I think it would be fascinating to look at the dynamic of how young people interact with an increasingly-old government today. Personally I don't know too many people who believe in the system/even care enough to show up to public meetings, write their representatives, or even vote for that matter. Have these dynamics have changed over the years?
Is your research group working on anything in this vein?
As one of those new fangled 'young people' I'd like to chime in here and say the problem lies with the reverse. Politicians are not too enthusiastic about engaging with young people, be it due to our more progressive stance on social issues, generally better understanding of the technologies they find so frightening, or just because most politicians are lying, cheating, manipulative people who took advantage of a good system then ruined it for future generations. I can only speak of Australian politics but in my case I've had representatives refuse meetings, not write back or totally ignore the sentiments of the younger population in favour of maintaining their existing support base. Its rather annoying.
Is your research group working on anything in this vein?