Are AS people more likely to be conservative?

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Some of the traits associated with high-functioning autism (rigid adherence to rules and rituals, and resistance to change) seem like they might be associated with conservatism, or at least authoritarianism.

I read an article the other day that fundamentalism may be linked with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (which overlaps with asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism in some areas).

I don't think it is possible to label people with AS as either being strictly liberal or conservative as it varies for all of us. I personally would identify as being a left leaning liberal. And I can see why many Autistic people would feel the same. When we think of being Left Leaning and liberal at least our views tend to think of caring for others for the less fortunate and being accepting of diversity. I feel as a result many autistic people might identify with the left as some struggle to be accepted into society and might have an idea for what it is like for others. Also we could also be liberal as we seek to live in a society more accepting of us.

I would say that we also might not be conservatives since although we like routine we don't exactly always listen to society's rules.

Last edited by Shahunshah on 02 Oct 2016, 6:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Yeah, it's not black and white. Ironically I used to slightly sympathize with fascist or authoritarian policies, though this was a lot more theoretical and mentally-masturbatory than practical.

Yea I think that when we imagine someone with AS' political views it might be helpful to think of personality as being less of a factor and rather the way society treats us as an indicator of who an autistic person would support. E.g. since Fascists have such oppressive policies and negative views to towards us autistic people it is unlikely we would support them even if we like rules.

Your making an assumption based on your own perceptions and views..

I am a liberal my self.

Well do you find that Asperger's in some way has dictated your political views maybe that is the question to ask yourself as I think it is one of the reason why Soulsparrer may have identified with Authoritarianism.

Maybe, but for the most part "A" I have done some extensive travailing so have had many experiences seeing the world (err USA), And "B" I am a news hound, I always keep up on world and national and local news, esp in the science communities, And "C" In my youth I done some extensive study in philosophy and religions (even though now I am an atheist), and I am also a bit of a historian. So I am quite aware.

So I guess you would attribute the reason for your political opinions as coming down to your knowledge/studies not your diagnosis.

Yes and No, No because I do seem to see the world differently then others.

For me, it seems the world is living in their own gilded cages they created for them selves.

"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains."

I think my Autism has been a factor in my political beliefs but not in a way in which my personality dictates which party I would vote for. More or less I guess in a way in which I would lean towards voting for a party that would appear to be favorable to people like me.

I think other cultural factors play a lot bigger role, there is as much diversity in thought with people on the spectrum as there is off it I think. I'm sure it has influenced my beliefs as everybody's life experience does but I don't think it makes you more likely to be liberal or conservative either way.

I would say that a childhood spent always being the weird kid absolutely influenced my eventual rejection of any kind of authoritarianism. I'm not like anybody else; so long as I'm not bothering anybody else, on what moral grounds does anybody claim the right to boss me around? Maybe if I'd ever felt like one of the gang I'd be more willing to accept arbitrary authority.

Today the political "left" is just as authoritarian as the "right," if not more so. I am an individualist. A quick glance at PPR shows that not everybody reaches the same conclusions, though.

It was less of a "Nazi" style fascist leaning which discriminated against race and genetics, and more of a "benevolent dictatorship" that I fantasized about like the philosopher Plato's idea, closer to a "theocracy" maybe.

I realized it would never work since no person is infallible, it's only work in pure theory with a perfectly "wise and intelligent" ruler; probably relates to my elitist tendency to view the average Joe as kind of dumb and apathetic about life.

The closest real life example to imitating Plato's Theocracy I would have to say would be the Iranian Supreme leader, Ayatollah Khomeini. But the thing is the ideals of these so called Wise men may be different from what is right or what the country needs, this is the case with all societies. So the dictator may essentially end up causing great damage to the country and may end brutally persecuting groups of people.

Besides are Mr. Intelligent wise ruler and the Average Joe really that different. Both are profoundly human, limited by the social constructs of their society, desire status and are capable of doing both harm and good are they really that different?

If anything society lead by the Average Joe may even be better if the Average Joe is accepting of their fellow human being and has common sense.

We've polled PPR a few times over the years, it always comes out predominately liberal, with a smattering of libertarians and very few actual conservatives.

I'm an out and out libertarian socialist. So don't think all of us. Lol.