Why Zoomers Won’t Die For Ukraine

As liberal democracies fall short of their lofty principles, is it any surprise Gen Z won’t defend them?

While Presidents Trump, Putin, and Zelensky struggle to negotiate a ceasefire, the European leaders of NATO’s member states insist on their willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine. But these technocrats stuck a stick in their selectively-jingoistic spokes long ago. After decades of governance by supra-national institutions, cultural deracination, and unwanted mass migration, the generation they propose conscripting are disillusioned with the democracies they would defend. Consecutive polls record Gen Z (1997-2012) as holding their countries in contempt, unwilling to fight to defend them, and flirting with alternative forms of government — including authoritarian dictatorship.

In February, YouGov polling published by The Times found that only 11% of Zoomers (aged 18-27) would fight for Britain; with 41% saying under “no circumstances” would they enlist to defend their country. 41% are proud to be British, 48% believe Britain is a racist country, and 50% said the UK is “stuck in the past”. While older readers may believe the young to be brainwashed against the self-evident goods of liberal democracy, as a member of this cohort I can’t say I blame them. Why should I, or any of my countrymen, die for “democracy” abroad, when my own doesn’t deliver it at home?