Is Gen Z Giving Up on Democracy?

In recent years, there has been growing concern about Gen Z’s relationship with democracy. Headlines warn that “Gen Z is embracing dictatorship,” and similar storylines fuel anxiety that this rising generation is turning away from democratic norms altogether.​ These alarming narratives prompted us to take a closer look at Gen Z’s attitudes toward democracy, which clearly stand in stark contrast to those of older generations. Further questions emerged: ​

• What are the factors driving the divide?​
• Is there a generational split within Gen Z itself, between younger and older Gen Z, shaped by their age and experiences of the COVID pandemic?
• And ultimately, do these attitudes mean that Gen Z is giving up on democracy altogether?​

Through further polling and focus group conversations, we find that young Americans are largely not inclined towards authoritarianism. Instead, they are underwhelmed with what they have seen our country’s democracy deliver in their lifetimes. ​

In their frustration, young Americans are much more likely than older generations to entertain the possibility that the fundamentals of America’s government need rethinking. This is still a reason for concern, but it brings the true challenge into focus and clarifies how it might be addressed: not by dismissing Gen Z’s doubts, but by delivering democracy’s promises for their generation. ​

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Key Takeaways

1. Most Americans across both political parties support democracy and remain committed to the importance of the Constitution.​

• 75% of Americans, including 80% of Democrats and 85% of Republicans, say the Constitution should be “widely respected because it has provided stability.”
• 63% of Americans, including 79% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans, say democracy is “definitely the best” form of government for America.​

2. Yet only a minority of Gen Z Americans feel strongly about democracy’s importance, especially when it trades off with economic wellbeing.​

• Nearly half of Gen Z Americans (47%) agree that “sometimes it’s okay for leaders to set aside democratic principles (e.g. constitutional checks and balances) to fix the economy” (compared to 29% of Americans on average).​
• A quarter of Gen Z (25%) say they don’t really care about the Constitution.​
• Only four in ten Gen Z Americans (42%) say democracy is “definitely the best” form of government for America.​

3. Gen Z’s attitudes towards democracy are best predicted by a lack of political engagement – not gender, ideology, or older vs. younger Gen Z Americans.​

• Just 28% of Gen Z non-voters say that democracy is the “best” form of government, compared to 66% of Gen Z voters.​
• Similarly, only 49% of Gen Z non-voters say the constitution should be “respected widely,” far lower than the 72% of Gen Z voters who agree. ​

4. But a disillusionment with democracy’s ability to solve problems — rather than a desire for authoritarianism — defines Gen Z’s attitudes.​

• Conversations with Gen Z reveal that many feel that our system fails to reflect their voices and priorities. ​
• Their doubts about democracy often stem from frustration with their economic outlook and the government’s inadequate response, largely due to partisan conflict, legislative gridlock, and political elites. ​
• In the words of a 26-year-old Hispanic woman, “What is the point of voting and choosing different people for us to have a better country? It’s a mess. We don’t get the attention […] We don’t have a voice for us. What is the point of doing this?”​