The battle for precedence between young and old is centuries old. Older generations have wisdom and experience on their side; the younger generations have abundant enthusiasm and freshness. In every aspect of life we see the eternal generational conflict between youth and seniority. Who will eventually win this battle?
The world of politics is possibly the most conspicuous area where young people seem to be making their mark. The young Barak Obama made his rival John McCain look decidedly ancient in the presidential election six years ago. The media projected the freshness of having not just a new face but one that spoke the youthful language of hope and optimism. Whether Obama delivered what he promised is a completely different issue. Youth won over experience.
In Italy we have seen a repeat of this phenomenon. An impatient and fresh-looking Matteo Renzi who was not yet 40 beat not only the aging grandees in his own party but also the septuagenarian former prime minister who seems to want to hang on in the corridors of power for ever.
The road ahead for Renzi will remain tough as the retrograde grey political brigade connive to put spokes in the wheels of the much needed reforms he wants to rush through to give Italy a fighting chance of being among the best EU performers.
The British Prime Minister has his eyes set on next year’s general election. With opinion polls looking rather unfavourable, despite a dull Opposition leader, Cameron decided to awe the electorate with a cabinet reshuffle that saw some of his most loyal middle-aged ministers replaced by young ambitious female politicians. This move has probably scuppered the much-needed educational reforms that were being steered by the determined but unpopular reformer Michael Gove. Winning the next election seems more important for the British Prime Minister than educational reform.
In the world of business, the intergenerational conflict is no less harsh. In Malta many of our small businesses are family-owned. The pattern that I have so often seen evolving is that of the first generation of entrepreneurs who work like slaves to build a viable business to be eventually replaced by a younger generation who lack the work ethics of their parents.
This is often the beginning of the end of a success story built on sheer vision, hard work and self sacrifice on which most businesses are built.
The world of politics is possibly the most conspicuous area where young people seem to be making their mark
Where do these generational battles lead us? The Western world is growing older. Yet the advertising world keeps promoting consumer goods and high tech products that are aimed for the young. The great majority of young people do not have the spending power to buy these products. Many older people are just not interested in the latest gizmos. At some stage the mismatch between supply and demand for these products will start to hurt businesses.
One thing is certain: the grey brigade is growing in numbers and politicians who ignore their political clout will do so at their own risk. Older people may no longer be considered as the ideal candidates to lead businesses but they still have the economic clout that determines where and on what to spend their money.
Political and businesses leaders will do well to devise an entente cordiale that brings together the younger and older generations of voters and consumers.
One institution where I see little hope of an effective entente cordiale is the Catholic Church.
The governance structure of the Catholic Church may be based on a divine blueprint but as a temporal institution it puts little trust in the ability of young people, especially women. One can only hope that the present Pope, who despite his age has shown some impressive signs of wanting to pull the Church out of its mediaeval traditions, will bring about the much needed change in governance.
Ultimately what will determine which political, business and Church leaders are successful will not be their age but their innate values and determination to make the world around them a better place. History books are filled with examples of young and old leaders who changed the world for the better. They, of course, all made mistakes but they all had a vision for the enrichment of society that many others of their generation lacked.
The days when young people were considered as only capable of fighting wars are over. But similarly considering older people as obsolete citizens makes little sense.
johncassarwhite@yahoo.com