Amidst the impending 2024 US Presidential and Congressional elections, the spotlight intensifies on the age of politicians in Washington. The recent health challenges faced by senior lawmakers further underscore the significance of this matter.
In the US, the issue of “age and politics” is back in the spotlight. The incident where 81-year-old Republican Senator Mitch McConnell froze without speaking for about 20 seconds during a press conference and 90-year-old Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein’s absence from Congress due to illness has ignited a debate about age in American politics.
Current President Joe Biden is 80 years old, and the most popular rival from the Republican Party, Donald Trump, is 77 years old. Considering that the average age of the US population is 38, this situation raises questions, especially among young voters. However, recent public opinion polls show that concerns about age among voters have decreased in recent times.
Attacks from Trump: “Elderly Vulture”
Former US President Donald Trump, during a speech to auto workers, referred to current US President Joe Biden as a “wretched elderly vulture” and a “decaying politician.” Trump claimed that Biden wanted to “plunder America” and criticized his green energy policies, suggesting that they would harm US. However, his comment that Biden was “aged and ineffective once again brought the age of politicians into the spotlight.
Age and Politics: Age Limits and Age Discrimination
This situation also brings to light the opinions of politicians like former UN Permanent Representative Nikki Haley, who suggest that mental competence tests should be conducted for politicians over the age of 75. Trump has also expressed support for such mental competence testing. However, such proposals also lead to discussions about “age discrimination.” Some argue that age should not be used as a political tool, but both sides of the debate present strong arguments.
On the other hand, according to a CNN analysis, voters tend to overlook the age factor. It is noted that voters often find a politician’s time in office to be much more important, and this factor does not significantly affect the popularity of elderly candidates in both major parties in the United States.
Recently, the age and politics has come to the forefront, and as a result, the term “gerontocracy,” which refers to a government led by the elderly, is increasingly being used. President Biden, who celebrated his 80th birthday in November, became the first leader over 80 to occupy the Oval Office. 90-year-old California Senator Dianne Feinstein frequently misses work due to complications from shingles. Most recently, 81-year-old Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell froze disturbingly for 20 seconds during a press conference.
What does Gerontocracy mean?
Gerontocracy refers to a political system governed by the elderly and is a rather ancient concept. Raul Magni-Berton, a political science professor at Lille Catholic University in France, explains that there are three different types of gerontocracy.
The first type is defined as gerontocracy established by laws and is known to have been more prevalent in ancient societies. For example, the Roman Senate initially consisted of retired soldiers who were at least 60 years old. Today, in countries like Italy, one must be at least 50 years old to become president. However, such restrictions are less common nowadays.
The second type of gerontocracy operates not through laws but through “unwritten rules of courtesy.” For instance, in countries like the Vatican or places ruled by military juntas, the oldest leader is often chosen for strategic reasons. Because older leaders are more likely to retire or pass away, this facilitates leadership transitions.
The third type arises from a combination of various factors and is quite common in democracies. According to Magni-Berton, in almost all countries, the median age of the parliament is higher than the median age of voters. Despite no formal rule, voters’ preference for more experienced candidates or the ability of older individuals to accrue more power over time can contribute to this type of gerontocracy.