Bias in Academia

[flash9286]

The college Republicans were holding a protest about bias in universities against conservatives. So it got me thinking about why liberals out number conservatives about 6:1 in universities. My own belief is that its more self-selection and different goals between liberals and conservatives rather than bias. I would think a conservative would be more likely to go into business, law etc. rather than stay in school and go to grad school.

And my second question would be if you do believe there is a bias, how would you remedy it. Affirmative action for conservative professors .

Anyway here are two articles taking two different viewpoints on the cause of lopsidedness of academia.

http://www.ratio.se/pdf/wp/dk_ls_diverse.pdf

http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/econ/archive/wp2005-08.pdf

[Japher]

I think the more you grow up and the more you responsibility you take the more likely you are to become a republican. It's a certain level of maturity, or at least an appearance of maturity. This is what is seen in students going into grad school; a sense of urgency, responsibility, and acheivement.

[troll]Liberals are lazy [/troll]

How would I eliminate it? I wouldn't. I would just encourage, or make it easier, to attend and afford countinuing education for mature professionals because I feel life lessons are important instructors that can't be found in the halls of acadamia. Many ppl who come out of grad school still have a lot to learn before they are decent or worthy members of society.

[dannubis]

Originally posted by Japher
I think the more you grow up and the more you responsibility you take the more likely you are to become a republican. It's a certain level of maturity, or at least an appearance of maturity.

what about being conservative as hell is mature ?

meddling in other peoples lives? (in the worst possible way ?)

[Pekka]

Politics in school, even academia, is BS.

[Pekka]

dannubis, republicans bought the rights to family values, so stfu.

[ajbera]

I don't think conservatives are concerned with remedying the ratio of liberals to conservatives, certainly not via any kind of affirmative action. I think like any minority group (in this circumstance) they just want the right to speak their minds and put forth their opinions and perspective without being shouted down or disrupted.

For example, I think Ann Coulter is a shrill harpy, but I found it to be absolutely loathsome that she was jeered to the point where she had to end her talk.

A college or university is supposed to be the realm of ideas, not violent emotion (except in bed or the sports field). If you think someone's expressed viewpoint is utter ****e, use logic and reason to dissect and repudiate it. Argue and explain why they are wrong, don't just scream and jeer so they can't speak. Vile and awful. Those students should be ashamed of themselves, but too few college-aged kids are capable of feeling shame these days.

[Pekka]

I would agree that everyone should get the same respect when talking, meaning that they can do their thing, and then civilized debates.

[Timexwatch]

Conservatives know that academia doesn't pay. They go out and get real jobs.

[Japher]

Those who can do
Those who can't teach
Those who can't teach apply for research grants and hire TAs
Those who can't do any of that go into management

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by ajbera
I don't think conservatives are concerned with remedying the ratio of liberals to conservatives, certainly not via any kind of affirmative action. I think like any minority group (in this circumstance) they just want the right to speak their minds and put forth their opinions and perspective without being shouted down or disrupted.

For example, I think Ann Coulter is a shrill harpy, but I found it to be absolutely loathsome that she was jeered to the point where she had to end her talk.

A college or university is supposed to be the realm of ideas, not violent emotion (except in bed or the sports field). If you think someone's expressed viewpoint is utter ****e, use logic and reason to dissect and repudiate it. Argue and explain why they are wrong, don't just scream and jeer so they can't speak. Vile and awful. Those students should be ashamed of themselves, but too few college-aged kids are capable of feeling shame these days.

True. I hate everything Ann Coulter says, but I'll defend to the death her right to say it.

,,,But right before I take my dying breath, I'll turn around a blow her non-existing brains out. --Just tiding up the place before I go.

[Japher]

I don't think labeling Ann as a conservative is fair... I'm a conservative and I hate her too!

[Sava]

This is a simple thing to answer.

Educated people tend to be more liberal thinking.

Certain types of people tend to be attracted towards a career in education. And these people have personalities and values that clash with conservative values.

To be conservative, you need a strong commitment towards ignorance and close-mindedness. Those are qualities that clash with the type of skills that are necessary for having a successful academic career... being receptive to new ideas, having an open mind, and a willingness to work in a diverse environment

There are places, however, where conservatives can excel in "academia"...

http://www.bju.edu/

[Ben Kenobi]

Those are qualities that clash with the type of skills that are necessary for having a successful academic career... being receptive to new ideas, having an open mind, and a willingness to work in a diverse environment

How about searching for the truth and being willing to accept your findings even if they disprove your hypothesis?

I don't see conservatives as lacking the necessary tools to flourish in an academic career, rather I see that they are unsuited for the environment where style trumps content, and finesse over systematic research.

As for working in a diverse environment, I don't see why one should prefer working with folks with different backgrounds over working with folks who all come from the same background. If the issue is one of competence, then diversity matters very little. You take the best folks regardless of where they come from.

To be conservative, you need a strong commitment towards ignorance and close-mindedness.

Sig worthy comment, sava. What does it say when the very first person to throw insults is a self-proclaimed liberal?

[Japher]

Hey! I kind of threw insults...

[Ben Kenobi]

The college Republicans were holding a protest about bias in universities against conservatives. So it got me thinking about why liberals out number conservatives about 6:1 in universities. My own belief is that its more self-selection and different goals between liberals and conservatives rather than bias. I would think a conservative would be more likely to go into business, law etc. rather than stay in school and go to grad school.

If liberals, particularly in the humanities, scrutinise your application to grad school, who do you think has a better chance of making the grade? A liberal or a conservative? I think most conservatives understand that this is the way business is done in academia, so they get their degree, and go out in the real world.

And my second question would be if you do believe there is a bias, how would you remedy it. Affirmative action for conservative professors

Reform the hirings process to favour merit and not ideological purity.