If you think 'paternal' is more apt, then maybe "paternalistic" was the word you were looking for, not "patriarchal". That one word -- despite -- is the fine line between action and inaction for most people. It makes people think of scenarios they'd rather not think of, because it means their actions might conflict with their beliefs. If it takes pandering to get people to vote the first time, they might do it on their own the second time. No, although the maleness fits, 'paternal' maybe more apt. Still, the maleness of these political power structures plays a role in how they are perceived and how they act.
It's a sad that people can easily grasp how their one vote means so little, but can't understand that acting despite that fact means so much.
Perhaps, which illustrates the problem. My impression is that millennials believe that they are voting on behalf of the politicians, when in fact, they are voting on behalf of themselves. The politicians, media, (and probably many other factors), have created a illusion of a top-down power structure, when in reality, it exists upon the whims of those that vote.If it takes pandering to get people to vote the first time, they might do it on their own the second time.
So... we've identified the problem (that most millennials are under an illusion), and we've also found that traditional education on the subject doesn't work in lifting that veil (perhaps because the millennials are as a group too cynical to believe you). You can lament about how it's a sad state of affairs that traditional education doesn't work all you like, but that doesn't help solve the problem of low voter turnout. And yes, pandering to the young gets them to vote for the wrong reasons, but is that worse than not voting at all? Get them used to it first, then tell them the real reason behind why they're doing it. Perhaps, which illustrates the problem. My impression is that millennials believe that they are voting on behalf of the politicians, when in fact, they are voting on behalf of themselves. The politicians, media, (and probably many other factors), have created a illusion of a top-down power structure, when in reality, it exists upon the whims of those that vote.
No, but I doubt that politicians will do it any time soon. Millenials have less money, and a track record of less-engagement than other voting blocks. Same problem, lack of incentive.And yes, pandering to the young gets them to vote for the wrong reasons, but is that worse than not voting at all?