Perceptions of corruption and inequality within democratic institutions, like the UK's House of Lords, contribute to young people's dissatisfaction with democracy.
• 😀 Democratic transition fatigue is a phenomenon where youth satisfaction with democracy drops significantly after 25 years of its existence, due to limited exposure to undemocratic rule.
• 😀 Younger generations in the UK have only experienced the flaws of democracy, such as youth unemployment and corruption, but haven't lived through transitions that might renew democratic hope.
• 😀 To address the democratic crisis in the UK, there is a need for more youth inclusion in political conversations and decision-making processes to prevent rising social isolation and populism.

Q & A

What percentage of 13 to 27-year-olds support authoritarian leadership, according to the Channel 4 report?

52% of 13 to 27-year-olds support authoritarian leadership, as per the Channel 4 report.

What did the July poll reveal about young people's dissatisfaction with democracy in the UK?

The July poll found that nearly half of British 16 to 21-year-olds were dissatisfied with the way democracy works in the UK.

How does the dissatisfaction with democracy among Millennials compare to previous generations?

Millennials are more dissatisfied with democracy than previous generations at the same age, according to a study by the University of Cambridge.

What did the 2020 Cambridge study reveal about intergenerational dissatisfaction with democracy?

The 2020 Cambridge study revealed that each generation is more dissatisfied with democracy than the previous one at the same age, especially in Western democracies like the UK, US, and Canada.

How did young people’s satisfaction with democracy change under populist leadership?

The Cambridge study found that satisfaction with democracy among young people (aged 18 to 34) rose by 16 percentage points when a populist leader was in office, compared to when moderates were in power.

What economic factors are contributing to young people’s disillusionment with democracy in the UK?

Rising wealth inequality, slowed wage growth, higher cost of living, soaring rents, and increasingly unaffordable housing are key economic factors driving young people's dissatisfaction with democracy in the UK.

How does economic exclusion influence young people's political views?

Economic exclusion leads young people to support populist leaders who promise transformative agendas addressing issues like wages, unemployment, and youth debt, as seen in both left-wing and right-wing populist movements.

What is meant by 'democratic transition fatigue'?

'Democratic transition fatigue' refers to the idea that young people become disillusioned with democracy after living in it for about 25 years, as they haven't experienced undemocratic rule and have only witnessed the flaws in their own systems.

How do perceptions of corruption affect youth satisfaction with democracy?

Countries with higher levels of corruption tend to have lower youth satisfaction with democracy, whereas countries with better access to jobs, affordable housing, and fewer corrupt practices tend to have higher satisfaction among young people.

What is the potential impact of an increasingly disillusioned youth on the UK’s political system?

An increasingly disillusioned youth could lead to falling voter turnout, rising populism, growing social isolation, and the exclusion of young people from the political process, which may undermine democracy in the UK.