The Politics of Aging

Goals

To examine political activism among older adults

To become familiar with politcal debates about aging and the elderly

What Is Political Activism Like Among Older Adults?

Voting Class, race, gender

Age and cohort differences

Age and political preference

Political Interest Groups

What Are Some Of The Political Debates About Aging?

The deserving elderly

The generational equity debate

Discussion Questions Group One: Review Article 22 in Annual Editions; answer 3 critical thinking

questions at back of article

 

Group Two: Is there a way of targeting benefits to those in greatest social and economic need that doesn’t make sure of factors such as race, which tends to be divisive, and income, which tends to stigmatizing? What factors might work in such an approach to targeting? Use the text and annual editions articles (units 5 and 8) to help you formulate your arguments.

 

Group Three: What are the insolvency issues with Social Security?What might be the consequences of adopting an “affluence” test instead of a “means” test? Based on what you know about financial aid in higher education, how would you estimate the possible consequences of either an affluence test or a means test instead of an age-based entitlement? Give arguments in favor of, or against, introducing either of these tests. Use the text and annual editions articles (units 5 and 8) to help you formulate your arguments.