Age and Variations in the Attitude towards Scottish Independence – An Exploration of Cohort and Lifecycle Explanations

What is it about?

In polls asking whether potential voters lean towards Scottish Independence or staying in the union, the older respondents are, the less likely they are to be pro-independence. This article explores the reasons, focusing especially on whether this is truly an age related effect or not rather a cohort effect.

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Why is it important?

This question is relevant because if it is a cohort effect or generational effect, claims that the youngest voters will automatically be most in favour of Scottish Independence may be flawed - something which also the studies by Eichhorn et al. suggest. As a consequence, it could well be that in twenty years, the opinions on Scottish Independence have changed noticeably.