http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...d=970599119419

I can't see this study being factual whatsoever... a lot of liberals i've ever encountered (not all of them) lacked responsibility, hated authoritative figures, and constantly complained and *****ed. Let's do the same study from a red state and see how many kids complain that have been swinging hay all their lives...

 

I think the only way to do this sort of study is in a region that's 50/50 on the polls and with x10 the people. If you do it in Berkeley then the chances of getting more good apples are greater. You get to pick more good ones from a larger batch. More of them probably grew up liberal because of immediate outside influences. What a waste of 20yrs...

 

The study does seem a little 'bell curve'ish. I don't really trust it, but hey...I was an independant non-whiner according to people who knew me before I can remember.

 

I have no ideas nor opinions, but it could be argued that even if there's a small chance that political leanings (one's sensitivity, responsibility, character, sense of right or wrong....) are hereditary, Berkeley just doesn't seem an appropriate location to conduct that study.

 

i think your political view comes more from the economic condition of you're family growing up...and your parents political views....

 

I agree that economic conditions play a partial role, but not as much as you think. I think it's more life experiences (friends) and family views that dictate it. My sister and I are about 2 and a half years apart, lived in the same house our whole lives and she's def. more liberal (left-wing) than I am. She has a couple conservative views, just like a I have some liberal views. But we disagree on a lot of things politics. I guess I would actually say it's really who you're closest to, be it parent, friends, extended family, etc. that play the largest roll in determining your political views.

EDIT: Think about this for example:

South: lesser income than New England, more conservative
New England: very liberal

website

 

I agree that political leanings should be attributed to a variety of factors. The south is conservative and votes Republican primarily because of the predominance of Christian voters.