Is America a gerontocracy?

Idris Kaloun, a staff writer for The Atlantic, argues that the United States is experiencing a gerontocracy, where older Americans hold a disproportionate amount of wealth, power, and influence. Kaloun defines gerontocracy as "rule by the old," highlighting that many political leaders, including the current president and members of Congress, are in their 70s and 80s. He notes that this trend extends beyond politics, as older Americans now control nearly three-quarters of the nation's wealth, a significant increase from previous decades when they held about half.

Kaloun discusses the taboo surrounding conversations about the wealth and influence of older generations, suggesting that political fears of alienating older voters contribute to the reluctance to address these issues. He emphasizes that while Social Security and Medicare have successfully reduced elder poverty, the current system may be unsustainable for younger generations, who face increasing economic challenges. The discussion also touches on the implications of this wealth concentration, including the potential for economic policies to favor older voters at the expense of younger citizens.

The conversation further explores the impact of aging populations on political representation and policy-making. Kaloun points out that the aging Congress may struggle to address long-term issues, such as the sustainability of Social Security and healthcare, as many members may not be incentivized to make difficult decisions that will affect future generations. He suggests that addressing zoning restrictions and reallocating resources to support younger populations could be practical steps toward mitigating the challenges posed by an aging society.

What does the country lose when one generation refuses to yield power?

In this episode, Vox host Jonquilyn Hill talks with Idrees Kahloon, staff writer at the Atlantic, about why he believes America has become a gerontocracy – a government whose rulers are older than the rest of the population. There’s the age of political leaders in Congress and the White House. And there’s also the economic impact of having Americans over the age of 55 holding nearly three-quarters of the nation's wealth.

Jonquilyn and Idrees examine how this demographic and economic shift came to pass over the last several decades. They get into the political taboo over reforming Social Security and Medicare, the impact of housing market restrictions and zoning on younger home buyers, and the ways that government spending heavily favors older voters.

Guest Host: Jonquilyn Hill, host of Explain It To Me

Guest: Idrees Kahloon, Staff writer, The Atlantic

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