One third of British youth prefers an authoritarian leader over democracy.
A troubling trend has emerged in the United Kingdom, with one-third of young adults (aged 18-30) expressing support for authoritarian systems over democracy, according to a poll conducted by the Adam Smith Institute.
This shift reflects a broader loss of faith in democratic institutions among the youth, exacerbated by perceptions of governmental inaction on critical challenges such as climate change and social inequality.
Causes of the Trend
The rise in support for authoritarianism is largely driven by economic hardship and future insecurity, disillusionment with political responsiveness, illiberal and anti-democratic influence, and educational and social factors.
Many young Britons feel that economic mismanagement has made life milestones like home ownership and starting a family unattainable, leading them to favour stronger, decisive leadership, even at some democratic cost.
A significant proportion of young people also believe that politicians do not adequately address their concerns, eroding trust in democratic processes. Moreover, groups opposing diversity and democracy actively target young people, exploiting this trust deficit.
Research suggests that education, especially in social sciences, shapes attitudes toward democracy, indicating that political socialization and generational experiences influence youth perspectives.
Implications of the Trend
The potential weakening of democratic norms and institutions due to decreasing youth support could undermine the UK's long-term political stability.
Increased appeal of authoritarianism might fuel polarization and social unrest if young people feel excluded from governance and decision-making.
The erosion of democratic values risks complicating responses to global challenges that require inclusive governance, such as climate change and human rights.
Potential Solutions
To mitigate this trend, comprehensive efforts are required to restore democratic trust, empower youth voices, and strengthen education on democratic principles.
Rebuilding trust through political responsiveness involves governments addressing youth priorities more effectively, demonstrating tangible action on economic opportunities, climate policy, and social justice to restore faith in democracy.
Supporting youth participation can be achieved by funding and empowering local youth-led groups to engage in peacebuilding, governance, and activism, strengthening democratic engagement and resilience against authoritarian narratives.
Educational initiatives, such as enhancing civic education and promoting critical thinking about governance systems, may help foster deeper democratic commitment among younger generations.
Active measures to counter misinformation and extremist recruitment targeting youth are also needed to protect democratic values.
Key Findings
- Nearly two fifths of respondents felt that politicians were not addressing the biggest issues in the UK.
- 66% of Reform voters claimed they were unhappy with the current state of affairs.
- Schubart also noted that young Britons are paying the price for years of economic mismanagement, making starting a family or buying a home increasingly out of reach.
- 1 in 5 young Brits were unsure about their preference for an authoritarian system, while 48% backed the current democratic system.
- Young Reform UK voters were the likeliest to support an authoritarian system.
- Over half of Labour and Conservative voters felt that politicians were not addressing the issues that mattered most to them.
- More Brits aged 18 to 30 have lost faith in politicians' ability to improve their lives, according to the same poll.
In summary, the increased support for authoritarianism among UK young adults stems from economic and political disenchantment and is exacerbated by deliberate illiberal campaigning. Mitigating this trend requires comprehensive efforts to restore democratic trust, empower youth voices, and strengthen education on democratic principles.
Tax reforms and policy-and-legislation changes are crucial in addressing the economic concerns of young adults that have contributed to the rise in support for authoritarian systems. This may help restore their faith in democracy and alleviate feelings of economic hardship. (taxes, policy-and-legislation)
The political consequences of decreasing youth support for democracy extend beyond the UK, influencing general-news headlines about democratic stability and governance world wide. (politics, general-news)
