Fatal Attraction?
Younger Americans and the Delusional Appeal of Socialism
Friday, April 23, 2021
Surveys claim that younger Americans favor socialism far more than preceding generations. What accounts for this fatal attraction and how can we reverse it? What role does social media—which young people remain glued to—have in this apparent leftward trend? On the other hand, what potential does social media have for generating greater appreciation for liberty and enterprise?
In this compelling Lighthouse Briefing video, Independent Institute Executive Director Dr. Graham H. Walker addresses these questions and more with Chloe Anagnos and Jonathan Hofer—two young, Independent Institute staffers who are careful observers of their own generation (“Millennial” and “Gen Z”).
Featuring
Graham H. Walker is Executive Director and Assistant Editor for The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy at the Independent Institute. He received his Ph.D. in public law and government from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Walker has served as Associate Professor of Politics at Catholic University of America, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, Visiting Scholar in Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton, NJ), Senior Research Scholar at the Witherspoon Institute, Headmaster at Oaks Christian School, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, President at Patrick Henry College, Legislative Aide to former Congressman David Stockman, and Fellow at the Presidio Institute.
Chloe Anagnos is the Director of Marketing, Outreach, and Sales at the Independent Institute. She received a B.A. in telecommunications and journalism from Ball State University, and she brings passion and expertise in numerous capacities by building and managing publications, marketing and communications programs to advance free societies and human flourishing. In this regard, she has served as Principal at Argo Strategy, Publications Manager at the American Institute for Economic Research, Digital Writer and Analyst for the Donald J. Trump for President campaign, and Director of Media and Digital at Advocates for Self-Government. In addition, she is the Indianapolis Chapter President for America’s Future.
Jonathan Hofer is Research and Marketing Associate at the Independent Institute. A Political Science graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, his research interests include privacy law, student privacy, local level surveillance, and the impact of emerging technologies on civil liberties. His articles have appeared in the The Hill, RealClear Education, California Globe, Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Pasadena Star-News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Daily Breeze, Whittier Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Redlands Daily Facts, Press-Enterprise, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, and Towards Data Science.
