<p>What’s so wrong with conservatism that no Ivy League school seems to openly accept it?</p>
<p>University of Chicago certainly is more open to the idea, it seems, especially in the field of economics.</p>
<p>So what’s wrong with conservatism?</p>
<p>Well, some would argue that what we call ‘conservatism’ is often intellectually dishonest. And intellectual dishonesty doesn’t go over so well in highly-academic environs.</p>
<p>As for Chicago, you will find that there is plenty of ‘liberalism’ there outside of the economics faculty.</p>
<p>Look at Dartmouth – still has more conserv. body. But, yeah, you won’t find a much of a nitch of conservatives at Brown.</p>
<p>Actually, there is an extremely strong niche of outspoken, brilliant conservatives at Brown - though it’s just that - a niche. For a great example, see: [Meet</a> the new campus conservatives - PATRICK GAVIN | POLITICO CLICK](<a href=“http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1008/meet_the_new_campus_conservatives.html]Meet”>Meet the new campus conservatives - PATRICK GAVIN | POLITICO CLICK) .</p>
<p>I think a lot of people don’t like it because it often appeals to a minority of the population?</p>
<p><a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism</a></p>
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<p>What’s wrong with this? Simply put, conservatism leads to tyranny: a government that cannot change to correct its failings is a government that has failed its people. Are there things wrong with the American government? Are there bad laws or rules in our society? Is it better that the government look forward, rather than trying to return to “the way things were,” which included everything from institutionalized slavery, racism and misogyny? At the point you say yes to all of these, you’re not a conservative, as you no longer want to maintain the traditional institutions as they are, and you DO want some kind of change in society. Furthermore, the change you’re looking for is forward-thinking, rather than a change to “the good ol’ days.” QED.</p>
<p>^I think the OP is talking about political conservatism, i.e. center-right on the political spectrum.</p>
<p>There is nothing “Wrong” with conservatism, I am liberal. There are plenty of Ivy’s that are filled with conservatives. It is just a different philosophy held by a different group of people. Conservatives are for economic freedom, while liberals are for personal freedoms. They are just different viewpoints, nothing is wrong with either. Most people are moderates.</p>
<p>“no Ivy League school seems to openly accept it?”</p>
<p>You’re reading too much into the supposed “reputations” of schools. All the top schools are meccas of discourse and intellectual, social and political exchange. The full spectrum of political beliefs is well represented at all of them. Don’t buy into the radio talk-show BS about top colleges’ bias against conservatives. I was not alone in my conservative beliefs by any stretch at an Ivy with a reputation as liberal as Brown’s. I would have felt 100% comfortable matriculating at Brown as well.</p>
<p>If you want to pursue a great education, the so-called “liberal” reputation of Brown and peers should not dissuade you.</p>
<p>Weird that this question is posted on the Brown forum. One of the best-known conservative governors in the US, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, is a Brown graduate. That alone should demonstrate the breadth of political opinion that can exist there. And on the socially conservative side, if I remenber correctly, Brown also has a very active Christian student group. While most students there are likley more liberal both politically and cultutally, I think this puts to rest the idea that Ivy league schools are all hotbeds of radicalism with no dissentive views.</p>
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<p>The majority of Brown students also disown him, to be fair. There are conservatives at Brown, but they seem to mostly be those with extreme positions. I haven’t noticed many who are slightly conservative.</p>
<p>The thing is, if you’re moderate, it’s hard to say “I’m moderately right-wing” because there’s just sooo much that goes into that statement. Most moderates here probably consider themselves leaning towards liberal, because they tend to agree more than disagree with their “liberal” friends, but whether their political beliefs actually fall more in the Republican or Democratic party’s favor is a tough question to discern. Especially when truly moderate candidates are so similar on both sides of the “fence.” Personally, I’ve found, from talking to my rather “conservative” family, that I agree with them more than I disagree (even if I’m willing to debate them all night over it, playing devil’s advocate), but I also agree with my classmates politically more than I disagree. Where on the spectrum, then, do I fall?</p>
<p>The Republicans have done a terrible disservice to conservatism in the past couple of decades. That probably has something to do with it.</p>
<p>^100% subjective; most of America would disagree with that assertion.</p>
<p>It’s funny, before I began college research, I had thought most Ivy League schools would be conservative leaning. This was my flawed logic: Ivy League = rich kids, and rich people are more likely to be conservative. Well, that was a couple years ago, but that just goes to show what perceptions are worth. I now know most Ivy League students are not rich, I over-generalized rich students’ views, and I guessed wrong on the political leanings of the schools, though all seem to be open-minded, in general.</p>
<p>“I pass the test that says a man who isn’t a socialist at twenty has no heart, and a man who is a socialist at forty has no head.”
– William Casey, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, 1981-1987 </p>
<p>I agree with this statement. Although a lot of college kids might support very idealist policies, I am glad that we have so many of them at Brown and the Ivy League. Imagine a world full of people that were already as cynic and narrow minded as the self proclaimed political right in America at the age of 20.
I believe there are many conservative people at Brown and they are very accepted. NOBODY I know would have a problem with an open minded and tolerant conservative. However, FOX news/Glenn Beck/Bill O’ and Tea Party fans are probably going to feel out of place. These people are the kind of conservatives that poison the water we all drink by fostering hate and intolerance. By the time these people are welcome at Brown I will transfer.</p>
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<p>Just like how most of America fondly remembers Gingrich and Bush, right?</p>
<p>I can’t tell if you’re a snarky liberal trying to undermine my defense of genuine conservatism, or just an ignorant conservative.</p>
<p>In my experience the Ivy conservatives tend to be more libertarian than anything else.</p>
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<p>Most Ivy conservatives fancy themselves Buckley-type conservatives (aka intellectual conservatives). They’d be way too embarrassed to associate themselves with the Tea Party types.</p>
<p>^The ones I know follow that pattern. There really is nothing wrong with conservatism, it’s just that the republicans have given it a bad reputation. It doesn’t help that neither party is willing to hear any of the point of the opposite sides. Both sides just stick together wit those of the same party and insult the opposite side, leading to a large amount of insularity on both sides.</p>