ABSTRACT
The authors’ analysis of age-group relations in industrial societies is concerned with three main questions. First, since there are significant physiological and psychological differences, and hence divergent interests, between persons of different age, why (except in times of political upheaval) has there been so little "class struggle" between age groups in the past? Second, whatever the traditional accommodations between age groups may have been, are they now being disturbed by contemporary demographic and social changes? Third, if disturbances are occurring, what policies might lead to greater distributive fairness among the generations? This chapter presents an analysis of age-group relations in industrial societies which is concerned with three main questions. It examines the demographic changes affecting intergenerational relations. Up to now, public policy has tended to accentuate rather than moderate the conflict; but the future may lead to negotiated measures, somewhat resembling labor-management agreements, which will emphasize rewards for production rather than needs or rights.
