What causes a person to develop either a liberal or a conservative political philosophy?

Question

I tend to doubt that the vast majority of people arrive at their political orientation as a result of a sober, prolonged, umbiased analysis of the issues.

Answer 1

I was raised to be conservative by my parents...then I went to college and started thinking about the world around me. I found it hard to defend my positions. I did research the issues and it seemed to me that most conservative stances stem from a few things....greed, fear, intolerance. After realizing that, the switch came naturally. Then G.W. Bush came along and solidified and confirmed my decision.

Answer 2

Right, however, it does come from a prolonged, biased analysis of the results of the issues as told to them. Most do not have the where with all to take it upon themselves to make decisions of their own. That would require work and thinking, when they can take the b.s. of someone's supposed work and attach themselves to it and if there are a good number of people they will go along for the ride. It is sad really. Who is to say who is right. Do we wait for one or the other party failure on a grandiose level to discount their beliefs. I do not think so. Conservatives are of a belief that the best way to get value for your dollar is to squeeze it as tightly as you can and make every dollar count to the last penny. Basically in contrast the liberal has a "the more we put into it the more we will get in return by circulating so to speak." Well, both have the good and bad points and I am unsure there is a common ground unless you use common sense. A healthy, as needed use of both might provide the basis of sound, progressive, positive, profitable and good sense leadership. Everyone knows that anything to excess is bad. Think about it. Suppose the liberal started circulating money and building economy and the conservative would regulate the flow to maintain a certain point or percentage of increase or decrease to maintain stability, we would have an economy that we could control and inflation would have been inoculated and the disease that is driven by the main disease Capitalism would die and we would have, for the most part, ability to balance the budget. If you have a steady cash flow you know what you can spend and if more is needed the liberal keeps doing his thing and the conservative adjusts a bit until the crisis is over and returns the economy to the previous state, sound, balanced. Wow, we might even build reserves instead of the National Deficit. What a concept.. The United States of America operating in the black. Now there is a good reason for a holiday.

Answer 3

You're correct. In my experience, most people do not reach political conclusions based on "sober, prolonged, unbiased analysis of the issues." This isn't an age thing, as person suggested. I find this to be true across generations.

I don't know if I have one solid answer to give you. Political beliefs are as diverse as the individuals who espouse them.

The first factor is family and friends. Your family is your main influence in all things you do. You form your identity, personality, aspirations, prejudices, assumptions, likes, dislikes, and sense of right and wrong from your family and friends most of the time. It only makes sense, then, that your political beliefs are either a product of or a reaction to what you've been taught by those individuals to whom you had the most exposure growing up.

The second factor is identity. Did you grow up poor? Did you grow up rich? Did you grow up as a foreigner? Did you grow up in a small town? Big city? Were you homeschooled? Private school? Are you a man? Are you a woman? Do you have a disability? Were you abused? Did you parents divorce? Did you know your parents at all? Are you white? Black? Asian? Are you gifted? Political beliefs are often based on identity. I don't like identity politics - they're exclusionary and short-sighted, but they're important when trying to understand how people develop ideologies. Again, your experiences can produce varied results. If you've been held back because you're a woman, you might either rebel against that treatment or accept what you've been taught is your role in society. Or maybe you won't care either way, who can tell. We all put ourselves into groups, sometimes unknowingly. We pride ourselves on being good at something or part of something bigger than ourselves, and depending on your experiences, you'll find where you think you belong. That identity reflects what you think your unique situation is and you'll probably want to protect your interests.

The third factor is free will. Sometimes family, friends, experiences, and identities just don't account for some political beliefs. When there is a choice, people will break patterns. More people probably break patterns than not. It's weird that way and there's no explaining it.

Answer 4

"I tend to doubt that the vast majority of people arrive at their political orientation as a result of a sober, prolonged, umbiased [sic] analysis of the issues."

You're giving away that you're a fairly young person with a limited range of life experiences. The older you get the (much) more likely you are to have done exactly that.

Answer 5

I think it's how you feel about the way things are going when a certain party is in office.If things seem to be great when a democrat is in, you will most likely become democrat. The same is true when a Republican is in office. You will choose for yourself as you get older. Higher taxes,lower taxes. Pro choice, pro life. More government, less government. Secure boarders,illegal immigrants. Gun control, no gun control. Choose wisely.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I think it's usually formed from personal experiences. For instance, if your local city has a Republican mayor and you don't like his decisions, then you'd probably call yourself a Democrat. You'd probably do the same sort of thing on a national level as well.

Answer 8

I started to notice my conservative ideas when I was a
freshman in highschool. I believe that those Ideas
just come from my parents and plain common sense.

Answer 9

Simple: Close your eyes. Turn on "Air America", or "The View". If you believe the crap spewed by those two outlets, then you are probably a left wing loony liberal.
For YOU Chi Guy!!! LOL

Philosophically: I think if you think that government should do as much as possible to help people, then you are probably more liberal.
If you think government should stay out of people's lives as much as possible, then you are probably more conservative.

Answer 10

Their parents, usually. In my case, I had a conservative father and a liberal mother and in my life I've seen first hand the futility of each idealogy.