World Economic Forum’s Post

Like all other jobs, I wonder if we will ever introduce retirement into politics. For example, politicians could enter into retirement at 65 years of age and not hold any official positions. Instead they could be advisors to the younger politicians to make up a good balance between New Spirit X Age Old Wisdom. It would open up more positions for younger politicians and be a good way to build succession planning into politics. The older politicians get a bit of rest and have to deal with a lower level of stress in such cases.

The young lack the battle scars, life experience, and wisdom needed to make the toughest decisions for a population for which their decisions will affect all; the old lack openness, tout a 'I know best' and 'we've always done it this way' resistance...both are needed and compromise and moral convictions (and faith in God) are the only hope for any people. Take God out [Who is the ONLY one with true 'foreknowledge'], and you will have the mess in which the world finds itself.

At a time when age discrimination (read: the limiting opportunities of older people in the labour market) is finally gaining some attention, the assumption that young is synonymous for better once again comes to the fore. Scientific studies have already proven several times that a balanced mix of young and old is the ideal composition in any organisation. And the same is true in politics.

A balance is always welcomed. Like in any other domain, the seniors' experience should blend with juniors' energy, creativity and innovative ideas. Actively listening each others opinions, working together on the same goal, based on strong medium or long term strategy, can lead to success - even in the governments.

While younger leadership is probably good for change, change is not always what is required when you need to make decisions that will impact a country and potentially a region. Stability is equally important and that means that certain decisions made today will have an impact that survives longer than these people have been alive for. One wonders how many of the sub 30's have actually proven to be able to run a family or a household succesfully let alone a country. There is something to be said for wisdom and experience, especially when it comes to negotiations on a global stage and especially during a time that the world is headed into an unprecedented era of instability. Today's society seems to find one concept and then micro focus on that one element as if it is all that matters. I do feel very sorry for a person of such a young age going into politics. It's a fools business and a life choice that will certainly rob you of your joy of life before your first day in office is over. Still I wish each one of them only the best and perhaps somewhere in the future this shift will pay dividends to these countries and I'll be proven wrong.

If young folks read history, pay attention to the errors of the past, and commit themselves to upholding liberty and values that have sustained successful societies for millennia, i have no issue with young politicians. But the tendency is for young people to adopt the societal flavor of the week, and sway in the wind like a piece of dead grass. That doesn't produce stability, or a strong foundation for future generations, but quicksand. Age is of no consequence in and of itself. What matters it what guides any person in their pursuit of positions of leadership?

Both is necessary for diversity of thought and growth for the people and communities they speak for.

A mixture of all ages is key however of far greater importance is a open mind. In the UK & US you seem not to be able to have discussion without being put into a category of right of left. The reason we see youth as progressive is because generally they are more open to new ideas and adapting however this is not something exclusive to youth. We can all learn from one another, no one has all the answers.

Not only do we need younger involved in politics, we also need more secular involved as well. Our nonreligious in the USA make up over 29% of the population (that's over 96 million). Yet only 0.2% representation in congress.

13.6%, means 86.4% politicians are still above 30 years in Norway. This information confirms the fact that Norwegian also like experienced politicians. Nonetheless, in democracy, no barriers like age, qualification and experience work, what finally works is the popularity of the person. So, we can't create a balance because we can't make eligibility criteria as we do for job seekers.