Are Conservatives more educated?

[Liv]

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So I'm sitting in my poly science class when the professor tosses a chart up on the overhead. It's the rise of conservatism in the UK during the 20th century. Interestingly it correlated to the rise in education levels in the UK too. That's right, as people gain more education, they become more conservative. The professor then asks "What problem does this present for the Labour Party?" Err... "they're not laboring any more?" So Labour, was the party that was somewhat against the idea of educating the masses.

This is when I threw my hand in the air and scream "WAIT!" I casually explained, my fear for turning into a Republican once gaining a college degree?

After some considerable calming down, and heavy breathing on the floor of class, it was explained that people will always adapt their political belief in a manner which will ultimately benefit them.

Greed?

Yes. Apparently I'm a liberal, because that stance benefits me, but once conservativism benefits me... Once I'm making more money, then I'd become one of them?

Say it ain't so!

So if it happens, if I mutate, I fully give you the permission to shoot me.

I just can't comprehend it.

[A Person]

post hoc ergo propter hoc


While people do tend tend to act in their own interest, there are more than enough examples of wealthy people with a social conscience to disprove this as a rule.

Just look at the social reformers in Britain, Shaftesbury, Cadbury etc. Or today with Gates, Buffet etc.

Of course they may just recognise that it isn't a zero sum game - i.e. that the more you have the less they have - rather that a prosperous underclass of consumers creates wealth which benefits everyone. The 'rising tide floats all boats' scenario

[Liv]

No, and he did mention similar examples that go against the construct, but apparently, statistically (it is a poly sci course)... people who improve their lifestyle and welfare, become less likely to support liberal causes.

Though I admit Googling, and lacking finding credible evidence for or against this stance. Knowing who my professor is... I trust his opinion as fact.

[tim]

There's a saying:

If you're a conservative when you're young, you have no heart.
If you're a liberal when you're old, you have no brain.

This works with republican/democrat slipped in there as well.

If you're a republican when you're young, you have no heart.
If you're a democrat when you're old, you have no brain...

I believe the thought (and the trend that actually follows) is.. A young person is naturally more liberal and wants to see/try/experience new things. They have a natural tendency to rebel against the established order.

An older person faces the responsibilities of supporting and raising a family. Money becomes more important than ever. Not just earning money but KEEPING it and having some to PASS ON... Liberalism tends towards the distribution of wealth (share/ make all things equal) whereas conservatism tends towards the accumulation of wealth...

I've lived long enough to see these trends for myself... Of all the people I have ever known, I am the only exception to this trend that I know of... I was a conservative when I was young (had not heart) and I'm a liberal now that I'm 'not young' (have no brain)

[Liv]

I think you just managed to work Wizard of Oz into politics. That's cool.

[A Person]

The quote is attributed to Churchill

“If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain.”

He wasn't entirely an unbiased commentator. Also, what he meant by conservative has very little to do with the current republican party. As a British conservative, Churchill would be an elitist, lefty communist by their standards. After all, he was proud of working with Liberal social reformer, William Beveridge, to introduce socialist government run health care in the UK

The discoveries of healing science must be the inheritance of all. That is clear. Disease must be attacked, whether it occurs in the poorest or the richest man or woman simply on the ground that it is the enemy; and it must be attacked just in the same way as the fire brigade will give its full assistance to the humblest cottage as readily as to the most important mansion. Our policy is to create a national health service in order to ensure that everybody in the country, irrespective of means, age, sex, or occupation, shall have equal opportunities to benefit from the best and most up-to-date medical and allied services available.

Unlike the USA where the fire brigade will stand by and watch the 'humblest cottage' burn to the ground

By British standards, I'm a conservative. Republicans consider me a dangerous commie. But then I have a brain AND a heart, they're not mutually exclusive.

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

There was a telling exchange in the Supreme Court during the ACA hearings. The Administration counsel was talking about how the government is obligated to pay for the care of people who can't afford insurance... And Justice Alito simply responded, "Well, don't obligate yourself to that."

This man seriously appears to believe there is no reason for the government to make ANY effort to save the lives of gravely sick or wounded people if they can't pay for their own care. THAT'S what we get for letting Dubya occupy the White House too long.

[Liv]

Unlike the USA where the fire brigade will stand by and watch the 'humblest cottage' burn to the ground

This disgusts me. How stupidly American.