Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Smarter than a 10 year old?
Today's Western Mail carries news of research which suggests that children are more likely to vote for the Green Party or the Liberal Democrats in a general election as adults.
The study, by the University of Edinburgh and the UK Medical Research Council, indicates childhood intelligence is linked to voting preferences and political involvement in later life. Not only are those with higher childhood IQs more likely to vote Green or Lib Dem, they are also more likely to vote in general and get involved in politics.
I don't place much store on this sort of research as in my view it fails to take account of the environment that children grow up in. I have always been a nurture rather than a nature person when it comes to assessing people's potential. Otherwise what would be the point of society, education and Government? They are there to improve the quality of people's lives and offer them greater opportunity.
Thus when I was rung up and asked to comment I was keen to emphasise the psephological factors involved, namely falling turnouts and the breakdown in party loyalties. My argument was that younger generations are less allied to the rigid party loyalties of their parents and grandparents and were subsequently prepared to vote on the issues.
In these circumstances it is only natural that the Liberal Democrats and the Greens will do better amongst those in their thirties and younger because we have embraced policies that this group can relate to. Long may it continue.
The study, by the University of Edinburgh and the UK Medical Research Council, indicates childhood intelligence is linked to voting preferences and political involvement in later life. Not only are those with higher childhood IQs more likely to vote Green or Lib Dem, they are also more likely to vote in general and get involved in politics.
I don't place much store on this sort of research as in my view it fails to take account of the environment that children grow up in. I have always been a nurture rather than a nature person when it comes to assessing people's potential. Otherwise what would be the point of society, education and Government? They are there to improve the quality of people's lives and offer them greater opportunity.
Thus when I was rung up and asked to comment I was keen to emphasise the psephological factors involved, namely falling turnouts and the breakdown in party loyalties. My argument was that younger generations are less allied to the rigid party loyalties of their parents and grandparents and were subsequently prepared to vote on the issues.
In these circumstances it is only natural that the Liberal Democrats and the Greens will do better amongst those in their thirties and younger because we have embraced policies that this group can relate to. Long may it continue.
