Why are most artists and musicians liberal and vote Democrat?

[treadmill]

As a musician myself, I have thought about this issue long and hard. Why is an overwealming number of artists, actors and musicians liberal? Apart from the country music scene, the brightest and best musicians all appear to be liberal. Libs would have you believe the dogma that smart and talented people vote liberal. This only works so far and believe there is much more to this. Here is my take:

Artists, in being creative people, are naturally inclined to explore new frontiers, cast aside convention and interact with the world in a, well, "creative" fashion. Their modus operandi is "self-expression' and the "freedom" to express unique ideas. Conventional liberal thought plays into this mind-set. It would be reasonable to expect that "creative"' people would be attracted to a world view which is, itself, "creative" and counter to "tradition".

This is where, however, things go wrong. During the 1950s and '60, the above may have been true to some extent. However, in the 21st century, it is "liberalism" which is reactionary, not "conservatism". The concept that "liberalism" equates with "forward thinking" no longer applies (nor does the equation of "conservatism" with "backward thinking"). because most creative social, economic and political ideas are currently emanating from conservatives, it makes more sense to look at things in 2 dimensions (liberalism = left, conservatism = right) and forget the "forward' and "backward" talk.

The problem with artists, musicians, actors, etc. is that their artistic talents usually translate poorly into the social and political spectrum. They are still stuck in the "liberalism = forward thinking" and "conservatism = backward thinking" mode. When they venture beyond their own realm, they aren't, quite frankly, any more intelligent as any lay person and one should be wary of following them as social leaders. In the respect of credibility, their dogmatic approach to politics makes them their own worst enemies. of course, there is also the "bohemian rebel image" which attracts many artists to anti-American, anti-conservative activities (which, however attractive to artists themselves, only further reinforces the dumbing down of the arts community, in my view).

Bottom line for me is this; liberalism (as liberals present the ideology) fits comfortably with the 'freedom of expression' mind set of the artist community. However, the reality of current liberalism (as a fascist, hate-centered ideology as it currently exists in the 21st century) runs in direct contrast to the artistic ideal of "freedom". Musicians are either too complacent or lacking in awareness to see this. Artistic talent does NOT automatically translate into social awareness. That's for certain!

[jkm]

Can't vouch for musicians, but try to find a book called RED STAR OVER HOLLYWOOD. You might have to go somewhere like www.townhall.com, or even see if it is in Mr. Hannity's book club. But it could explain better than I could why many artistic types at least experiment with liberalism.

[GibsonSG]

I don't know if that is even a true situation.

I have been a musician since the 70's, and I am conservative.

Most people I have been in bands with, have not been political at all, most seem to ignore politics in general.

Perhaps the conservative ones are just more private with their political opinions? Maybe the liberal ones are just more public about it?

I don't think there is any way to label musicians in a political way...we are all different, and do things our own way.

[pattyk]

I am also a musician. the word "liberal" just sounds cooler than "conservative" to the other musicians I know. (although we try to not talk pollytics too much)

free love man!

[Conan]

Because society tells them that their liberal.

Liberal arts?

But society doesn't tell them that democrats themselves are not liberal.

So they continue believing in that lie.

[jezcoe]

I think you also need you clarify conservative. Does that include social cons? If it does you might have an answer.

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

As a musician myself, I have thought about this issue long and hard. Why is an overwealming number of artists, actors and musicians liberal? Apart from the country music scene, the brightest and best musicians all appear to be liberal. Libs would have you believe the dogma that smart and talented people vote liberal. This only works so far and believe there is much more to this. Here is my take:

Artists, in being creative people, are naturally inclined to explore new frontiers, cast aside convention and interact with the world in a, well, "creative" fashion. Their modus operandi is "self-expression' and the "freedom" to express unique ideas. Conventional liberal thought plays into this mind-set. It would be reasonable to expect that "creative"' people would be attracted to a world view which is, itself, "creative" and counter to "tradition".

