What is Left After the Protest Wave? Tracing Generational Patterns of Political Engagement in the Wake of Chile’s Student Movement

Drawing on Mannheim, we examine how the ebbs and flows of student mobilization have shaped distinct political generations in Chile. We identify four generations forged through key moments of student activism and wider episodes of collective mobilization: the Dictatorship, Democracy, Penguin, and Frontlines generations. We use longitudinal data from the ELSOC study (2016–2023) to trace attitudinal and behavioral patterns of political engagement across cohorts. The findings show that the Penguin and Frontlines generations, socialized during 2006 and 2011–2019 protest cycles, exhibit higher protest levels and electoral participation, especially during the 2019 social uprising and the 2020 plebiscite. They also show stronger digital activism and progressive attitudes, particularly among women. However, generational effects are not static: while early mobilization fosters engagement, demobilization and political fatigue emerge over time, after the 2019 social uprising. Moreover, younger cohorts show declining student movement identification, suggesting a shift in political referents. Our findings indicate that protest waves can shape enduring political dispositions, but these may change as individuals and their political contexts evolve. Generational identities are thus dynamic, contingent on formative experiences and subsequent developments. Understanding these dynamics is crucial, as the endurance of political generations can shape the long-term durability of student movement outcomes.