The Millennials: America's First Post-Ideological, Post-Partisan, and Post-Political Generation

A new generation is poised to seize the reins of history. It's a generation unique in history--the Millennial generation. Born between 1978 and 2000, the Millennials currently include 95 million young people up to 30 years of age--the biggest age cohort in U.S. history.
The Millennial generation has already begun to emerge as a powerful political and social force. They are smart, well-educated, open-minded, and independent--politically, socially, and philosophically. They are also a caring generation, one that is ready to put the greater good ahead of individual rewards. (Hence our preferred name for them--"Generation We.") And they are already spearheading a period of sweeping change.

For our new book Generation We, I sponsored a major research study into the characteristics of the Millennial generation. It was conducted by Gerstein | Agne Strategic Communications, one of the most respected research organizations in the U.S., and included both extensive oral and written surveys and a series of in-depth focus groups. The Greenberg Millennials Study (GMS) offers the most detailed portrait available of the attitudes and values of today's youth, and we've supplemented it with extensive research into other indicators of the behaviors and beliefs of the Millennials. Here's some of what we found.

First, by comparison with past generations, Generation We is highly politically engaged. Voting turnout is one marker of this trend. In the 2004 election, the 18-24 year-old age group, completely composed of Millennials, increased their turnout 11 points to 47 percent of citizens in that age group, while 18-29 year-olds--dominated for the first time by Millennials--increased their turnout nine points, to 49 percent. These increases were far higher than among any other age group. Further increases occurred in the 2006 elections.

As a result, Generation We is already beginning to make its influence felt--and that influence is heavily leftward-leaning. If young people ruled America, Kerry would have won by a landslide in 2004, claiming 372 electoral votes to 166 for Bush. And in 2006, Millennial voters (then 18-29 years old) favored Democrats for Congress by a margin of 60 to 38 percent. They (not anti-Iraq-war-voters) were the swing voters who delivered Congress to the Democrats.

Yet though the Millennials lean Democratic, our research demonstrates that they're far more wedded to progressive political and social views than to any party. More Millennials in our study described themselves as independents (39 percent) than either Democrats (34 percent) or Republicans (24 percent). And on issue after issue, from the economy to global warming to the war in Iraq, the young people we surveyed favored progressive solutions even as they rejected both "conservative" and "liberal" labels.

Generation We is also eager for political, social, and economic change. Our GMS asked Millennials whether their generation was more likely or less likely than earlier generations to be characterized by various attitudes and behaviors. Over three quarters (78 percent) said that Millennials were more likely than earlier generations to "embrace innovation and new ideas"--by far the strongest result for any of the 14 characteristics we tested.

They're also highly entrepreneurial in their thinking. Another question in the GMS found 87 percent of Generation We agreeing with the statement, "Throughout our history, America's success has been built on innovation and entrepreneurship. As we confront the many challenges facing us today, it is that same spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that is needed to maintain America's strength in the 21st century."

But Generation We doesn't equate entrepreneurial problem-solving with cowboy-style "lone wolf" individualism. Today's youth are sold on the value of political engagement, civic responsibility, and cooperative activism. For example, when they were asked about the best way to address the challenges facing the country, the leading choice by far was "through a collective social movement," with 60 percent making that option their first or second choice.
What does it all add up to? A political profile unlike that of any previous generation.

Determined to find their own solutions to the major problems we face, and convinced that their unprecedented levels of education and technological know-how will enable them to do so, Generation We shares a social orientation that might best be described in terms of what they have left behind. Speaking broadly, Generation We is post-ideological, post-partisan, and post-political.

They're post-ideological because they're uninterested in defending specifically "conservative" or "liberal" approaches to national problems. Instead, they're pragmatic, open-minded, and innovation-oriented, eager to experiment with new solutions no matter where they may come from.

They're post-partisan because they're disgusted with what they perceive as the narrowness, pettiness, and stagnation that characterize both major parties. Though they are open to the possibility of a third party, the Millennials are far more interested in getting beyond party identification altogether and in focusing on cooperative efforts to make America and the world a better place.

