It’s an obvious point, but it’s worth stating: your perceptions of America and its role in the world are largely dictated by your experiences. Consider the following:
Boomers grew up with the threat of annihilation by Soviet nuclear weapons. We rejoiced when the wall came down and the Soviet Union imploded. We celebrated the victory in the Gulf War. Millennials either didn’t experience any of that or were too young to remember it. They just remember 9/11, the Iraq War, and terrorism–a litany of American failures.
Boomers saw massive smog problems in LA and a burning river in Cleveland. They applaud their environmental triumphs. Those mean nothing to Millennials, who only see the dangers of climate change and blame Boomers for screwing up their planet.
Boomers drove the Civil Rights Movement and the opposition to the Vietnam War. Gay rights and feminism didn’t exist when they were born. To Millennials, you might as well be talking about the Civil War; they take these social changes for granted. PC is the next frontier.
On the economy, Millennials see stagnant wages, huge amounts of student debt, and rising inequality. Boomers would concede these points, but would also note that it is a great time to be a consumer–a point often missed by the critics of globalization and automation.
Is it any wonder that Millennials see the glass half empty, and Boomers half full? Are you surprised that Millennials call for socialism, and Boomers fear it?
To a large extent, this battle will be fought out during the Democratic primaries, with the Boomers being predominantly realos and the Millennials, fundis. At this point, there is no telling who will win.