In a recent development, Joe Biden and Donald Trump have been revealed to be significantly older than the average age of world leaders. According to The Washington Post, President Biden, at 81 years old, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, at 78 years old, will go down in history as the oldest candidates from the two major parties in American history. As they prepare to face off in a debate, they will be competing to win the Oval Office.
The issue of age has been a sensitive topic in the United States for some time now. Kevin Munger, a professor of political science at Pennsylvania State University, explains that candidates must work within their party to advance to the presidency. Former President Barack Obama’s election at the age of 47 was considered a surprise, attracting unusually active young voters in the 2008 election campaign. Despite this trend towards younger leaders in Europe, where a younger generation of leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, Mette Frederiksen and Simon Harris have emerged due to the decline in popularity of established parties and the rise of new political movements.
Age can influence the issues that a leader focuses on with emotional connections playing a significant role. Daniel Stockheimer, a professor at the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa emphasizes this connection’s importance in leadership. In conclusion, age and experience play an important role in shaping leadership landscape across different parts of the world.
