<p>By "liberal universe," I am of course speaking of contemporary academia. It is no secret that the vast majority of college students and professors these days are political liberals, socialists, and extreme leftists. While politically conservative students and professors are out there, they are a small and generally unpopular minority. Despite the goal of most colleges to "embrace and respect diversity," often the only socially acceptable views on college campuses are from the left side of the political spectrum. Professors who teach from a conservative perspective are frequently ridiculed, reviled, discouraged, and denied because of their beliefs; conservative students are made to feel like outsiders, like there is something wrong with them. (I know of many conservative students who have decided against grad school because they know that their chances of getting hired as a professor are close to nil, regardless of their qualifications.) In short, conservatives have a rough ride in academia, imposed upon them by their predominantly liberal peers. </p>
<p>What are your thoughts on this? I feel that this is a serious disorder in today's academic world, and causes a great disservice to students. After all, colleges are supposed to be forums for different opinions and points of view, are they not? Are we really getting a well-rounded education when all we are hearing is one side?</p>
<p>Cheers.</p>
<p>I'm a moderate and I agree with you completely.</p>
<p>Most people here won't, though.</p>
<p>You exaggerate a lot. Even though liberalism wins over in academia (thank god!), there is definitely a conservative element. Some people may be ridiculed for conservative views, but that is the exception rather than the rule.</p>
<p>I really don't think I am exaggerating, friend.</p>
<p>maybe it's like that in your area...but down here in Georgia that's NOT the case at all</p>
<p>i agree with bluthunder06...here in texas, nearly everyone you meet is a conservative...but i'm not. However, if you head on over to a college like UT (good Lord UT is liberal) then you will find all of the liberals huddled together. lol. But you can also go to A&M and get a good dose of conservatism...it's up to you what you want. But I do find it interesting that UT has better academics than its conservative counterpart, and that most prestigious universities and colleges are liberal...</p>
<p>It really varies, Fides, you are making too big a generalization.</p>
<p>Well... if you say so. I certainly hope so.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What are your thoughts on this? I feel that this is a serious disorder in today's academic world, and causes a great disservice to students. After all, colleges are supposed to be forums for different opinions and points of view, are they not? Are we really getting a well-rounded education when all we are hearing is one side?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You seem to think that a liberal cannot reliably put forth conservative arguments. If you go to a good school the professors will be looking for you to justify your beliefs, whether they be conservative, liberal, or whatever else, irrespective of their own political leanings. In my four years at college I can say that not once has a professor's political views affected my grades or anyone else's. A good professor will be able to argue both sides and make you defend your position.</p>
<p>If students ridicule you solely because you're a conservative then they're ignorant and you shouldn't associate with them. There are plenty of schools where this is simply not an issue. I went to the University of Chicago, for example. Good academics are able to deal with people outside of the narrow dimensions of the contemporary American politlcal landscape.</p>
<p>"It really varies, Fides, you are making too big a generalization."</p>
<p>ZING.</p>
<p>Credit to Diocletians post as well.</p>
<p>yes it is very unfortunate that colleges are full of so many individuals that question world events and their government. If you look at history, these people only caused problems and didn't bring about any progress.</p>
<p>We should all be good boys and girls and listen to our President.</p>
<p>What I'm interested in is WHY, assuming fides' statements are true, it is so. Do the professors indoctrinate students? Do conservatives going into college learn their views are illogical? Im curious as to what you think the cause is.</p>
<p>university settings tend to be more liberal than the general population because there is a higher concentration of educated, as well as wealthy people</p>
<p>If anything, firewalker, it is that most professional academics have not lived in the real world. This is the biggest cause of one having left-wing politics.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If anything, firewalker, it is that most professional academics have not lived in the real world. This is the biggest cause of one having left-wing politics.
[/quote]
Oh, Lord. Yeah, those high-falutin' academics. What, you think they don't pay bills, that they don't need to make money? Give me a break. Besides which, how is academia not part of the "real world?" I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I've lived in the "real world" every second of my life.</p>
<p>That argument is just as dismissive as those you portray the "liberal elite" as having. "Durn liberals, never worked a day in their life!" Get real.</p>
<p>And I find it strange that even the conservative government has called on the help of the liberal professors of top universities to deal with problems like immigration...evidently they have faith in their intelligence, despite their difference in views.</p>
<p>If you don't want to go to a liberal college, there's always bob jones university.</p>
<p>You'll be in good company.</p>
<p>Just don't go to a good college and expect it to be conservative, ever.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Just don't go to a good college and expect it to be conservative, ever.
[/quote]
A good college should be neither "liberal" nor "conservative," or at least it should hold itself above such petty political distinctions. What constitutes "liberal" or "conservative" varies from year to year.</p>