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Does Their Subject of Study Influence the Political Leanings of Students?

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Listed:
  • Kristin Fischer
  • Björn Kauder
  • Niklas Potrafke

Abstract

Does their subject of study influence the political attitudes of students? To decouple self-selection effects from learning effects, initial analyses focus on whether the subjects chosen by first-year students correlate with their political leanings. In a second step the authors analyse how students' political attitudes change over the course of their studies. The results, which are based on a survey of German students with a sample size that far exceeds that of comparable student surveys, reveals systematic differences in the political leanings of students in eight different subjects. These differences can be ascribed to self-selection in most cases. Economic sciences are an exception to this rule. Even if self-selection plays an important role, academic training in economic sciences has a clear influence over political opinions. By the time that they complete their studies, economics students are 6.2 percent more likely to agree with a liberal policy position than when they begin their higher education.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristin Fischer & Björn Kauder & Niklas Potrafke, 2016. "Does Their Subject of Study Influence the Political Leanings of Students?," ifo Schnelldienst, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 69(15), pages 17-24, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifosdt:v:69:y:2016:i:15:p:17-24
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. George Stigler, 1959. "The Politics of Political Economists," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 73(4), pages 522-532.
    2. Fischer, Mira & Kauder, Björn & Potrafke, Niklas & Ursprung, Heinrich W., 2017. "Support for free-market policies and reforms: Does the field of study influence students' political attitudes?," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 180-197.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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