How (Politically) Conventional Are Millennials?

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter reports how Millennials and non-Millennials from countries in the Global Millennial Survey differ from each other in several attitudinal and behavioral political dimensions. As a whole, Millennials voted (conventional participation) at lower rates compared to non-Millennials, although no consistent pattern emerged in the results when looking at activism (nonconventional participation). In addition, results showed almost no differences between these two age groups in political interest and internal political efficacy. However, compared to non-Millennials, Millennials considered that voting was less important in nearly all countries. Still, in almost half of the samples, Millennials in comparison to non-Millennials perceived that political activism and joining political organizations were more important. These findings are discussed in terms of their impact on the democratic system and the perceived legitimacy of governance.