And they're post-political because they are fed up with the interest-group conflicts, identity-based appeals, and power-seeking maneuvers they see as dominating the public arena. More tolerant and accepting than any previous generation, Generation We is ready to call a halt to "culture wars" that pit people of different religions, races, ethnicities, regions, cultures, values, and sexual orientations against one another for political gain.

The Millennials believe that all of us--not only all Americans, but all humans across the planet--will ultimately share the same destiny, and therefore must find ways to work together for the common good. And they stand ready to lead the effort. Keep an eye on the Millennials: They're about to change our world forever--and, we believe, for the better.

Eric Greenberg and Karl Weber are authors of the forthcoming book Generation We: How Millennial Youth Are Taking Over America and Changing the World.

Comments

[Schallvain]

The problem with the MG is that you are right when you say they have embraced innovation, but the bigger problem with this group is that they do not understand it. There has been a major concern in the ranks of engineers over the last several years is that there is very few competent engineers coming from the new generations in the US. We found many come into the work force expecting a high salary and to be taught and trained on every step of their career. In their generation original or technical thought has been traded for a need for blind guidance. Students from Asia have found this generation to be a huge growth opportunity because it now gives them a chance to come in a fill the void that has been left by a technically incompetent generation.

[Opsimath44]

Wow. This and a BHL essay in the same day. Very well done, Huff.

[Heidfeld]

Even as a member of the generation in question, I have to call BS. As others have mentioned, this is the same thing that is said about every generation at this age. And as they get older, their views change and they become more and more like previous generations.

As I said, I am a member of this generation. I remember both elections vividly, and remember none of my friends caring at all. In 2004, I was working in an office filled with young people the day that Bush won his second term. And I was the ONLY one who was upset about it. My peers were asking me why I cared so much, and why I let it get to me.

As others have said, they care only about their own paychecks... and can't think far enough ahead as to what might be influencing those checks in a few years. And they have zero loyalty and very little respect for others.

[eomdal]

This is all sounds very much like what was being said about Generation X in 1992. So does a lot of what is being said about Y/Millennial /We/PostX these days.

The same lack of definition that all people have at a young age is being seen as "the new post-partisanism" and "rebellion against brand loyalty". Resistance to the idea of working for large institutions earns the label "entrepreneurial" (yes, this was written about Gen X alongside articles calling them slackers) and "The We Generation" was the name of a segment that MTV produced in '92.

And, they are being seen as the Democrats' ace in the hole in an election that is about "change" and the unseating of the Republicans from power.

A host of other attributes, such as the diversity in makeup and outlook, the comfort level with information technology, expectations of being indulged, mediocre level of education, etc, are often heard elsewhere and they all sound very familiar as well.

At this stage in their lives, Generation Y is still being called that for a good reason: They're Generation X version 2.0. I'm waiting for someone, anyone, in mainstream media to notice this_and_have the stones to say it to these kids' Boomer parents.

[faust2001]

Now if they could just come up with some decent music....

[mredder4]

The sad fact about the Millenials is that the GOP could lock in their vote with a free iPod giveaway convention. They are the Boomers re-incarnated: "Me, me, me, give it to me, now, all of it, now, I don't care about you, now, Now, NOW." Why? Because many of them were still raised by Boomers, those wonderful adultkids who put off parenting until their late 30s or early 40s and raised their kids to be just like them.

You're talking about the first generation of Americans that almost all grew up with their own TV set in their room, usually with requisite DVD and video game systems to go with it. The same generation that are all moving back home after college because they find that they can't get a job that pays enough to finance the "lifestyle" to which they are accustomed. God forbid that you accept a position that pays rent and bills, but doesn't leave enough for the monthly quote of download music fees. Everything they have has been given to them by Mom and Dad. They don't know how to earn, and sacrifice, and cooperate. These were kids who ALL were told they were special, and unique, and all that other crap that renders them all equally as brainless as each other.

Trust the Millenials? Yeah, right.

[Opsimath44]

//And on issue after issue, from the economy to global warming to the war in Iraq, the young people we surveyed favored progressive solutions even as they rejected both "conservative" and "liberal" labels.//

I'm not telling you anything you don't already realize, but typical "conservatives" always have one or two views that technically are liberal (in the sense of more vs. less government, federal vs. state, or freedom vs. equality). And vice versa.