This is where, however, things go wrong. During the 1950s and '60, the above may have been true to some extent. However, in the 21st century, it is "liberalism" which is reactionary, not "conservatism". The concept that "liberalism" equates with "forward thinking" no longer applies (nor does the equation of "conservatism" with "backward thinking"). because most creative social, economic and political ideas are currently emanating from conservatives, it makes more sense to look at things in 2 dimensions (liberalism = left, conservatism = right) and forget the "forward' and "backward" talk.

The problem with artists, musicians, actors, etc. is that their artistic talents usually translate poorly into the social and political spectrum. They are still stuck in the "liberalism = forward thinking" and "conservatism = backward thinking" mode. When they venture beyond their own realm, they aren't, quite frankly, any more intelligent as any lay person and one should be wary of following them as social leaders. In the respect of credibility, their dogmatic approach to politics makes them their own worst enemies. of course, there is also the "bohemian rebel image" which attracts many artists to anti-American, anti-conservative activities (which, however attractive to artists themselves, only further reinforces the dumbing down of the arts community, in my view).

Bottom line for me is this; liberalism (as liberals present the ideology) fits comfortably with the 'freedom of expression' mind set of the artist community. However, the reality of current liberalism (as a fascist, hate-centered ideology as it currently exists in the 21st century) runs in direct contrast to the artistic ideal of "freedom". Musicians are either too complacent or lacking in awareness to see this. Artistic talent does NOT automatically translate into social awareness. That's for certain!

Artists and musicians tend overwhelmingly to be liberals because someone in those businesses is going to a) be more imaginative than average, b) be more interested in changing things and pushing boundaries than keeping the status quo (which pretty much is conservatism, or at least sane conservatism) and c) because of these factors be more susceptible to Utopian political ideologies unconstrained by reality.

Also, southpaws and gays are drastically overrepresented in the artistic community, right-brained people seem to tend liberal and teh gheyz. . well does that really need an explanation?

[Tim]

My son and my best friend are musicians so I get to hang around with quite a few in that group. It seems that most of those I know are either a-political or libertarian-minded. Most of them don't vote... the few that do lean more conservative and say they vote either for the Libertarian candidate or Republican more often than Democrat.

[mkh]

Basically, liberal artists of whatever kind are too dumb to know what your imaginary view of current liberalism is?

[mkh]

Wouldn't most artist be completely conservative on the keep the government out of our life view point? I mean, they all just want to make their art and get high/drunk/nailed.

[Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese]

Oh, and they also pretty much hate social conservatives, who shockingly want more restrictions in the social sphere, the sphere artists happen to make their living in.

[Conan]

I wonder who here makes a living off his art work?

[DDawg]

Because they got "LIBERAL ART" degrees .... [rimshot]

[JerryN]

I think you also need you clarify conservative. Does that include social cons? If it does you might have an answer.

I believe you are correct there. In the particular area where their philosophical focus is, the Left and Right both want too much government

the Right, in America, endorses the war on drugs as well as a closer unity
between government and church, bans on prostitution, gambling, pornography and other vices. It is mostly concerning the crafting of people’s souls that the Right enlists the government’s coercive powers, although since body and soul aren’t ever sharply divided, this often involves regulating people’s economic activities as well (e.g., when Sunday blue laws prohibit commerce in liquor).

The Left, in turn, wants heavy government regulation of the economy—minimum wage laws, anti-trust crusades, etc. They want progressive taxation and government efforts to equalize and redistribute wealth, not simply protect the integrity of market transactions. Here, too, a sharp division between the economic and the spiritual is impossible, so the
Left is often involved in regimenting people’s talking and thinking (e.g., when it supports government bans on hate speech or racial discrimination in commerce).

I would expect that artists would be more likely to object to behavioral controls advocated by the Right/Conservatives/Republicans than to the Left/Liberal/Democrat efforts to control their money.

[Relyks]

Apart from the country music scene, the brightest and best musicians all appear to be liberal.

You clearly have never been to Austin.