Correlation Between Far Leftism and Intelligence?

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

First, I'd like to say that I'm not trying to be rude to any ideology and recognize that there are many intelligent individuals who follow mainstream politics. However, some American revolutionary-leftists and I were discussing American social movements. We noticed that there are very few, if any, "unintelligent" revolutionary-leftists, especially in the United States. Does anyone have a view on why this is? Complexity of theory? Greater likelihood to look beyond the mainstream? I thought it was an interesting observation...

EDIT: I'm not being elitist or anything like that. I'm not trying to flaunt it. I'm merely pointing out an innocent observation.

[Rooster]

This feels like ego stroking.

I'm of the opinion that the half of the people can be/are as intelligent as the other half. It's not really a case of being able to look outside of the box. More of a case of being told there's a box in the first place.

[Raightning]

I'd say probably because ultimately, at current, revolutionary politics are a bit of a 'fringe interest', and you won't find many people involved in revolutionary movements who are of low intelligence because it's not something they really have ready access to (it's kept out of the media, out of popular culture, etc.). There's also the whole issue about the internet itself having a self-selecting bias (presuming you're talking about discussions over the internet here, although the same could be applied to real groups particularly due to the social manner in which such movements grow).

I don't think it's complexity of theory; hell, apart from anything else, leftism is often beautiful in its simplicity (it all after all boils down to "we want an equal society, we will get that equal society, to hell with the prattling of the liberals and the social democrats and all their friends"). Of course, it's probably a different matter when it comes to, say, who'd sign for RevLeft, because if someone isn't that interested in the theory and in discussing the theory, they won't.

I should reiterate though I guess that nothing is more stupid, arrogant or destructive than getting all elitist over 'intelligence', particularly not when it comes to 'well, we're just smarter than you' stuff. I mean, hell, look at the mass of bloody liberals trumpeting those studies that show slightly higher average IQ for liberals against conservatives, or whatever. Apart from being annoying, it's also counter-productive really unless you're a nihilist or something.

(I know you probably didn't mean it that way, but it's something that should be said as a starter to any such discussion, I guess.)

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

This feels like ego stroking.

I'm of the opinion that the half of the people can be/are as intelligent as the other half. It's not really a case of being able to look outside of the box. More of a case of being told there's a box in the first place.

Yes, but I don't see many "stupid" revolutionary-leftists... the majority have at least a certain degree of intelligence. And it's not ego-stroking, it's just an observation. One can't really refute that the average intelligence level on this forum is very high relative to that of the population.

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

I'd say probably because ultimately, at current, revolutionary politics are a bit of a 'fringe interest', and you won't find many people involved in revolutionary movements who are of low intelligence because it's not something they really have ready access to (it's kept out of the media, out of popular culture, etc.). There's also the whole issue about the internet itself having a self-selecting bias (presuming you're talking about discussions over the internet here, although the same could be applied to real groups particularly due to the social manner in which such movements grow).

I don't think it's complexity of theory; hell, apart from anything else, leftism is often beautiful in its simplicity (it all after all boils down to "we want an equal society, we will get that equal society, to hell with the prattling of the liberals and the social democrats and all their friends"). Of course, it's probably a different matter when it comes to, say, who'd sign for RevLeft, because if someone isn't that interested in the theory and in discussing the theory, they won't.

I should reiterate though I guess that nothing is more stupid, arrogant or destructive than getting all elitist over 'intelligence', particularly not when it comes to 'well, we're just smarter than you' stuff. I mean, hell, look at the mass of bloody liberals trumpeting those studies that show slightly higher average IQ for liberals against conservatives, or whatever. Apart from being annoying, it's also counter-productive really unless you're a nihilist or something.

(I know you probably didn't mean it that way, but it's something that should be said as a starter to any such discussion, I guess.)

Of course I didn't mean that. I reiterated it in an edit. Thank you.

On another note, perhaps this isn't the best discussion to be having at all...

[Raightning]

Yes, but I don't see many "stupid" revolutionary-leftists... the majority have at least a certain degree of intelligence. And it's not ego-stroking, it's just an observation. One can't really refute that the average intelligence level on this forum is very high relative to that of the population.
Probably, but that's because the sort of person who would discuss political theory on an internet forum is generally the sort of person who we would consider "intelligent", given that this is what we as a society consider intelligence to be.

