A Comparative Study on Political Participation of the Elderly in China and the United States

Abstract

With the intensification of population aging, "age" is gradually becoming politically relevant. Through the analysis of literature related to the political participation of the elderly in China and the United States, this paper finds that compared to the elderly in China, the elderly in the United States have higher political enthusiasm, higher levels of political participation, and more diversified ways of political involvement. Through political participation, the elderly in the United States not only influence government decisions, securing political, economic, and social rights for themselves, but also play a significant role in upholding the American democratic system, constructing a proactive aging society, and promoting the welfare state. In contrast, although nearly half of the elderly in China have participated in grassroots voting and election activities, there is still considerable room for growth in their political participation. The government should effectively expand orderly political participation channels for the elderly and enhance their enthusiasm for political involvement.