But typical conservatives and liberals hate admitting this.

The new generation has no such hang-up. They really don't care about labels, and only use "liberal" and "conservative" for convenience. And even then, they are usually adjectives and not nouns. In other words, I might tend towards conservative solutions, but I am not a conservative. I am just a voter, citizen, whatever.

Obama gets credit for being post-racial, but a lot of his success is that the kids see him as post-partisan.

[Opsimath44]

I was overseas, fighting in the big sandbox, during the 2004 election, but I kept hearing how the kids loved Kerry, and how Springsteen was going to bring them all out. Turned out they didn't quite show up in the numbers he needed.

I can't definitively say that this year is different, but if it isn't this year, then it's never going to happen.

Here's what I've noticed, hanging around college kids. College aged kids might be liberal and they might be conservative, but either way, they don't hate the other side. They don't fear the other side. They see liberalism and conservatism as solution sets for our problems, not as personal identities. They have no problem being fiscally conservative but still in favor of gay marriage or against the war. There's no litmus test, and a score of 70% or 80% on the liberal or conservative test isn't a reason for concern. They are a la carte, politically — a little of this, a little of that.

It gives me hope for a viable third party in the near future.

[PhoenixEffect]

Good article! I'm glad to see generational theory finally gaining some prominence. One small quibble, though...the Millies really didn't start being born until 1982, as the graduating class of 2000. Those before then are really Gen X. It shows in how they were far more well-treated by government regulation than those evil X-ers.

[artleads]

Yes, in order to think clearly, we need to think about the planet as a WHOLE. It makes the concept of governance for the future amazingly simple. The most coherent unifyer among Earth's people is Climate Change. Deal with that appropriately (ironically, focusing on land rather than people) and the other problems are resolved. The young people, if this article is to be believed, seem to grasp this fact.

[Heidfeld]

Um, lets hope then that you are not one of the young people... because you are missing the point.

The great "unifyer" among earth's people is not climate change. That is too simple, too imediate, to narrow minded. No, the real "unifyer" is, and can only be, space exploration. Or, if you prefer, the exploration of the universe. That, my friend, is the big picture (and encompases the climate issue as well).

Sadly, I don't think most members of any generation see or understand this.

[SunnyD]

artleads, I couldn't agree more.

And Heidfeld,

Space exploration? Are you out of your mind? Glocal Climate Change threatens the very safety, security, and future of the human race. Saying it is not something that can unify a generation and a society is ridiculous and naive. There are already millions of global youth taking actions in their own countries, demanding for stronger action from their governments to curb greenhouse gas emissions. And if we don't rally around the climate crisis, there will be no time, money, or resources to even think about space. Let alone, there aren't any planets to go.

If you want to spend your life in a spaceship in futile search of another planet in another galaxy to colonize, while in the miserable confines of a massive spacecraft that doesn't exist yet, that's your own business. For me, and for millions of other young people, I think we're going to try our chances here. It's a fight worth fighting for. The science is clear. The planet needs us, the world needs us, and our generation needs to come together around bringing carbon emissions down. There is no other choice.

[charon]

To clarify, I meant "pre-mille­nnialists.­"

[charon]

I don't like "millennials" as a name for the generation you describe, since it sounds too much like, and is too easily confused with, "pre-millennials," a group that includes Sarah Palin, and who are very influential in modern politics. They are the greatest danger to the Republic as it now stands, and we need clarity in identifying them and the threat they pose to America.

[ShawnMichel]

Well put. I couldn't agree more.

I also must question this entire "study." It's getting tiring, hearing about all these next generations, and how they'll save us, and how enlightened they are, or will be.

And then five years go by, and we see that they are no better than the worst of us.

My bullshit alarm is ringing off the hook here.

I prefer to wait and see.

[MeiLing]

God/Allah/­Krishna/Bu­ddha/Jesus whatever! I certainly hope so!

[sjmaureen]

Well i am encouraged reading thius. This gives me hope for our country.Perhaps this group WILL turn out in high numbers for OBama, or if we get McCain this group will in time effect real change.