NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, pretty much the only substantive content of this thread is in the title, but to expand on it a bit: do you think you can tell (within a reasonable margin of vagueness) what kind of politics someone subscribes to by their taste in music, art, theatre, literature, cinema, dance (and I'm willing to consider someone even having a taste in dance as indicative of political taste) and other artistic pursuits? Do you think you could pick out a good CD or book based on someone's latest election-related rant?

There seems to be some correspondence between conservatism in politics and conservatism in taste. Perhaps this stems from radical politics of many Modernists (I suspect it's far more deeply rooted, in fact; that's really just an example). As a generalisation, my friends who like abstract art, experimental theatre or rap music* tend to be less politically conservative. (* I'm assuming this preference doesn't have the racial undertones it might in the US.)

However, I wouldn't like to expand this to a particularly formal generalisation, so I'll leave it as an observation. Have you observed anything similar, or do you think the two are totally unrelated?

Well, pretty much the only substantive content of this thread is in the title, but to expand on it a bit: do you think you can tell (within a reasonable margin of vagueness) what kind of politics someone subscribes to by their taste in music, art, theatre, literature, cinema, dance (and I'm willing to consider someone even having a taste in dance as indicative of political taste) and other artistic pursuits? Do you think you could pick out a good CD or book based on someone's latest election-related rant?

There seems to be some correspondence between conservatism in politics and conservatism in taste. Perhaps this stems from radical politics of many Modernists (I suspect it's far more deeply rooted, in fact; that's really just an example). As a generalisation, my friends who like abstract art, experimental theatre or rap music* tend to be less politically conservative. (* I'm assuming this preference doesn't have the racial undertones it might in the US.)

However, I wouldn't like to expand this to a particularly formal generalisation, so I'll leave it as an observation. Have you observed anything similar, or do you think the two are totally unrelated?

I'm going to guess that they're unrelated.

i dont think that they are particularly related.

musical tastes are age related but within an age group i dont think that you can reliably predict who might listen to what based on politics.

Some things are safe to assume, though... it's unlikely that you are a fan of diabolical black metal if you're a Christian conservative.

Not... as such. I think there are some stereotypes about what a conservative would listen to (Country Western always pops into my mind), but given how often I've been jerked up short on that shows me how off base I am.

Well I think that if you're a junkie for Rage Against the Machine and Anti-Flag, you probably are not a Republican. Beyond that, not so much.

Well, I'm not sure if this means anything, but both Hitler and Stalin supressed any forms of abstract or experimental art in favor of more realistic and/or classical styles, as well as employing them for their propaganda.

Otherwise, I guess you could use aestethic tastes as a basis of understanding a politician. It's a form of psychological analysis of history, like they've done, again with Hitler and Stalin, by comparing their childhoods, where they both suffered abuse by parents and ridicule by the upper classes.

My guess is that political and aesthetic tastes are rooted deeply in the environment one developed in, so there would probably be a definitive correlation between where someone stands politically and what things they enjoy.

On the other hand it would be ludicrous to assert something like "all democrats prefer vegetarian dishes." (as a fair weather democrat, my favorite dish is steak tartare).

I think you're on to something, in a very general, vague, over-arching sort of way. I'm fairly somewhat conservative/libertarian-ish, and I tend to listen to country/western music, eat lots of meat, drink domestic beers, and think Larry The Cable Guy is endlessy hilarious. I have some friends who are more lefty/liberal-ish and they tend to like indie movies/music, be vegetarian(ish), drink wine and think Stephen Colbert is endlessly hilarious.

It's not a hard and fast rule, by any stretch of the imagination, but it might could be a general rule of thumb, for what it's worth.

Dictators always have really terrible taste in art and architecture.

yes, with culture and all your more likely to be exposed to one kind of stereotype thus you appreciation for those arts will grow

like if you listen to happy hardcore and also happen to drive an escort

Well I think that if you're a junkie for Rage Against the Machine and Anti-Flag, you probably are not a Republican. Beyond that, not so much.

well odds are you will be too young for politics with those bands but there is certainly a deficiency if not hostility in punk when it comes to capitalist bands (something which I feel the need to exploit for fun)

Well, I'm not sure if this means anything, but both Hitler and Stalin supressed any forms of abstract or experimental art in favor of more realistic and/or classical styles, as well as employing them for their propaganda.

it was old time idealism (hero people etc) that came into conflict with modern designs of what an ideal person is and the life itself

compare:

Spartan art (http://www.ancientsculpturegallery.com/images/024_side1.jpg)
Gothic art (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Ulm-Muenster-SchmerzensMann-061104.jpg)
surrealist art (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b9/MagrittePipe.jpg)

Yes.

