Since joining academia, have you become more or less liberal than you were before?

[Solon]

This poll is for those that currently teach at a college or university, or for those that have a doctorate in something or other.

I thought about this last week. I've become more secular, for sure, but I'm not sure that's necessarily "liberal." I realize that recent political races (the last 15 years or so) have re-cast much of American politics into Conservative Christians vs. Liberal Atheists, but that seems to me like a political, rather than purely ideological move. I've become more liberal on certain issues because I know more people now - people that those issues affect. I have several gay friends, so I pay more attention to those issues. I know more people from foreign countries, of different races and backgrounds than I knew before I started this last leg of graduate school, but I would imagine that this happens all the time to people who live in cosmopolitan places but don't have academic careers or jobs.

But I've become more conservative in other areas. I own three firearms and I enjoy shooting them at targets and animals. I hate the endless layers of east-coast local and state governments. I have very old-fashioned ideas about education and educational philosophy. For awhile, I also had one of the finest mullet hairdos you've ever seen.

If I had to summarize my political leanings, I'd have to go with libertarian, although it's an imperfect fit. This is why I'm pro-choice and pro-firearms. This is why I think academic freedom is important. I want fewer rules & laws in my life.

By the way, the dean of our college just sent around the yearly memorandum reminding professors, lecturers, instructors, etc. to avoid using the classroom as a bully pulpit for political or non-course-related issues, and to be sure to encourage exploration of all points of view. I think this is the true meaning of "liberal." (<libertas = free, or freed person)

[Indy Coug]

Nothing at all. I'm not criticizing your idea. I think it's a good one, though I think that some people will stuff the ballot box.

I realized that would be a possibility, but I didn't want to force someone to disclose their identity in order to vote.

[RobinFinderson]

I've become more liberal ever since I left the church and started thinking for myself.

[falafel]

Damn, if only I had enough graduate hours, I'd give this thread an A+.

[FMCoug]

I've become more liberal ever since I left the church and started thinking for myself.

But that doesn't make any sense. The entire basis of liberal thought is that people are too stupid to think for themselves, thus Big Brother must take care of them.

[wuapinmon]

Damn, if only I had enough graduate hours, I'd give this thread an A+.

Rules are rules.

[Solon]

But that doesn't make any sense. The entire basis of liberal thought is that people are too stupid to think for themselves, thus Big Brother must take care of them.

I know you're just kidding, but that's not what "liberal" originally meant, although that term has been co-opted a bit.

200 years ago, "liberal" in England referred to an economic system where the government allowed businesses and merchants the freedom of laissez-faire economics. Almost the opposite of what one might assume today to be the "liberal" point of view.

[wuapinmon]

I know you're just kidding, but that's not what "liberal" originally meant, although that term has been co-opted a bit.

200 years ago, "liberal" in England referred to an economic system where the government allowed businesses and merchants the freedom of laissez-faire economics. Almost the opposite of what one might assume today to be the "liberal" point of view.

If you tell people that America is a liberal country founded on liberal ideas and ideals, even if you explain this to them, some will refuse to accept it because of the modern usage of the word.

[Solon]

If you tell people that America is a liberal country founded on liberal ideas and ideals, even if you explain this to them, some will refuse to accept it because of the modern usage of the word.

It's too bad. I hate it when words get hijacked.

like "decadent" or "drizzle" or "adult"

[Indy Coug]

If you tell people that America is a liberal country founded on liberal ideas and ideals, even if you explain this to them, some will refuse to accept it because of the modern usage of the word.

You mean like saying that a happy, cheerful person is "gay"?

[FMCoug]

It's too bad. I hate it when words get hijacked.

like "decadent" or "drizzle" or "adult"

The point being though that it has been hijacked. So in other than academic discussion, it would seem to make sense to defer to the modern usage.

[pellegrino]

I thought about this last week. I've become more secular, for sure, but I'm not sure that's necessarily "liberal." I realize that recent political races (the last 15 years or so) have re-cast much of American politics into Conservative Christians vs. Liberal Atheists, but that seems to me like a political, rather than purely ideological move. I've become more liberal on certain issues because I know more people now - people that those issues affect. I have several gay friends, so I pay more attention to those issues. I know more people from foreign countries, of different races and backgrounds than I knew before I started this last leg of graduate school, but I would imagine that this happens all the time to people who live in cosmopolitan places but don't have academic careers or jobs.

But I've become more conservative in other areas. I own three firearms and I enjoy shooting them at targets and animals. I hate the endless layers of east-coast local and state governments. I have very old-fashioned ideas about education and educational philosophy. For awhile, I also had one of the finest mullet hairdos you've ever seen.

If I had to summarize my political leanings, I'd have to go with libertarian, although it's an imperfect fit. This is why I'm pro-choice and pro-firearms. This is why I think academic freedom is important. I want fewer rules & laws in my life.

By the way, the dean of our college just sent around the yearly memorandum reminding professors, lecturers, instructors, etc. to avoid using the classroom as a bully pulpit for political or non-course-related issues, and to be sure to encourage exploration of all points of view. I think this is the true meaning of "liberal." (<libertas = free, or freed person)

Thank you Solon for writing my thoughts on this matter in such a concise and thoughtful way. I owe you one.

[wuapinmon]

You mean like saying that a happy, cheerful person is "gay"?

The Flintstones promised me a gay ole time, and they delivered.

Queer is another word that has been lost to sniggering teenage boys.

retarded
crippled
adult
molest
proudly

these words have all lost their original meaning and people are not wont to use them anymore because of the euphemism treadmill or a specific meaning now signifying solely that meaning in the SMCR model.

[Indy Coug]

The Flintstones promised me a gay ole time, and they delivered.

Are there pictures?

[Solon]

The point being though that it has been hijacked. So in other than academic discussion, it would seem to make sense to defer to the modern usage.

I think you're right that the modern usage, for better or worse, is the default meaning. That's what people will understand unless an explanation is provided every time.

But these types of word-gymnastics kill me - on all sides of the political spectrum. It bugs me that anti-abortion people call themselves "pro-life," because the implication is that the other side of the issue is "pro-death." Similarly, I've heard more than one Fox or CNN conservative talking-head recently decry Obama's "socialist" agenda as being just a step away from the "National Socialists" of Germany (a.k.a., the Nazis). Fascism is about as far away on the political spectrum from Socialism/Communism that you can get.

But everyone likes to use words and language for their own ends. Sometimes that's sad.