Radical Future

"Scepticism about politicians' internet fetishism is also reflected in a new ebook, Radical Future, published by Soundings today. As the editor, Ben Little, observes: "Social networks are key for our generation, but they won't save us from disengagement. They can just as easily become a way of shutting people off from each other."

At the heart of Radical Future is a thesis likewise expounded by the Conservative frontbencher David Willetts in his book The Pinch: essentially, that the baby boomer generation has reaped all the benefits of postwar prosperity, leaving 18-30s with a ruptured economy, an alienated society and a dying planet.

Further, so Little characterises it, "young people are demographically cut off from a political sphere that focuses on the most electorally significant group: middle-aged, middle-class, middle England". Witness Alistair Darling's remarks about increasing university places during the budget "to reassure parents" rather than their children.

Young people's focus on single issues is often cited with mild derision, implying that they are political consumerists, tempted by the most self-serving or popular projects, and too busy happy-slapping and securing easy exam passes to get to grips with the intricacies of fiscal policy."