<p>So I keep reading that Swarthmore is ultra-liberal in every review. What does it mean in everyday life? I am a moderate (in every aspect) and trying to do my own thinking rather than sticking with any "party lines". I am open (I think at least) to other people's thoughts and views, but kind of expect others to be open to mine. Will I really be uncomfortable there?</p>
<p>I don’t care much for the level of liberalism here, so I can’t say much about that – but I would suggest that you look at the Daily Gazette (<a href=“http://daily.swarthmore.edu%5B/url%5D”>http://daily.swarthmore.edu</a>) (and read some of the comments to articles too, but don’t make too much out of them) and/or the Phoenix to get a better idea.</p>
<p>I got it…Again, I see nothing wrong with people expressing strong opinions. It’s more that I got an impression (from reading some reviews) that if you disagree (or even not actively supportive) with majority there you will be treated like a dog. It sounds kind of unique to Swarthmore (at least I’ve not seen anyone saying it about Brynn or Haverford). Do you know anyone who is not ultra-left and still likes it there? Are these just overstatements?</p>
<p>As long as you back up your views with rational and reasonable arguments, I’d say that the majority of people would not treat you horribly for holding them. It would more likely spark interesting discussion. On the other hand, if you’re not into the whole hours-long discussion thing, it’s very possible to pretty much stay out of those political conversations entirely.</p>
<p>^I second that. I would argue that 90% of the ultra vocal/activist people here express very liberal ideas. 10% vocally express conservative views. And out of the less vocal people, views are actually very varied. Much more so than I expected. In fact I would argue that I’m in the minority or small majority of people who support race-based affirmative action. This is one of my main concerns when deciding whether or not to come to Swarthmore. I’m liberal but I wanted really diversity of thought and opinion. I swear you really do get it here. No idea goes unchallenged. No matter how liberal your idea is, someone will challenge you on it. I assure you. If you don’t want your ideas challenged, just don’t talk to the activist types about politics. It’s really easy. I swear.</p>
<p>I would happily consider myself “ultra-liberal” and have not shied away from calling myself a socialist, but I definitely disagree–quietly–with much of the political rhetoric on campus. For instance, I have serious qualms about race-based affirmative action at the decision level (versus the recruitment level) and I usually refuse to sign whatever boycott/petition is circulating this week. There is certainly a small group of loud activist voices at Swarthmore, voicing largely ultra-liberal views and arguing with the even smaller group of vocal conservatives, but I think the large majority of Swatties are not politically active.</p>
<p>I agree with a lot of the posts here - there are some pretty vocal people on campus, and most of them are very liberal. I would estimate that most people are left leaning. But I definitely have conservative friends, and you don’t need to be politically active to fit in.</p>
<p>As one of the activisty types previously referred to, I’d like to add that even among activist groups, which tend to be ultra-liberal (most of us would consider ourselves to be at least somewhat socialist) I’ve never seen anyone ostracized for their opinions. I have witnessed one incident where a person with conservative opinions and made unsubstantiated claims and was attacked for it, but the whole thing was peacefully and respectfully resolved with a group discussion. While there might have been slightly less ruckus if the viewpoints expressed had been liberal, people still would probably have called the person out for not supporting their statements with facts. So basically, even if you want to be involved with political stuff as a conservative or moderate, you can do it as long as your respectful and make intelligent points. And if you don’t want to get involved with any of this, as people have said, you can definitely stay out of it by not being friends with the set of people who enjoy hours-long political discussions. Or being friends with them, and not bringing up politics.</p>
<p>Thanks guys - this is reassuring (I think). Just curious, what are the views you consider “conservative”, can you give an example. Also, I have not seen much fact-based arguments of any issues in the Gazette, but rather some well unorthodox claims (e.g. someone mentioned Reagan as an example of people who rejected democracy) - is it representative of type of discussion you guys mentioned above.</p>
<p>I think the Gazette comments can be more useful than Gazette articles themselves. That said it is definitely a very small, vocal group who comments. The best way to get a feel for the culture is to stay overnight. As for conservative views, here are some things that I’ve heard:
- Oppose affirmative action
- Oppose abortion
- Reducing immigration/anti dream act
- Reduce taxes for the wealthy
- Intelligent design arguments
- Oppose Obamacare
- Support charter schools/michelle rhee/merit based pay/ending tenure etc</p>
<p>The list goes on and on. But really I’ve never discussed an issue where there weren’t two sides. </p>
<p>If you read the Phoenix, there is a conservative column and I believe there are one or two on the Gazette as well.</p>
<p>Got it. Thanks</p>
<p>Intelligent design needs an asterisk, I think: there is a few solid religion based groups on campus, but they aren’t decrying evolution or anything like that. Climate change is generally accepted as truth, though there are exceptions. Also I don’t think I’ve heard an anti-immigration sentiment, at least not a vocal one. I think the big one is the health care plan.</p>
<p>I’ve heard all of them. Intelligent design and climate change come from one person. However, I’ve heard plenty of other flat out rejections of science. I’m in the minority because I firmly support mandating vaccinations. I’ve heard conspiracy theories about vaccines from more than one person. As for immigration, I’ve heard a lot of it. The ID/climate change stuff was more anomalous but not that. Again, it’s all in the minority, but it’s there. I’d say there is a healthy diversity of opinion here.</p>
<p>if you can actually consider reducing illegal immigration on the swarthmore campus, it’s more open minded than I would have expected. P.S. that doesn’t mean wanting to end all immigration.</p>