Here is a map of the world's vote for US President. What's the rationale for these "voters"? And from InsideHigherEd.com, here is a report of an interesting study:
Students get more liberal while they’re in college — but a new study suggests that their peers, not professors, seem to be the reason why, according to the Associated Press. The study, by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles, finds evidence to back up the assertion that many students adopt more liberal positions on many issues from their freshman to their junior year. But the researchers attribute the shifts more to students’ exposure to left-leaning peer groups than to the views of their professors, the wire service reports.
5 comments:
I can agree with this. I've actually seen it in my interactions with my friends, especially from those who didn't go to college.
This election year, I find myself leaning towards a candidate who I disagree with on a fundamental issue. In the past this issue was a non-issue. Where a candidate stood on this issue determined who I voted (or would have voted) for.
This leaning has nothing to with any of my teachers. It has to do with friends, some whom I do consider smarter than myself (and that's gotta be pretty smart). My former pov is coming into conflict with my developing pov.
Making a decision has become pretty difficult...but I think I'm pretty fun at a discussion because I think on both sides of the fence.
Not that this is relevant...well it may be...but my friends have called me the ugly "L"...by L...I mean "liberal"...but labels don't really fit me so...it rolls off...mostly...
Danielle
I think it is interesting that the article closes by saying, "The group identifying as conservative gained the most of any group." This leads me to believe that people WANT to be seen as conservative, even though they may hold liberal viewpoints.
Danielle makes an interesting point, about the "L" word. Conservatives have done a nice job of tagging a negative connotation with the word "liberal." I, as a conservative, obviously agree that a liberal America is not in our best interest, but I can understand a liberal's disgust that the word carries a negative connotation. To go along with that, however, it brings me to a question: Why haven't liberals tried the same thing with the word "conservative?" Might they now do so when economic fear grips the country, and they can claim "conservative lack of oversight" was the source of our problem? I don't agree with that, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that attempted.
Ultimately, what disappoints me the most about political discussion on a college campus is the uneducated opinions. It comes from both sides. As a personal example... I have already voted absentee for John McCain (holding my nose the whole way), and even those who share my opinion disturb me in everyday conversations. Everyday I come across a McCain supporter who sees my bumper sticker/yard sign, etc, and strikes up a conversation, only to add such enlightened tidbits like, "Well, Obama's middle name is Hussein, what does that tell you?" Is that REALLY the best we can do when discussing the ISSUES? It happens on both sides, of course, but it's disheartening.
A quick comment about the "World Electoral Map...."
This is the same every election cycle. The world is substantially more liberal than the electorate in the United States. Barack Obama, to me, and to other conservative minded Americans, is a far-left liberal with ideals that I simply can't reconcile my own with. On a world scale, he's only marginally closer to the European left than John McCain is.
I have to agree with both Nick and Danielle on the "L" word concept. It really irks me that "liberal" can carry such a negative connotation. You can't judge a point of view as being "bad", be it liberal or conservative. However, I think the negative connotation with either label comes from associating the term "liberal" or "conservative" with "extremist," which isn't the case 99% of the time.
Having said that, yes, peers can definitely have an influence on your politic stances, because they make you consider another point of view. However, I think there's another factor that contributes to the whole "students becoming more liberal in college" concept. As someone who does hold some liberal perspectives (I tend to put myself under the moderate-left category with no party affiliation) I found it incredibly difficult to express myself around my conservative friends in high school. This was out fear that by saying, "Well, I don't agree with [insert conservative stance on an issue here]" I would be labeled as "that godless, anti-patriotic, communist liberal."
Coming to college, even a conservative campus like UA, has given me a chance to express my point of view openly with my peers that lie on all points of the political spectrum. I have found other residents of the south who, like me, felt that they couldn't express themselves without being persecuted. But it seems like once you get here, everyone, especially those that grew up as part of the political view majority realizes that there are different ways to look at things. While we may not all agree on certain things, just being able to listen to what others have to say cause you to reflect on your own stance, consider theirs, and even modify your own.
I agree with all three comments that were posted, especially Gabrielas. I feel college lets people express themselves in an honest way.
I was in a very conservative housesold growing up, and grewup to call "certain values/beliefs" my own. However when leaving to go to college you are alone in every aspect of your life. Your forced to care and think for yourself. College makes you think about the issues, most not talked about, and make a judgement on it; do you agree or dissagree on the following? I believe completely that students become more liberal when coming into college.
Also when your in college your only worried about so much. Most topics do not firectly effect us in the sense that we, meaning majoirty, do not have to deal with all the outcomes like our parents would. I know that statement is a little grey, but i feel like our judgements of issues are allowed to be a little more liberal because we don't have as many commitments yet.
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