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Epidemics and Youth Political Distrust: A Global Study
A London School of Economics study using Gallup data (2006-2018) from 142 countries shows that youth who experienced epidemics during their formative years exhibit decreased trust in government and elections, potentially contributing to the rise of populist movements.
- What is the immediate impact of epidemics on youth political engagement and trust in government, based on the LSE study's findings?
- A London School of Economics study reveals that epidemics cause lasting political distrust, especially among youth. Analyzing Gallup data (2006-2018) from 750,000 individuals across 142 countries, researchers found that those experiencing epidemics during their youth showed decreased confidence in their governments and elections.
- How does the LSE study connect the observed decrease in youth trust in established political systems to the rise of populist movements?
- The study links this decreased confidence to the rise of populist movements. Young people exposed to epidemics are less likely to engage with formal democratic institutions like elections but may participate more in actions like strikes and boycotts. This pattern was predicted in a 2021 version of the study and is now observed globally.
- Considering the rapid response to COVID-19, why did inconsistent messaging regarding public health measures lead to decreased youth trust and what are the potential long-term political consequences?
- While swift governmental responses to COVID-19, such as rapid vaccine development, might have been expected to increase trust, inconsistent messaging (e.g., the changing US stance on mask usage) significantly eroded youth confidence. This deception undermined faith in authorities, potentially contributing to the observed shift toward populist ideologies.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the research findings to highlight a potential link between the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of right-wing populism. The headline and introduction emphasize the impact of epidemics on young people's trust, and the discussion of Donald Trump's performance in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections is used to illustrate this point. While the researchers acknowledge they haven't directly tested the impact of Covid on Trump's support, the framing strongly suggests a connection. This could lead readers to overemphasize this aspect and neglect other contributing factors.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, presenting research findings without overt bias. However, phrases like "glissement vers les mouvements populistes de droite" (shift towards right-wing populist movements) and "mouvements antisystème" (anti-system movements) might carry a subtly negative connotation, depending on the reader's political leanings. More neutral alternatives could be considered, such as "shift in political alignment towards right-wing parties" and "movements critical of established political institutions.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses heavily on the impact of epidemics on young people's trust in political systems and the potential link to the rise of right-wing populist movements. However, it omits discussion of other factors that might contribute to shifts in political preference among young people, such as economic conditions, social issues, or specific policy decisions unrelated to public health crises. While acknowledging the study's scope, the article could benefit from mentioning alternative explanations to avoid oversimplifying the correlation between epidemics and political shifts.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a potential correlation between the Covid-19 pandemic and a shift towards right-wing populism, particularly focusing on the reduced trust in institutions among young people. While it acknowledges that this is not a direct causal link, the framing might imply a simplistic eitheor scenario: either the pandemic caused the shift or other factors are solely responsible. A more nuanced presentation might explore the interplay of multiple contributing factors.
Sustainable Development Goals
The study reveals a long-term decrease in young people's trust in political systems and institutions following epidemics. This loss of confidence is linked to a rise in support for populist and anti-establishment movements, undermining democratic processes and institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its communication controversies and shifting narratives, exacerbated this effect. This directly impacts SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.