Why Is The US Ruled By Old People?
America’s politicians are older and more crumbling than its infrastructure.
The last time someone older than 60 became a British prime minister was 1976, when James Callaghan entered office. Eight prime ministers since him are still alive, and on average they entered office by the ripe old age of 49.
By contrast, the US has been governed for the past 10 years by people whose age would have prevented them from working as schoolteachers.
Beyond the top office, the US is still dominated by the elderly, as the statistics make clear. Senators are 64 on average, while House representatives are 58.
By comparison, parliamentarians have an average age of 50 in Britain, 48 in Germany, and 47 in France. Even in Japan, the world’s longest-lived country, the average deputy is only 56.
America has had plenty of relatively young and old politicians in the past, and notable figures have emerged from both ends of the spectrum. Reagan, Eisenhower, and John Adams are acclaimed presidents who were over 60 when they came to office; Teddy Roosevelt, JFK, and Obama are well-regarded presidents who began in their 40s.
