The Demographics of Progress

Countries, because of the people who populate them, get older and younger in an ebb and flow of generational demographics. Right now, America has an aging population, but that will not be so in a few decades. In fact in a few decades, America will have a much younger population. This natural cycle is true for all countries, but it underscores important and encouraging trends for our future.

The inspiration for this post came from a piece I read in the Economist yesterday dissecting Michelle Obama's speech at the DNC. I was drawn particularly to the following line:

"There was almost a sense of poker at work. In Tampa, Republicans talked a lot about their parents, the second world war and the "greatest generation", and the founding fathers. On the first night in Charlotte, speaker after speaker spoke about their grandparents (ie, I’ll see your mother, and raise you my granny)."

What I found most interesting about this was the alignment between parents and grandparents. I know there is no direct demographic evidence of this, but I find it telling that when talking about the "greatest generation," Republicans are talking about their parents and Democrats about their grandparents. This is equal parts amusing and encouraging.

It's no secret that each successive generation tends to be more liberal than the generation before it, and that, put simply, is the demographics of progress. Much of what we debate in the present has already been determined in the future, but we are fighting the fights now as some cling to the last vestiges of the traditions - real or imagined - of preceding generations, and as none of us yet know what the fights of the future will look like.

This is true for both economic and social issues, but more so for social ones. Can you imagine how  some people 50 years ago would have reacted if they had been told that America would elect a black president? How do you think the generation born in 2050 will react to knowing that in 2012 a basic right like marriage was denied to gay people simply because of their sexuality? It will be an even more laughable travesty then than it is now.

Progress is slow but inevitable. The world is moving in the right direction, and the demographics of progress are like unstoppable waves pushing us forward. Today's fights have already been won tomorrow if that convoluted timeline makes any sense. It is important not to let that knowledge make us complacent. We must continue to strive for equality and prosperity, but it is all encouraging to know that we are fighting a winning battle.