Has the regeneracy arrived?

[Snowflake1996]

(02-17-2020, 12:33 AM)pbrower2a Wrote:

(02-16-2020, 09:56 PM)Snowflake1996 Wrote: This fourth turning certainly feels much more like the 1850’s than the 1930’s. Millennials even have certain Xer traits like very low trust in institutions, low civic engagement (they vote at lower levels than boomers did at the same age + their union/marriage/religious attendance/military service rates are lower than that of even Xers), etc.

I do think this “cold civil war” era ends with the Left ultimately winning out since this civic generation going back to the 2004 election has consistently favored the Left and it’s policies but I worry about how this’ll play out for the nation.

Consider some of the causes. The Millennial Generation is too rational to see religion as a solution -- yet -- to their problems. They saw far too much of televangelists making fools of themselves, and that is more effective than well-argued arguments by atheists against religion. Fraternal organizations have yet to figure how to attract them as they did the GI Generation. Corporate America has not been their friend, as their young-adult period has been one of limited opportunity (low, rigid glass ceilings).  The Millennial Generation has been far to the left of other generations in politics, especially among elected officials who simply do not understand current voters under 40. Unions? Corporate America and its political acolytes have done everything possible to destroy unions between "McJobs", a gig economy, long apprenticeships through temporary agencies, offshoring of industrial jobs, and a concerted effort to push "Right to Work" laws (which I cynically call "Duty to Starve" laws). Wages for young workers are depressed, and just to get college education necessary for holding a non-retail white-collar job one needs a high-cost college degree which has huge debt attached.  

The economy has become a grim contest to determine who will suffer the most yet put on that big, wide "Happy to Serve You!" smile. 

Other generations (Silent, Boom, and X) are about 5% more R than D -- and this generation is about 20% more D than R. You can see the disconnect between elected officials over 40 and this generation.

Will the Millennial Generation solve lots of problems? Sure -- in ways for which much of America will be unready.

 

I agree with all of your points, especially regarding unions. Although we are halfway through the 4th turning now (Howe and others suspect that it’ll end around 2030, a solid 84 year old cycle from the start in 1946) and millennials have only shown two consistent signs of community spirit: increasing college attainment and social media. I’m not sure if these two connections will be enough to propel a regeneracy but we’ll see. Certainly these two forces are working in tandem with one another: it’s the college educated youth that are politically active on social media. These young adults are after all the the most quintessential group of millennials outlined by Strauss and Howe in Generations (minus the re-emergence of traditional gender roles which would likely only occur in the event of another world war). 

I look forward to seeing how millennials and similar-minded boomers such as yourself, Eric the Green, and my dad are able to work together politically to get us through this crisis. My hope is that this cold civil war is resolved peacefully between red and blue America.