One in five people aged 18 to 45 prefer unelected strong leaders to democracy, according to a shock poll.
Millennials and ‘Gen Z’ were more in favour than older generations of a country run by someone who ‘doesn’t have to bother with elections’.
According to the polling, which is published in the FGS Global Radar report today, 21 per cent of ‘Gen Z’ and 20 per cent of Millennials said ‘the best system for running a country effectively is a strong leader who doesn’t have to bother with elections.’
It compares to just 8 per cent of Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, and 9 per cent of the ‘Silent Generation’ – born before the end of the Second World War.
The report comes amid rising support for some populist parties around the world, and ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump in America next week.
The poll also showed clear generational divides over a number of social issues.
It found that more than 40 per cent of 12 to 24-year-olds believe people should be able to define their gender and have it protected in law.
Yet only 17 per cent of over 65-year-olds take the same view.
As many as 21 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials prefer ‘a strong leader who doesn’t have to bother with elections’, a recent poll found (file image)
A report by the FGS Global Radar predicted that Donald Trump (pictured) would embolden dictators and authoritarians, but that some of his policies resonate with the public
And there was a divide in support for the so-called ‘nanny state’. Almost half of under 35s support the use of tax and regulation to encourage healthier eating, but older voters disagree.
Most over 45s also said the UK should treat China as a security risk and untrustworthy actor, while the majority of under 35s thought the country should seek a positive relationship with China because of its economic heft.
Sir Craig Oliver, co-global head of strategy and reputation at FGS Global, told the Mail: ‘While it’s nowhere near a majority view, it’s clear democracy is facing more questions and criticism.
‘It’s particularly from the young – who often feel they don’t have enough of a stake in society.
‘How the establishment makes the case for why we need democracy is going to be a key issue as populists and authoritarians try to persuade us otherwise.
‘The generational divide is real and wide in many areas. How politicians and businesses set about bridging it will be a key decider of who is and isn’t successful in the modern world.’
The annual FGS Global Radar report, which looks at the big themes of 2025, predicted that this year will be ‘the year of Trump’.
China’s president Xi Jinping. While most over 45s said China should be treated as a security risk, younger generations supported a positive relationship with the world’s second largest economy
It said the president-elect has ‘set the agenda – not just in the United States but globally – threatening tariffs, deregulation, geopolitical disruption and mass deportations’.
The FGS report forecast that dictators and authoritarians ‘will be emboldened under Mr Trump – but some of his policy agenda resonates with the public’.
And the polling found 60 per cent thought things will ‘get worse’ on international climate agreements, women’s health and reproductive rights under Mr Trump.
Only around one in four – 23 per cent – are positive about the global economy under the incoming president.
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