Limited generational turnover in U.S. politics is discouraging younger people from getting involved, which Fordham political science professor Christina Greer says is creating a sense of stagnation as long-entrenched leaders hold onto power and narrow pathways for new voices.
“There’s a lack of baton passing in both parties, which is quite frustrating because it clears people out of the pipeline. I have the honor and privilege of hanging out with young people in the classroom every week, and they’re saying, ‘Well, I want to get involved in politics, but there’s a calcification of folks who are just in their spots, and it doesn’t seem like they want to leave,’” said Christina Greer, associate professor at Fordham University.
“All those years, people who were interested in running possibly have barriers to entry, and Mamdani succeeded with a policy proposal, a series of proposals for New Yorkers. But part of that’s because he walked around all five boroughs of New York to hear what people wanted to tell him about their needs and wants for the city,” Greer said.
