Do we really become more conservative with age?

Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has no heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains.

This maxim – variously attributed to Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli and Victor Hugo, among others – neatly captures the common notion that to be on the left of the political spectrum is to be young and idealistic, while to be on the right is to be older and more pragmatic. But is there any evidence for this? In Britain, age is a strong predictor of how someone will vote in an election. Older people are more supportive of the Conservatives, while younger people more supportive of Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and more recently, the Greens. This is not a recent phenomenon.

The graph below shows the pattern of Conservative support by age-group for five elections from the last 50 years, based on data from the British Election Study. Older people are always more likely to support the Conservatives. For example, when I voted for the first time in the 1997 election, only 23% of people my age (20) voted Conservative. In contrast, 42% of people my grandmother’s age (80) supported the Conservatives.





http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/03/do-we-become-more-conservative-with-age-young-old-politics

Could it be that the older you get you can see more and more of the fcuk ups that Labour visited on our country?

Only men as they become more and frightened of the real world and retreat into pipe and slippers mode.  Women see the world for what it is and become more left wing with age.

I don't think this is true of either men or women. It is also unhelpful considering liberal/LW economic politics and social politics are two different things; and likewise conservative/RW politics and social politics.

You can be RW on economics but liberal on social issues, and vice versa.

I'm now 30, which is border line. My economics remain mostly (though not entirely) socialistic with an acknowledgement of some of the benefits of capitalism.

My social views are completely liberal and loathing of conservative attitudes.

sassy wrote:Only men as they become more and frightened of the real world and retreat into pipe and slippers mode.  Women see the world for what it is and become more left wing with age.

Spoken like a true silly old dear......Get the dinner on & shut the f--k up.

Eilzel wrote:I don't think this is true of either men or women. It is also unhelpful considering liberal/LW economic politics and social politics are two different things; and likewise conservative/RW politics and social politics.

You can be RW on economics but liberal on social issues, and vice versa.

I'm now 30, which is border line. My economics remain mostly (though not entirely) socialistic with an acknowledgement of some of the benefits of capitalism.

My social views are completely liberal and loathing of conservative attitudes.

You sound more like a 14 year old.

Have you learnt how to masturbate yet.

And fetch me my dinner and be quick about it woman.

Shady wrote:

Eilzel wrote:I don't think this is true of either men or women. It is also unhelpful considering liberal/LW economic politics and social politics are two different things; and likewise conservative/RW politics and social politics.

You can be RW on economics but liberal on social issues, and vice versa.

I'm now 30, which is border line. My economics remain mostly (though not entirely) socialistic with an acknowledgement of some of the benefits of capitalism.

My social views are completely liberal and loathing of conservative attitudes.

You sound more like a 14 year old.

Have you learnt how to masturbate yet.

        









        








        

Shady wrote:

Eilzel wrote:I don't think this is true of either men or women. It is also unhelpful considering liberal/LW economic politics and social politics are two different things; and likewise conservative/RW politics and social politics.

You can be RW on economics but liberal on social issues, and vice versa.

I'm now 30, which is border line. My economics remain mostly (though not entirely) socialistic with an acknowledgement of some of the benefits of capitalism.

My social views are completely liberal and loathing of conservative attitudes.

You sound more like a 14 year old.

Have you learnt how to masturbate yet.

Wow, yet another intelligent and insightful post from our resident man of the world. Got to get your kicks somehow eh Shady

Eilzel wrote:

Shady wrote:

You sound more like a 14 year old.

Have you learnt how to masturbate yet.

Wow, yet another intelligent and insightful post from our resident man of the world. Got to get your kicks somehow eh Shady

Well,you do set yourself up for these comments Eilzel.

Perhaps it appears that people become more conservative because they have families by that age and so become more "tribe like" or protective of what they consider "their own".
When you're in your early to late twenties and the world seems all a bit rosey and your attitude is hippyish, then you can afford to be more liberal and give stuff away and have a little less care for the future.

Nobody is the same throughout any of their decades IMO
Teens - 20 - 30's - 40's all times where we change and our priorities become different

My dad was conservative until his early 50s, when he became quite progressive. I don't think there's anything to the idea of a "natural" move toward conservatism as we age. And of course, it's all in the presentation.

Young people raised as conservatives tend to see conservatism in a very idealist, utopian light. Often, the complexity of the real world hits them over the head and makes them realize that they can't view the world so simplistically.

I think both ideologies contain a mix of idealism and pragmatism, just on different subjects. Liberals tend to idealize the ability of people to get along with one another in peace, while conservatives tend to idealize so-called "traditional" rules for society.

At least in the U.S., the liberals have the advantage because whenever the conservatives try to tackle a problem, they feel duty-bound to find a "conservative" way of doing it:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/paul-ryan-spell-conservative-solutions-poverty-speech/story?id=17546699

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/01/a-conservative-solution-for-americas-long-term-jobless/283460/

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2014/01/07/sean-hannity-offers-conservative-solutions-for-americas-problems-n1772935

American liberals don't feel bound by a need to fix something only in a "liberal" way. We just favor solutions that will actually work.

Eilzel wrote:I don't think this is true of either men or women. It is also unhelpful considering liberal/LW economic politics and social politics are two different things; and likewise conservative/RW politics and social politics.

You can be RW on economics but liberal on social issues, and vice versa.

I'm now 30, which is border line. My economics remain mostly (though not entirely) socialistic with an acknowledgement of some of the benefits of capitalism.

My social views are completely liberal and loathing of conservative attitudes.

I agree, I think pretty similar

Ben_Reilly wrote:My dad was conservative until his early 50s, when he became quite progressive. I don't think there's anything to the idea of a "natural" move toward conservatism as we age. And of course, it's all in the presentation.

