Are right-wing people less intelligent?

[JimT]

From my personal experience, and based on the discussions here, that's how it seems to me. Unsophisticated arguments based on ignorance and lack of understanding generally seem more likely to come from right-wingers. They also tend to have a bee in their bonnets about what they see as "the educated classes" and anything to do with intellectualism. Their totem, their idol, Margaret Thatcher, disliked the arts, culture and intellectualism, as do many of her followers. The Tories always seemed, traditionally, to be the 'stupid' party. Sure, there are right-wing intellectuals in the media. But your average right-winger on the street seems to me to be of the meat-headed thuggish blokeish Sun-reading species. Is there a correlation?

[alexanderd]

twisted facts and manipulative nature , isnt that the same with all newspapers? they are all biased one way or the other

[DaisyNonna]

It really is a complete load of rubbish. Most people are neither right wing or left wing. There are good and bad ideas on both sides.
"Average right winger" Which division does he or she play in?
"on the street" where is there a facility for such games? Football or Hockey?
"stupid" seems to refer to politicians rather than voters.
"blokeish" - had you noticed that women are eligible to vote?

[Answerprancer]

I agree, but the DM is the one that seems to do it the most blatantly - this is a popular opinion not just mine.
This parody sums it up very well, and injects some humour into the subject:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eBT6OSr1TI

[craft1948]

I'be been a DM reader for 40 years...............

[craft1948]

^ I've been

[Answerprancer]

Blimey - and you're still smiling ! ..well done.

[craft1948]

Thanks AP...............I smile to cover my bigotry and obvious lack of intelligence :-)

[alexanderd]

popular with who?

[joko]

this question has nothing to do with whose side you are on - it is also not designed to be an attack or provoke a debate on the political issues of the 2

its about people and their nature...and actually i can see some logic in this, based on the many people of both sides that i have met...

generally the right wingers actually so seem to be less interested in learning and in understanding other people, their ways, values, cultures, their psychology etc etc ...and its this that makes them less intelligent...not that they are too stupid to learn...but rather that they choose not to...they appear happier with the status quo

they tend to be more set in their ways and come to conclusions and beliefs based on little actual real evidence...often its hearsay, gossip, misunderdstanding etc, but its unverified yet accepted at face value, and steadfastly adhered to... and sometimes a refusal to adjust their thinking when new aspects appear...

this of course does not apply to all right wingers...i am sure many are the total opposite.. and i have no doubt many left winger are idiots too...this is just the perception i have gained over time...

[Quizmonster]

John Stuart Mill, one of England's greatest philosophers, chided for calling the Tories "stupid", wrote:

"I never meant to say that the Conservatives are generally stupid. I meant to say that stupid people are generally conservative. I believe that is so obviously and universally admitted a principle that I hardly think any gentleman will deny it.
Suppose any party, in addition to whatever share it may possess of the ability of the community, has nearly the whole of its stupidity, that party must, by the law of the constitution, be the stupidest party; and I do not see why honourable gentlemen should see that position as at all offensive to them, for it ensures their being always an extremely powerful party . . . There is so much defence, solid force in sheer stupidity, that any body of able men with that force pressing behind them may ensure victory in many a struggle, and many a victory the Conservative party has gained through that power."

So there you have it...perhaps the leaders of any conservative (small 'c') party may well not be stupid, but vast numbers of their supporters are none too bright, as JSM suggested and as we often see here on AnswerBank.

[ludwig]

Bigotry, prejudice, snobbery, hypocrisy, and yes.. ultimately..stupidity. There's alot of it about Jim, there's certainly no denying that. I think you've made the case very well.

[DTCwordfan]

I tend to the right and have already mentioned that linking the right to ignorance of the arts is a bit rich - after all a lot of the money philanthropically given vomes from the right and has been for a long time.

What annoys me about the right wing is their reluctance to embrace change - the word Conservative embraces that......Societal structuring, the economy, politics, science (and even the arts) are in perpetual movement and we need to embrace change, not per se fight against it for the good old days. For example, look at the Middle East - the challenge being how do we, the West, encourage and nurture a more open and democratic system. Being anti-Middle Eastern and 'racist' is certainly not going to win us friends out in the region..........

[R1Geezer]

This question just illustrates a point I regularly make, lefties are completely baffled by any contra opinion and tend to start throwing insults about. do you not see the paradox of your post JimT!

[jake-the-peg]

The fact that you've clearly not bothered to read or consider any of the quite good points made further up the thread - or if you have, not tried to address them is quite ironic in if you think about it Geezer?

You weren't afraid doing so might brand you an intellectual were you?

I know how you right wing types like in mortal fear of such an accusation

[R1Geezer]

I already am an intellectual jake. You yourself once accused me of being intelligent!
I just don't fit the sterotypes.

[brionon]

Yes !

[Svealand]

...and why is it always right-wingers who are in favour of hanging, hunting and experimenting on animals. These same killers will tell you they're pro-life!

[jomifl]

Yes.. but than what? also more intelligent than something else, whatever.