Younger Americans are increasingly drawn to Marxism, a trend that raises critical questions about their values, aspirations, and understanding of government and society. I’ve been thinking about this topic since I compiled my recent article,
“Marxism: A Utopian Illusion or Reality?” https://civicsandcitizenship.org/marxism-a-utopian-illusion-or-reality I addressed the stark differences between Marxism and a Constitutional Republic. Most older adults understand it, but young Americans are firmly entrenched in “the collective” and in letting the government provide life’s essentials for them. Why is this? Let’s discuss this as a citizenship issue.
Here are my three basic reasons why young people are embracing Marxism:
Losing What Is Admirable, Brave, or Courageous
Young people have stopped admiring qualities and replaced them with unrealistic fantasies, such as those presented in photo-shopped pictures and fake idyllic lives on social media. It is not in vogue to have meaningful conversations eye-to-eye. Instead, their thumbs spell out abbreviated words via text. Socially acceptable mutterings have replaced articulate thoughts. Changing the language and replacing it with meaningless phrases is one way Marxists can control the youth culture.
True bravery has been replaced by sissified behavior and political correctness. Bravery is tough. Being in a constant state of worrying about offending someone leaves little room for heroism. Instead, a wide gap opens for Marxist rebellion, which the youth considers “tough.”
The Rise in Artificial Intelligence
College graduates are having a difficult time finding work as Artificial Intelligence steps in to replace them. It becomes much easier to look to a form of government that promises to provide you with food and housing. I took a tour in Eastern Europe, where the guide showed us the former Communist housing compared to what the citizens were able to build after being freed from Communist rule. Bland and boring, all the same apartment buildings vs. homes with individuality and creativity. Proponents of Marxism/Communism are usually people who have never lived under that type of rule. They believe that this time, their favored candidate will get it right.
Instead of looking to government to “fix” the problem, find training in a field where AI is an assistant, not a replacement for human labor.
Fear of Adulthood
Young people today are indoctrinated with fear and defeat. We all experienced fear of interviewing for that first job. Employers want experience, and maybe you don’t have any. That doesn’t mean a job is impossible to find. It may be that your first job doesn’t allow you to buy a home or a new car. You may have to sacrifice (i.e., live with roommates, buy a used clunker to drive, even retrain for a different job) while building a resume’ that allows you to get to where you want to be. Saving, sacrificing, and courage are all needed as we enter the workforce and in the years to come.
Ultimately, the embrace of Marxism among young Americans reflects a deeper struggle with identity, responsibility, and the pursuit of genuine fulfillment in a rapidly changing world.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
