From Boomers to Zoomers: generational shifts in drivers of satisfaction with democracy in Western Europe

A crucial factor for the survival of democracies is the extent to which democratic attitudes are widespread in a society. Yet, in a context of increasing dissatisfaction in Western Europe, some studies suggest that younger generations are becoming less attached to democracy. In this article, we take a step back and explore the factors that can explain generational differences in democratic attitudes. In particular, we identify the political and economic drivers of satisfaction with democracy and test for variation across generations in West European democracies. By incorporating the newly of-age Generation Z, we compare the political drivers of satisfaction with democracy of this cohort with those of older generations. Our results show that younger cohorts’ satisfaction with democracy is more influenced by economic conditions than previous cohorts. The results highlight the importance of addressing the economic well-being and specific needs of younger generations to mitigate their disenchantment with democracy.