The Political Voices of Generation Z

This book explores political expression of members of Generation Z old enough to vote in 2018 and 2020 on issues and movements including MeToo, Supreme Court nominations, March for Our Lives, immigration and family separation, and Black Lives Matter. Since generational dividing lines blur, we study 18 to 25-year-olds, capturing the oldest members of Generation Z along with the youngest Millennials. They share similarities both in their place in the life cycle and experiences of potentially defining events. Through examining some movements led by young adults and others led by older generations, as well as issues with varying salience, core theories are tested in multiple contexts, showing that when young adults protest or post about movements they align with, they become mobilized to participate in other ways, too, including contacting elected officials, which heightens the likelihood of their voices being heard in the halls of power.Perfect for students and courses in a variety of departments at all levels, the book is also aimed at readers curious about contemporary events and emerging political actors.

Laurie L. Rice is Professor of Political Science at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Her research interests include political communication, the presidency, elections, social media, and civic engagement. She is co-author of Web 2.0 and the Political Mobilization of College Students and co-editor of American Political Parties Under Pressure. Her work has appeared in journals such as Presidential Studies Quarterly, Social Science Computer Review, and Journal of Information Technology and Politics. She provides expertise to regional, national, and international media on on elections, social media, and the presidency and has written pieces for The Hill, The Huffington Post, and the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Kenneth W. Moffett is Professor of Political Science at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. His research interests lie in American politics and policy. He is coauthor of Web 2.0 and the Political Mobilization of College Students, and specializes in American politics and policy. His work has appeared in the Journal of Information Technology and Politics, Social Science Computer Review, Party Politics, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Congress and the Presidency, and other outlets. He has also written essays that have appeared in The Hill, The Huffington Post, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Washington Post's Monkey Cage blog.