ABSTRACT
Politics is more than what government and politicians do. This broader view of politics is shaped by economics, culture, legal, environmental, and social perspectives. The politics of rural aging is diverse and dynamic as the US population ages. Rural aging issues such as social isolation, housing needs, mental health care, physical health care, and transportation are issues that are shared by younger people in rural areas. As the aging population of rural communities grows, there is debate that it will lead either to intergenerational conflict or intergenerational cooperation. Some argue that the older generation will consume a higher share of public resources than children, which will lead to intergenerational conflict. Others argue that the potential restructuring of the health-care system and a longer working life of baby boomers, older adult volunteerism, and other connections will lead to intergenerational cooperation.
