Do views of Mankind shape you're political views?

Question

I was just curious, so could you please tell me if you are a conservative or a liberal and whether you believe people are generally smart, good, bad or stupid, or any combination of the two?

Answer 1

That's an intelligent question with far-reaching implications.

For example, if a particular group of people viewed the masses are inherently irrational or sufficiently rational or at least capable of being educated, then that will lead to polarized political conclusions, of whether the masses require strict measures of control or not. The possible outcomes of all the possible queries are endless.

I think people are generally good, and that where they do bad things, it is a result of fear or ignorance, and even these, if pro-actively addressed, can be remedies to increasingly larger degrees. Public education was a good start, for example.

As for people doing bad things out of fear, well, look at how crime--that is, street crime, crimes of passion and less of calculation--and drug abuse are so deeply concentrated in the poor.

I think people are driven by irrational forces--all of what Freud theorized was not bunk--but these things are not only tempered by authoritarian state controls, but also by morality, education, and reason when one's society holds it as a high ideal.

Intelligence is a tough one to pin down. What kind of intelligence? "Cultured" intelligence, as in, knowledge of pedigree, such as being able to quote Byron or explain Montesquieu? Or do you mean something more like rational, capable of making smart decision? I would say that most people lack "culture" intelligence, mostly because of links to class affiliations and class biases, but want to make the smartest possible decisions, because those are always in one's best interest. And, in the political realm, often what is in one's best interest is also what is in the best interest of one's neighbor, anyway. Because while one should do unto others what one would have for oneself, in the political realm, valuing what is beneficent to you will more often be beneficent to those in your same situation.

I'm pretty far left. You can say socialist. I believe people are naturally inclined to goodness, but are bound by circumstances--which people, organized together, can easily mend--which prevent the best sides of men and women from being expressed.

Answer 2

Absolutely, I believe I have a realistic understanding of social order and individuals. That's why I'm a conservative! I believe people will make individual choices and need to accept the consequences. When individuals form a group they become irrational and easily lead by emotion!

I find that liberals tend to be lead by emotion (help the poor, sick....) emotional response, create a nation healthcare system. They don't think logically about the future consequences misuse of funds and so on. Just an example!

Answer 3

Liberal. I think people are 10% smart, 40% average and 50% dumb as a rock. I think the intelligence divide is equal on both sides of the political spectrum, and though certain personality traits influence your politics, it is mostly the result of your upbringing and collective experiences. I am liberal primarily because I dislike socially conservative views on issues like abortion, gay marriage, the influence of Christianity in our government, etc.. I also stongly disagree with the Republican stance and methods in the war on terror. However, I actually agree with conservatives on a lot of more governmental issues like lower taxes, smaller gov., getting rid of handouts, etc.

Answer 4

Everything in your life shapes your political views, though not always in the way people would like to believe.

Answer 5

My political views are shaped by mankind! Yep, it's that simple!

Answer 6

Well, I'm a Libertarian, and either people are basically good, or they are basically evil.

If people are basically good, there's no need for a big, powerful government.

If people are basically evil, it's too dangerous to risk having a big powerful government.

Answer 7

the point of hatred and intolerance in this type is intense. i think of that the two-celebration gadget interior the U. S. is many times to blame, it polarises human beings. human beings in different Western international places do no longer react with lots anger.

Answer 8

liberal. combination. u can hav school smarts & b dumb w/celebrites or hottest fashion. vice versa.