Millennial Politics: Generational or Age-Related?

Is there anyone in the U.S. that hasn't heard that Millennials are shaping the 2008 election? Books, magazines and blogs are abuzz with the news that 2008 is going to be the year of the Democrats due to the liberal attitudes of younger voters, many of whom are voting for the first time. According to Pew Research's analysis of Super Tuesday voters, 58% self identify themselves as "liberal" in their political orientation. 57% voted for Obama, 41% for Clinton. The more interesting question is whether this is any different than in past elections? Are today's younger people actually more liberal than earlier generations? A quick glance at the chart indicates that he answer is 'yes' (don't you love it when that happens?). According to a 2007 Pew Study, each generation tends to be less socially conservative than the generation before it. Generation Y is not only less socially conservative than older cohorts, they are less socially conservative than those cohorts were at a similar age. Social conservatism is measured by agreement with 6 statements. Gen Y on average agrees with only 2.5 of the statements, while twenty years ago, Boomers agreed with more than 3 (see chart). However, the biggest gap, now and then, is between Boomers and the Pre-Boomer generation, not between Boomers and Gen Y. So the more correct answer is that Gen Y liberalism is actually both generational and age related.