Illiberal [Adj.]

From the Latin illiberalis, restrictive to individual choice and freedom; narrow-minded; bigoted.

On A Liberal Bias

“Reality has a well-known liberal bias.”

– Stephen Colbert

Intelligence, Liberalism and Atheism

A higher intelligence has a definite correlation with a liberal political ideology and atheism, or so new statistical research informs us. According to psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa, human beings with an above average intelligence are more likely to adapt themselves to evolutionary innovations and act according to superior values.

“General intelligence, the ability to think and reason, endowed our ancestors with advantages in solving evolutionarily novel problems for which they did not have innate solutions,” argues Kanazawa. “As a result, more intelligent people are more likely to recognize and understand such novel entities and situations than less intelligent people, and some of these entities and situations are preferences, values, and lifestyles.”

Religion is a by-product of man’s tendency to constantly try to see patterns in the world around him, and to try to explain – however feebly – everything that world. “Humans are evolutionarily designed to be paranoid, and they believe in [a] god because they are paranoid,” states Kanazawa.

Now, this paranoid behaviour was fine for our ancient ancestors. In fact, it probably helped them to remain vigilant and alert to dangers that could pose a threat to themselves, their family and their tribe. – Hardly behaviour that one likes to associate with modern mankind.

“What is it you most dislike? Stupidity, especially in its nastiest forms of racism and superstition. […] The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.” ― Christopher Hitchens

Kanazawa concludes “so, more intelligent children are more likely to grow up to go against their natural evolutionary tendency to believe in god, and they become atheists.”

Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (2010) supports Kanazawa’s hypothesis. Young adults who subjectively identify themselves as ‘very liberal’ have an average IQ of 106 during adolescence, while those who identify themselves as ‘very conservative’ have an average IQ of 95 during adolescence.

Similarly, young adults who identify themselves as ‘not at all religious’ have an average IQ of 103 during adolescence, while those who identify themselves as ‘very religious’ have an average IQ of 97 during adolescence.

Are Conservatives Not Funny?

On the surface it makes no sense. Why should political ideology affect humour? Why should it be less funny to make comedy on the basis of right-wing conservative politics? Or could it be that this entire line of argument just a left-wing conspiracy?

Let’s not waste time discussing conspiracies. Instead, let us examine the facts and take a look at the hypothesis why right-wing social and economic conservatism would not be as compatible with humour as its political counterpart.

1. Subversiveness
Comedy is inherently subversive. It is often used to poke fun at reality. Social conservatives tend to come out in favour of the social and economic establishment in society, and are often keen to maintain the socio-economic status quo. The anti-elitist character of comedy does not tend to favour conservatives.

2. Progressivism
Comedy is anti tradition. It points out ways things in need of change. It has, to put a finer point on it, the character of progressivism. It tends to attack those who have the power now, and argues the need to change. In this case, the anti-traditional character of comedy does tend to favour conservatives.

3. Absence of Empathy
It might well be argued that comedy, like journalism, is best when it comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. It is certainly partly built on empathy – a quality which is inherently more prevalent on the political left.

4. No Self Deprecation
Comedy is often a coping mechanism for adverse situations. The conservative social and economic elite often stands (or aspires to stand) in contrast to the depressed and poor end of society. As opposed to the socio-economic elite, the downtrodden masses tend to be more prone to self deprecation. On top of that, one of the most well understood characteristics of comedy is that it will always be funnier to poke fun of the ones with power than the ones without.

5. Fear
It could be argued that a great deal of conservatism stems from a fear-based rationale about things. Authority tends to be more important to the political right. Think about the emphasis on family, social and religious authority: parents, police, preachers, the outright and unquestioned authority of these figures tends to be valued particularly in right-wing circles. These authorities need to be respected and sometimes even feared. It is hard to be funny and make sure that people remain afraid. However, in the words of Aasif Mandvi, it could also be that “liberals have a more liberal definition of what’s funny.”

6. Seriousness
Conservatives, especially the religious right, tend to take life and death seriously, and thereby miss the entire point of what makes the circle of life and death comedic – the non-serious, the playful and the sexually deviant.

7. The Truth
Without reality there would be no comedy. If there is no reality to poke fun at, comedy becomes a vacuum. In the end therefore, it might well be that the political right is not funny simply because, in the words of Stephen Colbert, “reality has a well-known liberal bias.”

Conclusion
In conclusion, conservatism seeks to preserve power, social class, and tradition; it is inherently non-subversive, non-irreverent, and therefore non-ironic. Humour comes at the expense of power’s sway, it undermines tradition, and revolts at the thought of conformity. Conservatism does the opposite. That’s why there is a strong argument that conservatives tend to be less funny; not because absurdity and hypocrisy – staples of political humour – are often said to be far more prevalent on the political right.

Fear And Prudence

“Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence; Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear.”

– William E. Gladstone