Gen-X United

My latest commentary for Marketplace is now available.  I expanded upon one of my observations from this essay — the point about generational office politics at the workplace.  And, being a good Generation X-er, I did what my generation does best — add a lot more snark and whine. You can listen to the result by ...

By , a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

My latest commentary for Marketplace is now available.  I expanded upon one of my observations from this essay -- the point about generational office politics at the workplace.  And, being a good Generation X-er, I did what my generation does best -- add a lot more snark and whine.

My latest commentary for Marketplace is now available.  I expanded upon one of my observations from this essay — the point about generational office politics at the workplace.  And, being a good Generation X-er, I did what my generation does best — add a lot more snark and whine.

You can listen to the result by clicking here.  The key paragraphs: 

In 2008, U.S. workers aged 55 to 64 who had 401(k)’s for at least 20 years saw their retirement balances drop an average of 20 percent. A recent YouGov poll showed two-thirds of this generation have not made the necessary adjustments in their financial planning. This is not a recipe for leaving the workforce anytime soon.

What does this mean for the rest of us? Younger workers who expected promotions when the boomers cleared out are going to have to stew in their own juices. With this job market, looking for a better opportunity elsewhere is not in the cards. Which means that Gen X-ers are going to have to listen to baby boomers doing what they do best — talk about themselves.

Be sure to read the comments to the essay.  Here’s my fave so far: 

These people, these people who call themselves generation y or x, have come to my attention for all this whining and contempt that they feel for "Baby Boomers," which they like harping on in their "blogs."

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

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