Are University Academics More Likely to Be Left-Wing?

The idea that university academics are more likely to be left-wing has been a subject of debate. This article delves into whether this phenomenon is driven by personal moral objections to wealth, economic realities in academia, or political alignment. Let's explore the data and theories surrounding these hypotheses.

Personal Morality and Wealth Objections

First, it is argued that those who are morally opposed to wealth are more likely to enter academia rather than business. This idea suggests that academics are less concerned with accumulating wealth, leading to a higher concentration of left-wing views. However, a closer look at the data reveals that this hypothesis may not hold true in all cases.

Data on Political Identification Among Academics

According to a large Pew survey, 72% of academics identified themselves as liberal compared to 15% who identified as conservative. When voting, 50% of academics indicated they support Democrats, whereas only 11% support Republicans. These statistics highlight a clear trend in political leanings among academics, leaning towards the left.

Economics and Education

Support for the hypothesis that academics are less likely to be interested in wealth due to their economic environment is generally weak. For instance, business and management professors, who might be expected to have fewer moral objections to wealth, have a similar distribution of political leanings to other educational fields. Moreover, top fields like business and computer science—which could lead to economic gains—still show a bias towards liberalism.

Economic Dependence and Political Affiliations

Education and nursing, fields predominantly staffed by women, often offer middle-class jobs with limited opportunities for wealth accumulation. However, these fields are among the least liberal, according to the survey data. Computer science, on the other hand, might have the best potential for economic success and shows a more moderate political stance. The fields of humanities and social sciences, while offering fewer opportunities for personal wealth, provide a significant number of graduates with successful careers in business, politics, and other areas. This suggests that economic factors alone do not fully explain the political leanings of academics.

The Role of Government and Public Employment

Academics often work in environments where their economic interests and group loyalties are closely tied to government support. Whether as public employees or dependent on grants, academics are often employed in organizations heavily regulated and supported by government. This alignment with government interests often influences their political stances.

Liberalism and Funding Issues

When it comes to specific issues like funding for education in humanities and social sciences, or employment opportunities for college graduates, academics exhibit particularly strong liberal views. However, for issues not directly related to the economic well-being of academics, their political stances align more with demographic expectations.

Conclusion

The complex interplay between personal morality, economic environment, and government support all contribute to the political leanings of academics. While personal objections to wealth may play a role, the primary indicators of academic leftism are more likely tied to their professional and government-supported environment. Understanding this helps to provide a clearer picture of why university academics often lean towards left-wing political stances.