As the United States gears up for another presidential election, a new book titled Generational Politics in the United States: From the Silents to Gen Z and Beyond, edited by Sally Friedman and David Schultz, examines how different generations affect U.S. politics. Published by the University of Michigan Press, the book is set to be released on June 18, 2024, and will be available in multiple formats, including open access for free online reading.
The significance of this book lies in its comprehensive analysis of generational politics—a topic that has been the subject of numerous discussions and news articles, such as the 2024 New York Times headlines “Young Voters Have an Entirely Different Concept of Politics” and “Prospect of a Rematch of Biden-Trump Causes Young Voters to Retreat.” These headlines underscore the evolving landscape of political engagement among different age groups, making the book's insights particularly timely and relevant.
Generational Politics in the United States aims to demystify the assumptions often made about generational political leanings. For instance, the Silent Generation is often stereotyped as predominantly Republican and conservative, while Millennials are seen as liberal and diverse. The book challenges these generalizations by providing a detailed examination of how generations manifest within elite behavior and public opinion, shaping the discourse around political socialization.
The book is part of the University of Michigan Press's “Dialogues in Democracy” collection, which seeks to provide readers with contextualized experiences of voting in America. According to Elias Dinas of the European University Institute, the book goes beyond public opinion to explore generational impacts on elite behavior, making it a cornerstone in the study of generational politics.
With contributions from various political science scholars, the book explores the role of generations in American politics, examining how they intersect with other variables such as age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status. It also delves into the implications of the passing of the Baby Boom generation and the rise of Millennials and Gen Z, offering predictions on how these shifts will influence future political landscapes.
By making the book available in open access format, the University of Michigan Press ensures that its valuable insights are accessible to a broad audience. This move aligns with the Press’s mission to advance global digital and print publishing and to support the dissemination of quality knowledge as widely and freely as possible.
As the first comprehensive book to examine the concept of generations from a political science perspective, Generational Politics in the United States is poised to become an essential resource for understanding how generational dynamics shape American politics. Its publication provides scholars, policymakers, and the general public with crucial insights just as the nation prepares for another critical election cycle.
