The Atlantic: Seniors Are More Conservative Because the Poor Die Off

[Unapologetic Chinaperson]

I read this article on The Atlantic, and I find it quite interesting in that it flips the (mistaken or otherwise) premise that older people are more conservative than other ones.

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It also addresses the fact that African Americans have shorter life expectancies than whites and are more likely to die prematurely. Which may be a reason why older generations are more white and Republican than younger ones.

Is this sort of analysis valid? How would politics be different if the poor and rich had equal life expectancies?

[Dr. MB]

It plays a significant role, no doubt.

Although, the racial makeup of the elderly is also because America was a much whiter country when they were born than now.

[mencken]

Or maybe those whose decision-making relies more on planning for the long term are both more likely to live longer and less like to subscribe to a philosophy that is dismissive of long-term consequences ("in the long run, we are all dead", as Keynes put it)

[The Free North]

There are plenty of poor, old conservatives. The fact of the matter is that most people become more right leaning as they get older, regardless of when they die off. Seniors vote Republican because thats who they support, not because all the democrats died at 70 instead of 80.

[pbrower2a]

I read this article on The Atlantic, and I find it quite interesting in that it flips the (mistaken or otherwise) premise that older people are more conservative than other ones.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

It also addresses the fact that African Americans have shorter life expectancies than whites and are more likely to die prematurely. Which may be a reason why older generations are more white and Republican than younger ones.

Is this sort of analysis valid? How would politics be different if the poor and rich had equal life expectancies?

Poverty kills. It exposes people to dangers ranging from delayed medical treatment to malnutrition, obesity, accidents, and crime (including domestic violence). It also connects to some of the more dangerous occupations, some of which have very low pay. Of course I mentioned crime as an important cause of death among poor people -- and cab drivers, retail clerks are more exposed to crime, and farm laborers have higher-than-average death rates from workplace accidents. 

   

[RINO Tom]

There are plenty of poor, old conservatives. The fact of the matter is that most people become more right leaning as they get older, regardless of when they die off. Seniors vote Republican because thats who they support, not because all the democrats died at 70 instead of 80.

This is not only not a "fact," there's evidence it's patently false.

[Tintrlvr]

It can't possibly account for the entirety of the current yawning generational divides in countries like the US and the UK, but it is interesting to posit. One countervailing indicator to consider is that generational political polarization is currently at or near an all-time high, but political polarization along income lines has been declining over time. But it probably does account for at least a small portion of the divide, and maybe a larger portion in countries where the generational divide is otherwise smaller (or the income divide larger).