Why Do Young People Tend to Vote Left-Wing?
There is often a perception that young people are “woke” and “socialists” due to their left-wing political leanings. However, this view overlooks the significant role that older generations have played in shaping current political landscapes. The Baby Boomers and Generation X, while often cited as conservative role models, have a history of supporting liberal causes when they were younger. WOKE individuals would have been at the forefront of legitimizing NO-FAULT divorce, allowing women to negotiate support from their husbands (extorting money) without bowing down to authority, and advocating for abortion rights.
Comparing Generations: A Historical Perspective
The reality is that the older generations, including Baby Boomers and Generation X, have a record of supporting progressive policies. For instance, they were among the first to push for sweeping government expansion, such as mass spending and increased government surveillance, exemplified during George W. Bush's first term (2001-2005), which involved the massive expansion of government and subsequent pointlessness wars. These actions have set a precedent for younger generations to follow.
The Property and Income Paradox
Young people today face a unique challenge in terms of property ownership and income. Many in Generation Z and subsequent generations are either renting or still residing with their parents, and thus they do not benefit from property taxes or possess significant wealth to lose. This social and economic situation has led them to vote for left-wing policies such as higher taxes, wealth redistribution, and attacks on property rights.
Communists and left-leaning ideologies often promise “free stuff” without acknowledging the long-term consequences, such as increased government control and higher taxes. These policies do not significantly affect young people who have no property and little income. Instead, they perceive these promises of government support as beneficial without considering the costs.
Conservative Policies: Myths and Realities
On the other hand, conservative policies have often failed to address the challenges faced by young people. Raising wages, affordability of housing, and uncertainty around family planning are critical issues that traditional conservatives have struggled to address. Global warming and climate change have exacerbated these challenges, making it difficult for young people to see any value in conserving resources when they are already struggling.
Overall, young people are economically worse off compared to their parents in the developed world. This economic disparity leads them to lean towards left-wing politics, viewing policies like higher taxes and wealth redistribution as ways to improve their economic situations. In countries where the main liberal party is the conservatives, young people are often voting for Labour, Green, socialist, or independent parties.
The Voting Age Debate
The debate over the voting age is complex. While some argue that increasing the voting age to property owners might seem logical given the concerns about policy impacts, it would exclude a significant portion of the population. The ideal solution would likely be a system where individuals demonstrate a certain level of economic responsibility before being granted the right to vote. This would ensure that voters are more likely to understand the implications of their decisions, especially when it comes to policies like higher taxes and greater government control.
Regardless of the voting age, the responsibility lies with political leaders to address the issues that young people face and make their policies more appealing. If conservatives want to regain the support of younger voters, they must find ways to address these economic and social challenges effectively.
Conclusion: The voting behavior of young people is influenced by a combination of social, economic, and political factors. While older generations may have played a role in shaping current political landscapes, the economic challenges faced by younger people today are driving their left-wing leanings. Political leaders must adapt their policies to address these concerns and find ways to engage younger voters effectively.