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Faculty Voter Registration in Economics, History, Journalism, Law, and Psychology

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  • Mitchell Langbert
  • Anthony J. Quain
  • Daniel B. Klein

Abstract

We investigate the voter registration of faculty at 40 leading U.S. universities in the fields of Economics, History, Journalism/Communications, Law, and Psychology. We looked up 7,243 professors and found 3,623 to be registered Democratic and 314 Republican, for an overall D:R ratio of 11.5:1. The D:R ratios for the five fields were: Economics 4.5:1, History 33.5:1, Journalism/Communications 20.0:1, Law 8.6:1, and Psychology 17.4:1. The results indicate that D:R ratios have increased since 2004, and the age profile suggests that in the future they will be even higher. We provide a breakdown by department at each university. The data support the established finding that D:R ratios are highest at the apex of disciplinary pyramids, that is, at the most prestigious departments. We also examine how D:R ratios vary by gender and by region. People interested in ideological diversity or concerned about the errors of leftist outlooks—including students, parents, donors, and taxpayers—might find our results deeply troubling.

Suggested Citation

  • Mitchell Langbert & Anthony J. Quain & Daniel B. Klein, 2016. "Faculty Voter Registration in Economics, History, Journalism, Law, and Psychology," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 13(3), pages 422–451-4, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ejw:journl:v:13:y:2016:i:3:p:422-451
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shanto Iyengar & Sean J. Westwood, 2015. "Fear and Loathing Across Party Lines: New Evidence on Group Polarization," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 59(3), pages 690-707, July.
    2. Marko Terviö, 2011. "Divisions within Academia: Evidence from Faculty Hiring and Placement," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 93(3), pages 1053-1062, August.
    3. Klein, Daniel B., 2014. "Knowledge and Coordination: A Liberal Interpretation," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199355327, Decembrie.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mitchell Langbert & Anthony J. Quain & Daniel B. Klein, 2017. "Faculty Voter Registration: Rectifying the Omission of Two Florida Universities," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 14(1), pages 1-55–60, January.
    2. Sean T. Stevens & Lee Jussim & Nathan Honeycutt, 2020. "Scholarship Suppression: Theoretical Perspectives and Emerging Trends," Societies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-21, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Voter registration; academia; ideology; political parties; professors;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate

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