Cohort Changes in Political Attitudes: Tolerance of Ideological Nonconformity

This analysis of cohort changes in political attitudes reveals that tolerance of ideological nonconformity has been increasing among all cohorts. Aging is not invariably accompanied by greater conservatism, as earlier studies have suggested. Rather, older cohorts are more likely than younger ones to adhere to their earlier, more conservative, attitudes. It is this differential propensity for change that leads to a widening gap between cohort attitudes.