Foreword

Abstract

Foreword Josh Grundleger Generations have always had powerful effects on large facets of human interaction. Different generations have unique perspectives, values, customs and ideologies. This variation has often had significant social and political implications, sometimes leading to tensions and conflict. It has also allowed generations to learn from and help each other in numerous ways; passing down acquired knowledge or supporting children or parents. However, the effects of generations reach beyond inter-generational interaction. Divergent generational perspectives have led to notably different policies as the young grow up and assume the mantle of power from their parents. This has had ramifications for both domestic policy and international relations. It has, at times, meant the difference between a state of war or peace, or yielded radically different conceptualizations of a society and government. Because of these effects, studying the constitution of and interaction between generations is essential for today’s policymakers. This is particularly salient given the drastic demographic changes occurring across the globe. Developed states are experiencing a “graying” of their populations, as individuals live longer while simultaneously having fewer children. This has changed the relative balance between old and young in society, raising questions about the efficacy of current social and economic policies, including treatment of pensions, taxation and labor. Concurrently, many developing countries are experiencing increases in the size of their youngest generations. “Youth bulges” are having increasingly larger impacts on international and domestic politics, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. As the Arab Spring has demonstrated, large youth populations can instigate massive social and political change. Transformations in generational composition make it imperative that societies, governments and international institutions explore the significance of the new landscape. Both domestic and foreign policies need to be adjusted to reflect the realities of changing societies. Failure to keep abreast of shifting demographics could have disastrous implications for governments. This issue of the SAIS Review aims to offer a forum on these issues through a variety of lenses. Even with a clear need to discuss these problems, the idea of a generation is, at best, an amorphous concept. For some, a generation is conceptualized as a social unit based on age differentials: the youth, working middle-aged and the old define three distinct generations. From such a demographic perspective, the study of generations is one of allocating resources and responsibilities between competing groups. Since different generations possess unique resources and make divergent demands on the state, generational policy becomes an issue of reconciling these sometimes competing claims. [End Page 1] This perspective signifies a need to reevaluate social and economic policy when established policies no longer coincide with new generational realities. For instance, as populations in the West age, the state has been forced to reconsider its policies towards the old. Michael W. Hodin and Mark Hoffman tackle this growing problem by looking at successes that the private sector has had in reformulating their policies towards their oldest workers and customers. By demonstrating that these companies have increased their competiveness through successful reorientation, the authors argue governments can learn valuable lessons that can be applied to a wide range of policy issues. E. Hazel Denton begins her analysis from a similar starting point, tracing the history and development of the “demographic transition”— changes in the generational structure within a country. Close attention must be paid to these changing age structures in order to develop optimal economic and social policies, which will understandably differ in states that possess divergent structures. However, the study of generations is not limited to the exploration of age structures’ implications on policy. A second lens defines generations not as a phenomenon of discrete social units that compete over resources and responsibilities, but rather as a developmental path. In this regard, the older generation is responsible for planning for and developing their children’s generation. Government policies have considerable implications for subsequent generations; therefore, careful consideration of goals and methods is essential. John Bongaarts and Steven Sinding rely upon this perspective by evaluating the generational implications of family planning. The authors argue that investment in family planning policy is necessary from both an economic and human rights perspective due to the profound positive effects it will have...