Why are so many college students far-left liberals or socialists?

[NickMPK]

Isn't this one pretty obvious?

If you are not deeply religious and don't have children, what attraction does social conservatism have?

If you don't have much in the way of financial assets, responsibilities, or income, what attraction does economic conservatism have?

Unless you are indoctrinated into a particular tradition as a child, I don't understand why any college student would be a conservative.

[nietzreznor]

[ QUOTE ]
Isn't this one pretty obvious?

If you are not deeply religious and don't have children, what attraction does social conservatism have?

If you don't have much in the way of financial assets, responsibilities, or income, what attraction does economic conservatism have?

Unless you are indoctrinated into a particular tradition as a child, I don't understand why any college student would be a conservative.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I think the problem from the OP's perspective isn't "why are college students leftists instead of conservatives" but rather "why are college students big-state liberals/state socialists instead of anarchists, libertarians, etc".

Personally, as both a "far-left liberal" and a libertarian anarchist, I'm glad that college students aren't conservatives--but I do find it distressing that most college students see big-state liberalism as the only alternative to religious conservatism.

[JOHNY CA$H]

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I know this isn't particularly new, and that Universities have been a hotbed of socialism and communism for years, but it seems to me like its worse than ever. Seriously, is it the "cool" thing to pretend that you are extremely well informed and knowledgeable about the world due to extensive watching of the Daily Show? Ooo, capitalism=bad, government=good. No one even has common sense. I try to explain that if you are paying 30% taxes to the government that you are basically a slave for 1/3 of the year and they look at me like I am crazy.

This rant was sparked by seeing this girl I used to [censored] who I no longer talk to but am still facebook friends with just joined this group: http://umd.facebook.com/group.php?gi...981&ref=nf I mean what the hell, obviously all Libertarians are evil heartless bastards who want all the homeless to starve etc. How is it not obvious that more government = bad? If these retards have more of their money thanks to less taxes they can give the homeless and poor all of that extra money if they want, do more "good" than the government would with taxes and still wind up with the same or more money. I can't even destroy their ignorant liberal attitudes beacuse they don't have a wall or forum arrrgh.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dunno, maybe if you actually listened to what they had to say before reacting so strongly you might understand why. Not that you would necessarily agree with them, but you might see why they think like they do. I guess it's just easier for you to convince yourself everyone with a differing point of view is ignorant... despite their higher than average level of education, no less... I'm hardly a socialist, but I'm certainly on the left of the spectrum. However, I do feel that the conservative and libertarian camps have valuable insights to offer. It's all just different sides of the same coin.

[ianlippert]

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Being a "poor university student" is decently incongruent, especially when you consider the the planet as a whole.


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exactly my point. I'm not poor, but people have a messed up idea of what true poverty is.

[NickMPK]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Isn't this one pretty obvious?

If you are not deeply religious and don't have children, what attraction does social conservatism have?

If you don't have much in the way of financial assets, responsibilities, or income, what attraction does economic conservatism have?

Unless you are indoctrinated into a particular tradition as a child, I don't understand why any college student would be a conservative.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I think the problem from the OP's perspective isn't "why are college students leftists instead of conservatives" but rather "why are college students big-state liberals/state socialists instead of anarchists, libertarians, etc".


[/ QUOTE ]

The big reason that few college students are libertarians/anarchists is that very few people in general are libertarians/anarchists. In fact, I am certain that the percentage of libertarians/anarchists is much higher among college students than it is among the larger population.

[lehighguy]

If your 20 and conservative you have no heart.

If your 40 and liberal you have no brain.

[ianlippert]

[ QUOTE ]
Huh?

a) How are university students "at the center of government spending?" Higher education subsidies are a minuscule portion of government spending.
b) Lol if you think factory workers are getting laid off because of what college professors make (and the vast majority of them make less than 150K).



[/ QUOTE ]

I dont think that its the students that neccessarily make the connection. but the question is why are a lot of professors socialist. I would argue that they are biased because they are at the center of government spending and see the positive results on a daily basis. This biases professors and gets passed onto their students. I'm Canadian so things might be different in private universities in America.

You seriously dont think taxation harms the manufacturing and retail sectors of the economy?

[mosdef]

I think one key element here that hasn't been touched on yet is that university students are "educated" by university professors. Most university professors become academics because they don't like the business world. It shouldn't be surprising that they pass on anti-corporate and anti-capitalism messages to their students.

Consider the market price that the median professor could get for his/her research. Now consider the median professor's attitude toward capital markets. Coincidence?

[Copernicus]

[ QUOTE ]

Isn't this one pretty obvious?

If you are not deeply religious and don't have children, what attraction does social conservatism have?

If you don't have much in the way of financial assets, responsibilities, or income, what attraction does economic conservatism have?

Unless you are indoctrinated into a particular tradition as a child, I don't understand why any college student would be a conservative.

[/ QUOTE ]

Politics is never discussed at my house, and my son's only exposure to politics was school courses. The vast majority of his friends were/are liberal, despite coming from conservative, high middle income families. Somehow he managed to see far enough ahead that transfer payments will screw him if he's successful. If he can get there Im sure many others ca as well.

[jogger08152]

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Ralph Raico on the role of intellectuals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X6NprQKAMo

What do you think, Nonfiction?

[/ QUOTE ]
I know I sure loved the new agey music they played in the background while he talked about commodities.