May 01, 2024
Linda Blaser
Zachary Cook’s book sheds light on youth economic beliefs beyond political labels
In his latest book titled “Is the Youth Vote Liberal? Analyzing Attitudes Toward Business and Regulation,” Zachary Cook, an assistant professor of politics at Lake Forest College, challenges prevailing stereotypes about the economic beliefs of young Americans.
Drawing from extensive research spanning from the Great Depression to the present day, Cook provides a nuanced understanding of youth perspectives on government intervention in the economy.
Contrary to common assumptions, Cook argues that young Americans cannot be reliably categorized as liberals. Instead, his research suggests that while they express faith in the government’s ability to improve economic outcomes for all and effectively regulate businesses, their views are more complex than often portrayed.
Cook’s analysis, which incorporates over a hundred surveys and insights from campaign professionals involved in the Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders campaigns, reveals that younger voters exhibit a level of idealism regarding the role of government in the economy. They believe in the potential of government to enact positive change, even amidst skepticism towards current political leaders.
Importantly, Cook emphasizes that younger voters are not hostile to capitalism. They reject the notion of having to choose between supporting either big government or big business, indicating a more nuanced understanding of economic systems.
David Campbell, a scholar from the University of Notre Dame, praised Cook’s book for its meticulous approach to understanding the economic views of young voters. Campbell commended Cook for bringing data and nuance to a topic often clouded by unsubstantiated opinions: “While many pundits pontificate about ‘the kids these days’ (often without evidence), Zachary Cook brings nuance—and data!—to the question of what young voters think about economic issues. Contrary to conventional wisdom, they are not radical socialists. But neither are they ardent free-marketeers. Anyone who wants to understand the youth vote should absorb the lessons of this book.”