Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines, using original research, the reality of the impact of the increasing number of older people on the British political process. The primary purpose is to present and discuss the significance of the findings of a major piece of research conducted by the Older People and Politics Project (OPPOL) within Exeter University's Sociology Department. Important to the research subjects' beliefs about the political process is the idea of democracy. The British Parliamentary system is seen as being based on the election of representatives who act in Parliament to choose a government and to make laws. The book also discusses the politics of old age in terms of the 'pensioner's movement'. PAYG schemes pay current pensions from the current contributions.