I have many friends who are engineers, and almost all of them are libertarians. (I have friends of other political views as well, but none of them are engineers)
If you go to facebook and click on "Libertarian", you'll find most of them are engineers as well.
So why is that?
2007-06-22 09:50:46 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
LOL, I'm an engineer, and I'm a dues paying Libertarian. I think a large part comes from the mind set of engineers and the way that they're taught to think about things. Engineers seek the simplest, most efficient way to solve problems. If adding a piece does not make the machine run better, or actively makes it run worse, then it should not be included. Complexity for the sake of complexity runs counter to everything we stand for. Another aspect is pure analytical skill, devoid of emotion. In a purely emperical sense, does adding or removing a certain piece make the machine run better? That's all that matters, there is no emotion involved. If widget X is added at point Y, and efficiency drops 10%, then remove X and don't put it in at Y ever again. The Libertarian platform is one of logic. It's not about how you feel, or collective metaphysics, or any such nonsense. Quite simply it can be boiled down to, "If your actions don't physically hurt me, financially hurt me, or infringe on my rights, then I (and by extension the government) don't have the right to tell you that you may or may not do it." The Libertarian platform is simple, efficient, and derived from first principles (read John Locke to get an idea of what I'm talking about there). It maximizes the good (freedom and responsibility) while minimizing the bad (government interference with your liberty and property). It's a natural fit for people who want things to run smoothly.
2007-06-22 10:13:14 · answer #1 · answered by Bigsky_52 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
The basic underpinnings of Libertarian thought are from Ayn Rand's books and from Austrian Economics. Also I think that Mr. Spock from Star Trek was an Objectivist.
Consequently, the Libertarian philosophy is based (a little toooo much IMO) on logic. This appeals to engineers, computer programmers, mathematicians and others who are baffled by everyday human relations. Some people prefer black and white answers to shades of grey. I am painting with broad strokes here and I am somewhat tongue in cheek.
The Libertarian Reform Caucus is trying to make the LP more open to anyone who believes in increasing personal freedom (and responsibility as the other side of the coin). Presently, the LP is mostly controlled by Anarcho Capitalists and Objectivists (Objectionists?) who mostly have no understanding of politics. This explains our 0.5% vote totals after 35 years. Never send a computer programmer to come up with a marketing program.
2007-06-22 11:26:51 · answer #2 · answered by LibReformer 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Lmao. That's great, very interesting. Maybe it's just the way their minds work, and so they tend to be interested in the same things. That's the only suggestion I've got.
I'm libertarian.. and I don't intend on being an engineer. Things could change though.. I've still got some time. Lol!
2007-06-22 09:55:33 · answer #3 · answered by Liz 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Libertarianism is a logical philosophy, and, has shades of meritocracy. Engineering is a demanding field that requires strong grounding in logic. It makes a certain amount of sense.
Though, I work with a lot of engineers, and they're definitely not all Libertarians.
2007-06-22 09:56:40 · answer #4 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Most of the engineering students I have met are very self-determined people.
That fits well with the libertarian ideas.
2007-06-22 09:55:49 · answer #5 · answered by Nickoo 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Libertarian and I plan to be a lawyer. However, I do agree with what Lori B. said.
2007-06-22 10:41:22 · answer #6 · answered by cynical 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm not an engineer, but I am a physicist and libertarian.
Engineers work on the KISS principle.
Keep
It
Simple
Stupid
When you clutter things with useless stuff, they break down and become non functional.
2007-06-22 10:33:33 · answer #7 · answered by sprcpt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're smart, they understand the "machine", whether that be mechanical or political, runs better without interference. In otherwords a market based economy like we have runs most efficiently the less the government gets involved.
2007-06-22 09:55:15 · answer #8 · answered by sclass_benz 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Some people describe themselves as an engineer for a lot of job titles, it's like an umbrella title it total covers a lot.
2007-06-22 09:56:20 · answer #9 · answered by Polilical conundrum... 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Engineers are intelligent, educated people with sharp analytical minds.
2007-06-22 09:57:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