Generation Gap: Why the Baby Boomers Still Dominate American Politics and Culture
The Baby Boomers are the largest and most powerful generation in recent American history. They dominate cultural and political institutions and make up the largest slice of the electorate. They’re also, on average, whiter, wealthier, and more conservative than younger generations, placing them increasingly at odds with those voters.
In this seminar, Penn State University Assistant Professor and CSMaP Faculty Affiliate Kevin Munger will discuss his new book, which marshals novel data and survey evidence to argue that generational conflict will define the politics of the next decade. Munger examines the historical trends that made the Baby Boomers so consequential, traces the emergence of age-based political and cultural divisions, and explains how a shared identity and purpose among Millennials and Gen Z could topple Boomer power. Particular focus will be placed on how age impacts and is impacted by the new media environment.
The conversation will be moderated by Charlotte Alter, a senior correspondent at TIME covering politics and social issues. She is also author of The Ones We’ve Been Waiting For: How a New Generation of Leaders Will Transform America, which chronicles how the unique political and economic circumstances of millennial youth have shaped their political leanings, and how they’re pushing back against Boomer dominance.
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