PSCI PhD Political Views

[APGradApplicant]

So I thought since we had a lot of time to kill while all of us wait for those hold-out schools that apparently think they're too important to notify before March, I was just kind of curious with regards to taking the political temperature of American students (meaning citizenship, not the subfield) who are planning to attend graduate programs in political science. I made the poll private so that those who choose not to make their views known publicly do not have to. Like I said, more just for fun, although there has of course been somewhat of an ongoing debate about whether the fact that academia (especially in social sciences) tends to be dominated by the Left is good/bad/doesn't matter. I don't want to get into that so much here. Like I said, more just curious about where people fall on the spectrum. Again, nobody even needs to identify on the boards unless they want to.

Edited February 25, 2010 by APGradApplicant

[carrar]

So I thought since we had a lot of time to kill while all of us wait for those hold-out schools that apparently think they're too important to notify before March, I was just kind of curious with regards to taking the political temperature of American students (meaning citizenship, not the subfield) who are planning to attend graduate programs in political science. I made the poll private so that those who choose not to make their views known publicly do not have to. Like I said, more just for fun, although there has of course been somewhat of an ongoing debate about whether the fact that academia (especially in social sciences) tends to be dominated by the Left is good/bad/doesn't matter. I don't want to get into that so much here. Like I said, more just curious about where people fall on the spectrum. Again, nobody even needs to identify on the boards unless they want to.

Thanks for the distraction!

I will not mock anyone's choices here ... except who selected "too young to vote"? Whoever you are, you must be a bright kid. (And then I hope you will not be in my program because I will feel like I have more grey hairs than I really do.)

[APGradApplicant]

Right. Haha, all I'll say is I guess three's a crowd

[curufinwe]

I was going to bring that "too young to vote" thing up, but I thought it would start a debate, so I didn't

[pea-jay]

I couldn't help but voting. Okay, so I am not a prospective PSCI grad student but it was my UG minor and has played a role in my employment and campaign work (I've worked 3 local govt campaigns now). I've seriously considered this program in the past but think I have a better shot in the MPA/MPP arena now.

[tskinner]

As far as civil liberties go, I'm pretty liberal: Gay marriage, some drug legalization (though I've never even smoked pot), maybe even prostitution, etc. (get the gov't out of our personal lives!)...

As far as economics go, I recognize there are times where a gov't needs to be fiscally conservative, and that there are times when a government needs to SPEND!

Since my civil liberties side is the only constant I have, I tend to "label" myself left of center, but I just wish politicians were more fricken' flexible!

[gapa]

I claim the "too young to vote" post :-) The fact is that I am not US citizen and cannot vote for that reason, so this entry seemed closest. I am rather old (32) for the record :-)

[Scalia]

By taking a look at my screen name I'll give you one guess how I voted.

[anxiousapplicant]

The more I study politics the less I know how to categorize myself. I usually just say "conservative" because it makes it easier, but it isn't completely accurate. I prefer less government, but I do think there needs to be some "safety net" provisions when possible. I am for complete gay rights, but I am against abortion in every circumstance, no exceptions. I care about the environment and think we need to take measures to protect it, but I think the plans many liberal activists have to save it are just too over the top and border on unfair with all the plans to tax people. I guess I just tend to be skeptical of most large-scale programs to change things. I hope I didn't start any kind of debate! These are just my views.

[APGradApplicant]

The more I study politics the less I know how to categorize myself. I usually just say "conservative" because it makes it easier, but it isn't completely accurate. I prefer less government, but I do think there needs to be some "safety net" provisions when possible. I am for complete gay rights, but I am against abortion in every circumstance, no exceptions. I care about the environment and think we need to take measures to protect it, but I think the plans many liberal activists have to save it are just too over the top and border on unfair with all the plans to tax people. I guess I just tend to be skeptical of most large-scale programs to change things. I hope I didn't start any kind of debate! These are just my views.

Sounds like we line up pretty similarly!