The young have typically tended to vote on the left, seeing it as a vote against the status quo and the establishment. And as they got older tended to move to the right. But there are signs things are changing. In France's latest elections, Le Pen got more youth votes than the left. In Germany the far-right AfD was the largest party amongst young voters. While in the last US presidential election, Trump's youth vote was a third higher than in 2020. Some claim this is because the populist right has become the anti-establishment view, others point to a gender divide, but whatever the reason, more young people are turning to the right.
Should these new rebels be listened to as a challenge to a failed establishment? Given historical parallels, is this a dangerous and naive response to economic weakness? Or does this indicate a disintegration of what it is to be right or left wing, as the mainstream left becomes associated with a defence of the status quo?
Should these new rebels be listened to as a challenge to a failed establishment? Given historical parallels, is this a dangerous and naive response to economic weakness? Or does this indicate a disintegration of what it is to be right or left wing, as the mainstream left becomes associated with a defence of the status quo?
