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Thinking generations
Author(s) -
White Jonathan
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the british journal of sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.826
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1468-4446
pISSN - 0007-1315
DOI - 10.1111/1468-4446.12015
Subject(s) - salient , politics , narrative , variety (cybernetics) , sociology , democracy , bridging (networking) , epistemology , social science , political science , law , philosophy , linguistics , computer science , computer network , artificial intelligence
Often, and increasingly, social and political life is narrated using the concept of generation. This article looks at contemporary expressions of ‘generationalism’ in B ritish public life. It identifies the salient themes which emerge, links these to the social and political contexts in which these ideas are produced, and examines the points where they are vulnerable to critique. Bridging science and normativity, the generational view offers a convenient master‐narrative for a variety of political orientations – yet one whose democratic credentials are doubtful.