The Z Generation Talks

 The Z Generation Talks               Gerry OShea

The word cynicism is derived from the Greek noun kuon meaning dog. In its modern usage it conveys a scornful attitude to life, evoking imagery of a growling canine. It is a word that is frequently used to describe the current American democratic system – jaded, floating in tribalism and unresponsive to people’s needs.

Take the issue of gun control. In repeated surveys more than ninety per cent of citizens believe that somebody wishing to acquire a handgun should be licensed, which is mandated in some states but needs to apply nationally to be effective. The other sensible demand with massive public approval insists on banning the availability of assault weapons except for the military.

 Who objects to these popular, reasonable requests? The National Rifle Association (NRA), a rich pro-gun lobby group, venomously opposes even minor restrictions in gun ownership, and the record shows that they have the clout in high places to get their way.

 According to CNN, there have been 180 school shootings in the last decade resulting in 356 deaths – a stupefying statistic. Many of the killers were in their teens, armed with deadly semiautomatic weapons.

These and similar outrages result in mass protests demanding that gun licensing laws be enacted similar to those in every other Western country, but enough elected representatives in Washington bow to the money and rhetoric of the NRA, leaving bills to tighten gun ownership on the shelf.

 No wonder that most young people are cynical about democracy. They realize that even when the vast majority of citizens want strong restrictions on the right to purchase firearms, their elected representatives fail to respond. Instead, they cozy up to the NRA with its lavish check book.

In an important new book, Fight; How Generation Z is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America, John Della Volpe, the director of polling at the Harvard Institute of Politics, claims that his research points to a major positive change in political attitudes and aspirations by children born in the 1990s, identified as Generation Z.

Many of these young people have done all the “right things,” working hard to succeed in college or in training programs only to find that  heavy student-loan payments stymie their professional plans, often preventing them from leaving their parents’ home. While frustration at their own financial predicament partly explains their dissatisfaction with the status quo, Della Volpe finds that they have a much wider, serious agenda

His study claims that about 70 million Americans fit in this broad Gen Z category, accounting for larger numbers than the baby boomers. They are ethnically diverse with significant growth of multiracial citizens, and about 80% describe themselves as heterosexual with 12% identifying as bi or homo sexual, much higher than previous generations.

Around 50% are white, 25% Hispanic, 14% Black, 6% Asian and the remaining 5% classify themselves as “other.”

In the presidential contest in 2000, young and older Americans supported Bush and Gore in about equal numbers. In the 2014 midterms, Republicans made major gains winning the popular vote by six points; by the midterms in 2018, led by a big upsurge in the number of young voters, Democrats won by eight points – a stunning 14-point turnaround in just four years.

In that election, younger voters, under 25, favored Democrats by 37 points. Slightly older ones (25 to 30) were recorded as preferring Biden’s party by a little lower at 33 points.

 The 2020 presidential contest saw this trend continuing. Joe Biden’s share of the under 35 cohort was higher than in any other national election, except for Barack Obama in 2008. Claims that the increase in the youth vote for Democrats won them the White House and control of the senate are well-founded.

Two additional polls taken in recent years confirm these trends. In one study when young people were asked which political party best represent their views, two-thirds declared for the Democrats and one-third for the Republican philosophy of government. Another prestigious poll taken of those under 30 in 2017 surprisingly revealed that a slight majority (44%) favored socialism over capitalism (42%).

The perception that young people start out favoring progressive political solutions, but then inevitably move to more conservative positions as they get older is part of accepted wisdom. Della Volpe claims that his research indicates clearly that this dynamic does not apply to Gen Z.

These young people are drawn together by three main issues which they claim their generation will handle much differently than previous generations. Their priorities start with climate change at the top of their agenda.

There is clear scientific agreement that we are adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere which means that - without radical lifestyle changes - we are warming up and heading for climate disaster in our planet. The question is not whether but when! Republicans deny the scientific evidence. Under former President Trump, America withdrew from the modest international Paris Climate Accord with no major dissenting voice in his party.

By comparison, Democrats offer a vital alternative with policies that include close attention to the environmental effects of all planning decisions, and budgetary estimates include actions designed to reduce the different types of pollution. Still, young people consider present plans inadequate and are voicing demands for far more radical policies.

Second, they have also set their faces against racism and white nationalism in all their ugly manifestations.  Z people want to see this culture of unfairness and discriminal;ization disappear for good as their parents and grandparents move to the side.

In August, 2017, Neo-Nazis and menacing fascists of all kinds joined other white supremacists for a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Many of these bullies displayed guns to assert their strength, and in a clear case of vehicular terrorism, a peaceful counter-marcher, Heather Heyer, was killed by a speeding car deliberately intent on injury. Generation Zers were heavily represented in the powerful counter demonstration. Former President Trump’s contentious judgement on the violent fracas shocked the country; he declared that there were very good people on both sides.

Third, they refuse to continue in an economic system that clearly favors the rich. Technological advances have resulted in major gains in the GDP with the big increase in profits overwhelmingly benefiting millionaires and billionaires. The ground floor workers in restaurants and warehouses have barely held their own. The national minimum national minimum wage is stuck at  a miserable $7.25 for years.

 A recent poll shows that 68% of Americans support expanding trade union membership to help reduce the level of inequality. However, anti-union legislation and corporate opposition tactics have minimized union membership in private companies to a measly 6%.

Della Volpe found that young people in Generation Z will no longer settle for a situation where, unlike every other Western country,  millions of citizens have no health insurance, and American women, after giving birth, have to return to work in a few days where in most European countries they are entitled to up to three months paid parental leave.

His book - with the engaging title - will surely be studied carefully by strategists from both political parties. Generation Z will play an increasingly important role in American politics for the foreseeable future.

Gerry OShea blogs at wemustbetalking