ABSTRACT
A political economy approach also looks at aging not as a purely individual or biological process – but as the result, at least in part, of larger structures or patterns, for example, social class, gender, race and ethnicity, and education level. Institutional practices, such as retirement policy and pension eligibility, reflect the interests of organizations such as business or political parties seeking support by older voters. The perspective of political economy tends to promote a deep skepticism about the role of the marketplace and market forces on aging policy. Looking at aging from the standpoint of political economy asks us to see the situation of old age not in terms of individual facts – for example, biological or psychological processes – but in terms of the social, political and economic conditions in which people grow old. A political economy perspective invites us to acknowledge population aging and see the political and economic forces it will bring with it.