Young people raised as conservatives tend to see conservatism in a very idealist, utopian light. Often, the complexity of the real world hits them over the head and makes them realize that they can't view the world so simplistically.

I think both ideologies contain a mix of idealism and pragmatism, just on different subjects. Liberals tend to idealize the ability of people to get along with one another in peace, while conservatives tend to idealize so-called "traditional" rules for society.

At least in the U.S., the liberals have the advantage because whenever the conservatives try to tackle a problem, they feel duty-bound to find a "conservative" way of doing it:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/paul-ryan-spell-conservative-solutions-poverty-speech/story?id=17546699

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/01/a-conservative-solution-for-americas-long-term-jobless/283460/

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2014/01/07/sean-hannity-offers-conservative-solutions-for-americas-problems-n1772935

American liberals don't feel bound by a need to fix something only in a "liberal" way. We just favor solutions that will actually work.

Firstly... your so called 'conservatives' are totally different to ours...

Ours are so much more like your 'democrats'.

I keep telling you this but to no avail.


But anyway...


Your post...




Young people raised as conservatives tend to see conservatism in a very idealist, utopian light.Often, the complexity of the real world hits them over the head and makes them realize that they can't view the world so simplistically.

I think both ideologies contain a mix of idealism and pragmatism, just on different subjects.Liberals tend to idealize the ability of people to get along with one another in peace, while conservatives tend to idealize so-called "traditional" rules for society.




Here it is more the lefties who you describe above...


And leftie liberals are the creators of many of the problems that need fixing... although thinking that they too are the best people for solving the problems as well... and then only considering possible solutions that fit in with their happy clapped view of the world...

There are hardly any measurable differences between conservativescum and labourscum here, they are equally despicablescum.

There's not much between them, you're quite right, it's almost as if they were all following the same agenda...

Looks like I've bucked the trend then. Started of never likimg the Tories and these days I dislike them even more.

Suppose that some Tories are worse than others and this current lot are bad -real bad. In fact they make Maggie Thatcher look like Mother Teresa.....well maybe just a wee bit

Irn... where do you live?

Tommy Monk wrote:Irn... where do you live?

The answer is under my avatar lol

In the city centre, or in a sleepy 'villagey' type bit in the out skirts...?

Tommy Monk wrote:In the city centre, or in a sleepy 'villagey' type bit in the out skirts...?

Was in the outskirts and then near the city centre and then back to the outskirts.

Are you planning to track me down and firebomb ma hoose?

Irn Bru wrote:

Tommy Monk wrote:In the city centre, or in a sleepy 'villagey' type bit in the out skirts...?

Was in the outskirts and then near the city centre and then back to the outskirts.

Are you planning to track me down and firebomb ma hoose?

Irn... come on now... really...!?


I have absolutely no interest in trying to track anyone down, from anywhere, or for any reason!



Was only asking because I get a general perception from your posts and I wanted to make a wider point, not that I wanted to know exactly where you were...



So, you're in Scotland, in/near Edinburgh... all of which you have already declared public on your profile details...



Last questions... when was the last time you were in London, how long for etc...?

Tommy Monk wrote:

Irn Bru wrote:

Tommy Monk wrote:In the city centre, or in a sleepy 'villagey' type bit in the out skirts...?

Was in the outskirts and then near the city centre and then back to the outskirts.

Are you planning to track me down and firebomb ma hoose?

Irn... come on now... really...!?


I have absolutely no interest in trying to track anyone down, from anywhere, or for any reason!



Was only asking because I get a general perception from your posts and I wanted to make a wider point, not that I wanted to know exactly where you were...



So, you're in Scotland, in/near Edinburgh... all of which you have already declared public on your profile details...



Last questions... when was the last time you were in London, how long for etc...?

A couple of years ago and almost every other week up until then - business trips.

Why do you ask?

Business trips...?


Nice hotels in nice locations...?


Chauffeured back and forth throughout...?

Tommy Monk wrote:Business trips...?


Nice hotels in nice locations...?


Chauffeured back and forth throughout...?

Very raely did I stay overnight prefering to travel back instead.

London Heathrow express and the tube or a hired motor.

Why do you ask?

Confirmed what I thought... you are very opinionated about some things in and around London... things that I and others actually experience on a daily basis...

Tommy Monk wrote:Confirmed what I thought... you are very opinionated about some things in and around London... things that I and others actually experience on a daily basis...

I'm not that opinionated about what goes on in and around London. I do have my views on some things and I don't see the geography as being something that should prevent me from saying what I thnk.

Which part of the wider London area do you live in?

Well, my Aunt and Uncle live in Southall, and I often go to see them, they have lived in Southall and Wandsworth all their lives, my cousins live in Wandsworth and various other cousins live in Peckam and Lambeth and we often have a meet up.  Yep, there are all colours and faiths where they live, and they wouldn't change it.  They love the diversity and have friends from all nations.  I think it was because my grandmother was half Maltese and she and her sisters and brothers brought up the whole family to realise that the colour of someones skin doesn't matter, what their faith is doesn't matter, it's what is in their hearts and the way they treat you that matters.   Nine times out of ten, you be friendly and they'll be friendly right back.

"Grandmother half Maltese" you could be related to Didge!

nicko wrote:"Grandmother half Maltese"    you could be related to Didge!

I grew up in Catford then moved a bit further into the outskirts of south east London', always within the M25.

I was referring to the huge levels of immigration before... you seem to be one of those who thinks its great but are largely unaffected by it up where you are, and can't seem to bring yourself to believe what others experience in London... which is where most Of The immigrants come to by the way...