Abstract Book of the 8th International Conference on Business, Management and Finance
Year: 2025
DOI:
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Preventive Strategies for Legislative Octogenarian Gerontocracy
Vasudev Das, PhD
ABSTRACT:
Research on gerontocracy has gained traction in leadership studies; however, investigative inquiries into preventive strategies for legislative octogenarian gerontocracy remain scarce. This case study on preventive strategies for octogenarian gerontocratic leadership in the United States Congress addresses the gap in the management field. A disregard for national progress, an insatiable desire for legislative power, and a lack of self-restraint characterize the modus operandi and modus vivendi of octogenarian legislators, perpetuating their “blindness” and “deafness” to the necessity of retirement. The United States Congress values seniority and longevity, and these experienced octogenarian legislators continue to lead the legislature when they should step aside to create employment opportunities for the younger generation. While the full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security in the United States varies by birth year, the average retirement age is 66.60. Grounded in Bandura’s self-regulation, Gottfredson and Hirschi’s self-control, and Prabhupada’s sonic therapeutic intervention (STI) frameworks, the researcher investigated strategies for preventing octogenarian gerontocratic leadership in the United States Congress. Data collection methods included eight semi-structured interviews from snowballing purposeful samples and reviewing relevant documents. Seven themes emerged after thoroughly examining the interview data transcriptions: willpower, self-regulation, sonic therapeutic intervention, non-partisan moral reasoning (NPMR) in legislation, legislative retirement age, youth political empowerment, and youth legislative empowerment. The implications for positive social change (IPSC) included a mentally vibrant Congress that is more people-oriented, focused, and productive.
keywords: gerontocratic leadership, legislative retirement age, self-restraint, sonic therapeutic intervention, youth legislative empowerment