Citizens of the World Political Engagement and Policy Attitudes of Millennials across the Globe

The Millennial Generation, those born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s, is the most educated, digitally connected, and globalized in the history of the world. Around the globe, this generation encompasses 1.8 billion people--a quarter of the world's population--and will soon produce a majority of the world's political, economic, and social leaders. Millennials grew up experiencing the terrorist attacks of September 11, the perpetual "war on terror", the global proliferation of the internet and smart phones, and the increased interconnectedness of people around the world. In many countries, Millennials' young adulthood has been marked by high rates of unemployment and underemployment that surpass those of their parents and grandparents, making them the first generation in the modern era to have higher rates of poverty than their predecessors at the same age. These factors afford a unique opportunity to explore how Millennial attitudes, compared to older adults, vary across different cultures, political settings, and economic circumstances.

Citizens of the World examines the Millennial Generation from a comparative perspective, providing insight into the degree to which generational differences in political attitudes and behaviors transcend cultures and borders. The book looks at Millennial attitudes about family life, gender roles, institutions, politics, religion, lifestyle, and the future to better understand how or if governance will change under this generation and the degree of influence they currently wield in different countries. Key to this research is the finding that Millennials have developed a global identity that distinguishes them from older adults. Drawing on data from Australia, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Citizens of the World shows how this global identity has developed and how it fuels Millennials' policy attitudes and willingness to engage in the political world.

Stella M. Rouse is Professor in the Department of Government and Politics, Director of the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement, and Associate Director of the Critical Issues Poll at the University of Maryland.

Jared McDonald is Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Mary Washington.

Richard N. Engstrom is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland.

Michael J. Hanmer is Professor in the Department of Government and Politics and Research Director for the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland.

Roberto González is Professor of Social Psychology at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Principal Investigator at the Centre for Social Conflict and Cohesion Studies (COES; ANID/FONDAP 15130009), and Associated Researcher at the Center for Intercultural and Indigenous Research (CIIR; ANID/FONDAP 15110006).

Siugmin Lay is Assistant Research Professor at the Centro de Medición, MIDE UC, at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Daniel Miranda is Assistant Research Professor at the Centro de Medición, MIDE UC, at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Associated Researcher at the Centre for Social Conflicts and Cohesion Studies (COES; ANID/FONDAP 15130009), and Principal Investigator of ANID/FONDECYT N°11190508.

1. Introduction: U21 Global Survey: Millennials as Citizens of the World

2. Millennials and the Shift toward a Global Identity

3. Millennials as Digital Natives: News Consumption and Political Preferences

4. How (Politically) Conventional Are Millennials? Exploring Preferences for Varying Forms of Political Participation

5. Duty-Based Citizenship, Engaged Citizenship, or Somewhere in the Middle? Millennials' Interest in Serving the Public

6. Millennials: The Global Perspective and the Future of a Shared Generational Identity

Global Millennial Survey Questionnaire
Notes
Works Cited
Index