A Last Harrumph—looking Back At Revolutionary... (Press, 26 May 1988)

A reflective piece published on 26 May 1988 evaluates the significant social upheaval of 1968 through the eyes of a 65-year-old grandfather. This period, termed "annus mirabilis," was marked by a profound generational conflict between the post-war baby boomers and their parents, who were largely born in the early 1920s. The writer reminisces about the optimistic outlook of the post-war generation, who, faced with the aftermath of World War II, managed to establish a consumer society that transformed lives with increased prosperity and technological advancements, including sending a man to the moon. However, as the baby boomers entered universities in 1968, a sense of discontent arose among students, who expressed feelings of betrayal towards their parents’ perceived smugness. They accused the older generation of giving them nothing of value, despite enjoying benefits such as full employment, which they considered uninspiring. The author suggests that this rebellion was a typical manifestation of youth challenging the status quo, highlighting that the discontent of each generation can often propel societal progress. The events of 1968 resulted in a noticeable shift in the political landscape, characterised by a marked swing to the Right over the following two decades. The immediate effect was evident in France, where the elections following the May events led to a significant decline in Left political representation. By 1988, this political realignment had given rise to powerful movements like Thatcherism in the UK and Reaganism in the USA, which went beyond what any Tory could have envisioned at the time. In contrast, the author reflects on the educational repercussions of the 1968 uprisings, noting that many universities struggled with overwhelming student populations and unrest. Educators often retreated in the face of campus riots, leading to a decline in rigorous academic discourse within the social sciences. This environment permitted unsubstantiated theories, such as those from the Club of Rome regarding resource scarcity, to gain traction without adequate intellectual scrutiny. Culturally, the article argues that the artistic landscape was altered more by the advent of the birth-control pill than by student protests. The leaders of the student movements introduced ideas about personal freedoms and societal norms that diverged from traditional moral views. The author critiques the period as having oscillated between enforcing oppressive middle-class values and promoting newly permissive attitudes, which ultimately failed to yield lasting artistic contributions. Concern is raised about the potential consequences of the 1968 cultural revolution, as the writer notes the rise of family fragmentation and its links to social issues like crime and drug abuse, particularly in single-parent households. The commentary concludes with a sardonic anticipation that the children of the 1968 generation may someday try to revert to conservative values and work ethics similar to those of their own grandparents, thus perpetuating a cycle of cultural shifts across generations.

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