Posted: April 22nd, 2015

nternational relations in the 21st Century: How will the generational divide between the older (baby boomers) and younger (millennial) generations shape international policy particularly on the issue of security.

Research Question

International relations in the 21^st Century: How will the generational divide between the older (baby boomers) and younger (millennial) generations shape international policy particularly on the issue of security.

Brief Overview.

Globalization has brought about great technological, scientific, economic and social advancement. For good or bad, such advancements have undoubtedly challenged us in many ways with international relations been no exception. Issues such as civil conflicts, health epidemics, climate change, cyber crimes and terrorism to name a few, are no longer only limited or exclusive to one nation state’s borders. This has therefore changed the perception of security on a global scale and has prompted a debate in regards to the approaches adopted to resolve or prevent such issues or threats.Furthermore, making this research question an important one to pursue, and the author believes will certainly contribute to the ongoing debates of the future of addressing security issues. The author will argue that besides the debates been informed by political and academic disagreements regarding best approaches and solutions. Another factor that is inadvertently been forgotten or not taken into account are the generations participating in such debate and the role they play in determining how global issues are addressed.

Hypothesis: If this paper studies historical events and how they shaped discussions politically, socially and in academia, then it will be able to point to the differences in attitude and opinion between older and younger generations toward global issues, not necessarily based on a particular set of ideologies but rather informed by experience.

Independent variables: Older generation (baby Boomers) and younger generation (millennials).

Dependent Variable: Differences in attitude and opinion to international relations.

Conclusion

Upon testing the hypothesis, the research will seek to conclude that due to increased interest and participation of millennialinsocio-political international affairs, they are and will continue to play critical rolesin shaping up a new approach to dealing with international affairs. The paper will note that, this change may be slow but will argue using the likes of the occupy movement and ‘Arab Spring’ to make the point that due to a lack of appetite for the ‘status quo’ more so by the younger generation, this is a change that is inevitable.