Not to mention, you're always more likely to look favourably on your own, let's be honest.


Of course I didn't mean that. I reiterated it in an edit. Thank you.

On another note, perhaps this isn't the best discussion to be having at all...
To be honest, I'd say so personally, but if you or other people want to discuss it, that's fair enough I guess (although that's only my own opinion still I guess). I don't see the point in it but hey, there's a reason you don't see everyone posting in every thread ever. ;)

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

Probably, but that's because the sort of person who would discuss political theory on an internet forum is generally the sort of person who we would consider "intelligent", given that this is what we as a society consider intelligence to be.

Not to mention, you're always more likely to look favourably on your own, let's be honest.

:o meh

[Rooster]

Yes, but I don't see many "stupid" revolutionary-leftists... the majority have at least a certain degree of intelligence. And it's not ego-stroking, it's just an observation. One can't really refute that the average intelligence level on this forum is very high relative to that of the population.

Heh, I've met a few "stupid" leftists. I think the real reason though, is that we've been given the chance to learn Marx or how to read Marx and such from the situations we've been brought up in. I'm guessing the majority of us have been to university or college and if not, then we've at least heard of Marx. So I think this disproportionately skewers things. I don't think there's anything that complicated with what we believe in.

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

Heh, I've met a few "stupid" leftists. I think the real reason though, is that we've been given the chance to learn Marx or how to read Marx and such from the situations we've been brought up in. I'm guessing the majority of us have been to university or college and if not, then we've at least heard of Marx. So I think this disproportionately skewers things. I don't think there's anything that complicated with what we believe in.

Granted. Good, question resolved.

[Tablo]

I've met many stupid far-left individuals. I think we arguably could find more intelligent far-leftists on average since actually knowing far-left ideology requires you to be at least mildly scholarly.

[Political_Chucky]

I think this a bit related to intelligence. There have been studies that scientists have supposedly found "liberal" and "conservative" genes and that even conservatives have more fear centers in their brains.

http://goodmenproject.com/2010/12/31/study-of-the-day-conservative-brains-have-bigger-fear-centers/

I don't think its that clear cut, but something worth looking into. But one question I would have is which is the cause of which? Do brians produce these genes and thats where our politics come from, or are they formed by our situation and state of living which then translate the brains producing certain chemicals that produce these types of thoughts. I would think the latter and would also argue that if this is relevant, that it would definitely effect a person's rational and emotional type of thinking. That would translate into intelligence.

[ExUnoDisceOmnes]

I think this a bit related to intelligence. There have been studies that scientists have supposedly found "liberal" and "conservative" genes and that even conservatives have more fear centers in their brains.

http://goodmenproject.com/2010/12/31/study-of-the-day-conservative-brains-have-bigger-fear-centers/

I don't think its that clear cut, but something worth looking into. But one question I would have is which is the cause of which? Do brians produce these genes and thats where our politics come from, or are they formed by our situation and state of living which then translate the brains producing certain chemicals that produce these types of thoughts. I would think the latter and would also argue that if this is relevant, that it would definitely effect a person's rational and emotional type of thinking. That would translate into intelligence.

It would also reinforce Marx's theory of class consciousness.

[Aurorus Ruber]

I have heard that if you look at the average IQ of each US state, the liberal leaning states generally have noticeably higher averages than the conservative ones. Although this probably reflects educational funding and poverty rates, which have a big impact on academic advancement. And naturally conservative states devote less resources to public education and cutting poverty.

[Rusty Shackleford]

what are we skilled at? were not necessarily more intelligent. we are just much more knowledgeable of social and economic issues. it kind of comes with the ideology.

there are just as intelligent people on the right and dare i say it... fascist groups(call them idiots as much as you want, but if they are able to maintain themselves then they are obviously not all knuckle-draggers. im not apologizing for fascism though.).

im an idiot when it comes to pop culture for example.
im an idiot when it comes to cars.
clothing.
sports.