Gen Z and the Dynamics of Democratic Engagement

GS Paper II: Government Policies and interventions for the development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Key features of Gen Z’s democratic engagement:

• • Political Engagement and Impact : Contrary to stereotypes that Gen Z is politically inactive, they have demonstrated significant political power

• • Successful Protests: Unlike older movements like Occupy Wall Street (2011) or the Arab Spring (2010), which often failed to change government policy, Gen Z-led protests in Bangladesh (2024) and Nepal (2025) had a sudden and profound impact

• • Issue-Based Activism: Their protests are focused on corruption, transparency, and accountability rather than abstract ideology.

• • Episodic Engagement: They mobilise intensely for specific demands and withdraw once objectives are achieved.

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• Psychology and Worldview:

• • Radical Individualism and Social Indifference : Gen Z is characterised by a focus on the self and a perceived indifference to the wider world.

• • • This social indifference results in a lack of bias toward traditional ideologies.

• • Exemplars vs. Emissaries: Unlike previous generations who acted as “emissaries” trying to spread ideologies like liberalism or communism, Gen Z are “exemplars”.

• • • They focus on setting examples through their personal conduct rather than preaching ideology.

• • Action-Oriented: They prefer practical action over moral judgments or face-to-face formal meetings.
• Methods of Protest: Their movements are often leaderless and organised virtually, making them highly unpredictable and difficult for governments to manage.
• Identity and Nationalism: 
  • Consumption-Based Identity: Gen Z builds identity through the market and consumption (e.g., owning the latest iPhone) rather than traditional markers like caste or religion.
  • Secular and Inward-Looking: They are generally more secular and less prone to hyper-nationalism based on past glory.
  • Future-Focused Nationalism: Their sense of nationalism is rooted in future possibilities for their country rather than historical pride.
• Mental Health and Economic Factors: 
  • Confident Yet Distressed: Gen Z displays high self-confidence, assertiveness, and comfort with public expression.
    • However, this outward confidence coexists with elevated levels of anxiety, burnout, and emotional vulnerability.
• Main Stressors : This distress stems from the pressure of constant self-expression in a democratised space, diminishing economic opportunities, and job scarcity.
• Normalising Therapy : Unlike previous generations, Gen Z does not treat mental health as a taboo. They openly acknowledge mental health challenges, normalise therapy and counselling.
• Workplace Strain : Even employed youth report high distress, which can trigger sudden political eruptions.

Conclusion

Gen Z should not be underestimated. Its issue-driven focus, digital mobilisation, unpredictable engagement patterns, etc., position them as a transformative force capable of reshaping democratic politics in unexpected ways.

reshaping democratic politics in unexpected ways.

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