Description
Is Gen Z revolting? This paper will examine the growing salience of Gen Z in fronting political dissent across the Indo-Pacific, since 2020 notably in Thailand and Myanmar, but latterly also in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nepal. Are the new generation more critical, more radical and bolder in their political demands? If so, why do we see relatively little overt support for progressive causes among younger voters in various Southeast Asian countries, and indeed large youth votes for authoritarian legacy candidates such as Bongbong Marcos and Prabowo? The paper will examine comparative trends with a cautious eye to avoiding catchy generalisations that are insufficiently grounded in evidence. Keywords: Gen Z, protests, progressive politics, Southeast Asia, Indo-Pacific.