Yes.

a fan of minimalist? :p

To an extent. It is evident that overtly politicised literature, art or music is unlikely to meet much affection amongst those whose political views differ and approach culture with any sophistication, however, for the less erudite, I see no reason why politically divergent beliefs should preclude a certain attraction.

a fan of minimalist? :p
Actually, I'd call myself a bit authoritarian (although heh, I guess that is a kind of minimalism, in that it removes the need for anything other than an executive and a judiciary), and should probably have made some 8000 word essay in BIG BLACK LETTERS about it :p

Actually, I'd call myself a bit authoritarian (although heh, I guess that is a kind of minimalism, in that it removes the need for anything other than an executive and a judiciary), and should probably have made some 8000 word essay in BIG BLACK LETTERS about it :p

so you have a mild interest in classical but can never get into it and have homosexual tendencies which you find hard to cover up;)

so you have a mild interest in classical but can never get into it and have homosexual tendencies which you find hard to cover up;)
Half right.

Well, pretty much the only substantive content of this thread is in the title, but to expand on it a bit: do you think you can tell (within a reasonable margin of vagueness) what kind of politics someone subscribes to by their taste in music, art, theatre, literature, cinema, dance (and I'm willing to consider someone even having a taste in dance as indicative of political taste) and other artistic pursuits? Do you think you could pick out a good CD or book based on someone's latest election-related rant?

There seems to be some correspondence between conservatism in politics and conservatism in taste. Perhaps this stems from radical politics of many Modernists (I suspect it's far more deeply rooted, in fact; that's really just an example). As a generalisation, my friends who like abstract art, experimental theatre or rap music* tend to be less politically conservative. (* I'm assuming this preference doesn't have the racial undertones it might in the US.)

However, I wouldn't like to expand this to a particularly formal generalisation, so I'll leave it as an observation. Have you observed anything similar, or do you think the two are totally unrelated?

I love britpop and sci-fi and im liberal, does that help your theory?

To see if I fit your twisted little theory...

I'm a Libertarian (As most of us know) and I like Sci-Fi and comedy movies. I also enjoy the history channel and G4. In Music I prefer old Heavy Metal(Black Sabbath) and Hard Rock (Queen, Led Zeppelin, Wolfmother). I am a hardcore gamer (Endangered species y'know) and could do without dance. I love J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as Richard Adams, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert A. Heinlein, and Frank Hebert (Although a few of the later Dune novels sucked). I believe the golden age of English Literature ended with the death of Robert A. Heinlein as modern literature is crap, as well as most modern music.

So, does this fit?

I suppose you could come up with a mild correlation between those segments of the arts which are traditionally very expensive (opera, ballet, symphony, gallery exhibits by legendary artists, et al.) and those with the money to patronize those arts regularly. By extension, you could then figure a mild (again, MILD) correlation between those with that kind of disposable income and political conservatism, especially fiscal conservatism (i.e. "old money", which tends to be very fiscally conservative).

These correlations would probably not be strong enough to prove much of anything beyond "the average season ticket holder to the symphony has money", or something fluffy like that. Correlation =/= causality, however, and I am proof. I was played all kinds of music, including symphonic music, ballets and the like, and despite having never been taken to any such event as a kid, I developed a taste for "refined" music and theater. The only time I ever went to such an event as a kid was when one of my other family members was in the cast or on the program. We were not wealthy, and were far from conservative by any political measure.

To see if I fit your twisted little theory...

I'm a Libertarian (As most of us know) and I like Sci-Fi and comedy movies. I also enjoy the history channel and G4. In Music I prefer old Heavy Metal(Black Sabbath) and Hard Rock (Queen, Led Zeppelin, Wolfmother). I am a hardcore gamer (Endangered species y'know) and could do without dance. I love J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as Richard Adams, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert A. Heinlein, and Frank Hebert (Although a few of the later Dune novels sucked). I believe the golden age of English Literature ended with the death of Robert A. Heinlein as modern literature is crap, as well as most modern music.

So, does this fit?

Frankly, I'd be surprised if you were anything BUT a Libertarian -- 'cept maybe an anarchist.

Frankly, I'd be surprised if you were anything BUT a Libertarian -- 'cept maybe an anarchist.

Darn. He might be on to something...

I don't think it's a strict link, but I think it's true to a degree that certain political ideologies tend to find expression in certain schools of art, architecture and music.

Authoritarian political ideologies tend to gel well with grand/monumental style in architecture with a cohesive and coherent approach and style. Egalitarian, grass roots movement tend to go for more open and chaotic designs, and often embrace contemporary or radical ideas in architecture.

In art and sculpture authoritarian ideologies tend to hark back to classical forms, and often favour larger public displays, such as wall murals and monumental sculpture, usually of the human form. Grass roots movements tend to favour working with unconventional or "homespun" materials, as opposed to traditional elements such as stone and bronze.

Of course there are exceptions to ever rule, but most people I know tend to fall itno this pattern.

As for myself I tend towards being slightly authoritarian on most issues and like ordered "clean" architecture (i.e. holding purely to one school of design, rather than being a hotch potch), traditional materials such as wood and stone. I tend to dislike highly abstract art, through I have exceptions in this area. I don't watch TV, and my music taste is inconsistent at the moment as I'm studying the history of Near Eastern music at the moment as part of a personal project.

Darn. He might be on something...

Fixed. :D

I think that it's an indirect link. Aesthetic tastes are influenced by tend to be influenced by worldview, along with, naturally, politics. As cultural artistic movements develop they become associated with certain politics, as well.

it's unlikely that you are a fan of diabolical black metal if you're a Christian conservative.

Well, if you really must know... I'm a Christian and a conservative, and I happen to like rock and metal music quite a bit. I tend to ignore the lyrics and focus on the actual music.

I always thought there was a very weak link between haircuts and political preference. the longer and more uncared your hair is the more likely your a lefty. If its plain and short your more right winged. If its got all types of dye running through and/or odd spikes you hate the party thats been in power

Some things are safe to assume, though... it's unlikely that you are a fan of diabolical black metal if you're a Christian conservative.This.

To see if I fit your twisted little theory...

I'm a Libertarian (As most of us know) and I like Sci-Fi and comedy movies. I also enjoy the history channel and G4. In Music I prefer old Heavy Metal(Black Sabbath) and Hard Rock (Queen, Led Zeppelin, Wolfmother). I am a hardcore gamer (Endangered species y'know) and could do without dance. I love J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as Richard Adams, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert A. Heinlein, and Frank Hebert (Although a few of the later Dune novels sucked). I believe the golden age of English Literature ended with the death of Robert A. Heinlein as modern literature is crap, as well as most modern music.

So, does this fit?
Conceited in general, which fits with most vaguely extremist political ideologies, from libertarianism to communism.

Also, lots of modern literature is excellent, and the fact that you put JRR Tolkien down as a great author means you get no say on literary matters to be quite honest.

I'm a Libertarian (As most of us know) and I like Sci-Fi and comedy movies. I also enjoy the history channel and G4. In Music I prefer old Heavy Metal(Black Sabbath) and Hard Rock (Queen, Led Zeppelin, Wolfmother). I am a hardcore gamer (Endangered species y'know) and could do without dance. I love J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as Richard Adams, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert A. Heinlein, and Frank Hebert (Although a few of the later Dune novels sucked). I believe the golden age of English Literature ended with the death of Robert A. Heinlein as modern literature is crap, as well as most modern music.

Except for the gaming (which, no offense, I always saw as a waste of time)I think we might have been separated at birth. If we are twins, though, are you Danny Devito, or am I?

...political TASTES, of course, are a matter of aesthetics (as any taste).
political opinions, otos, should be matter of reasonings and morality, but human being are quite complicated.

"aesthestics and ethics are the same thing" some austrian thinker used to say about 100 years ago, but I can't remember his name.

The stereotypes I go by happen to be:

Rap/hip-hop: Politically apathetic. With a few exceptions, I don't see anything in rap or hip-hop that calls for social change or political activism. At least in the US, mainstream hip hop seems to be more about glorifying materialism, selfishness, and what have you...when it does have politics, it's usually leftist.

Alternative rock: Liberal

Country/Western: Conservative

Metal: Can go either way. Black metal tends to be far right, while some traditional thrash is far left.

Classic rock: Can go either way, really.

Classical: Again, can go either way.

Punk: Left-wing (unless you're talking about blink182 which goes into politically apathetic :))

Pop: braindead.

To see if I fit your twisted little theory...

I'm a Libertarian (As most of us know) and I like Sci-Fi and comedy movies. I also enjoy the history channel and G4. In Music I prefer old Heavy Metal(Black Sabbath) and Hard Rock (Queen, Led Zeppelin, Wolfmother). I am a hardcore gamer (Endangered species y'know) and could do without dance. I love J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as Richard Adams, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert A. Heinlein, and Frank Hebert (Although a few of the later Dune novels sucked). I believe the golden age of English Literature ended with the death of Robert A. Heinlein as modern literature is crap, as well as most modern music.

So, does this fit?

I tend toward the conservative libertarian political sector, but I prefer bluegrass, ska, and classical music over 80's rock. I also listen to 90's alternative rock.

I like your list of fantasy/sci-fi authors, but you left out Christopher Paolini's books Eragon and Eldest, and the Stephen R. Lawhead retelling of the Arthur legend. I also like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries and G.A. Henty's historical fiction adventures. I also read a lot of non-fiction, primarily history, science, and political philosophy. Pat McManus is the best humorist on the bookstore shelves today.

I don't get dance, modern art, or modern orchestral compositions. Sorry. I like impressionism, but the abstract stuff seems over-hyped. That art 100 class was a case of "why is half of this stuff even called 'art'?" I think art is for conveying beauty, so creating dissonance just to make a statement isn't art. Still, make what you want and sell it if you can find a buyer. Just don't demand my tax dollars to subsidize something that can't be sold on the free market.

I like tangible objects. Tools, cooking utinsels, architecture, firearms, and technology that are created to serve a specific purpose. You can tell when form follows function. These things are often well made and artistically enhanced.