Political leanings and TCK?
I don’t want to be controversial, but I was wondering if being TCK makes you more likely to lean to the left, politics-wise.
Maybe this has already been researched - I’m probably one of the few on this website who hasn’t read any of the TCK books - but from my own experience of other TCKs, this does seem the case. I mean I know that in every school, be it international or not, you’ll get the full spectrum of political beliefs but by and large, but I haven’t met too many right-thinking TCKs.
Is there something about living different cultures, being the ‘outsider’ (at least for some of the time for most of us), having to adapt that makes you more likely to sit towards the tree-hugging liberal end, and less likely to sympathise with conservative right-wing end? I don’t know! I’m sure many other things shape ones views to politics, but TCK-ing has got to play a pretty big role, I’d imagine.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:21 am
“People have a tendency to assume that “Left” is for young idealists, which “global citizens” might be seen to be. “Right” is interpreted to be, at best, for the wise.”
Again, it depends who you ask.
In inner-city East London, “right” makes you think of young British National Party supporters and “left” of ageing hippies and artists.
I suppose context is everything.
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February 11th, 2008 at 9:15 am
This is a very interesting thread, and I wouldn’t be put off by those who either refuse to discuss these issues because they might be offended, or because they hate politics in general.
In traveling around the world, one thing I have come to appreciate is the open exchange of ideas. In the US, there is so much pressure to conform, and it has become so taboo to discuss religion or politics for fear of offending someone, that it’s very difficult to actually communicate honestly and exchange ideas here anymore. And there is so much propaganda and disinformation that it’s difficult to understand the motivations of those on either side of the “left”/”right” spectrum.
It is very true that what is perceived as “left” or “right” varies from country to country. And I can also agree that we are rarely one way or another, but most of us are a blend - leaning one way on one issue, and leaning another way on others. I believe most people in the world want the same things - good jobs that provide not only a good living for our families, but provide a sense of meaning in our lives; the ability to raise our children and provide them with opportunities we may not have had ourselves; and the ability to feel some sense of security in a changing world.
How we see our options in reaching our goals may be what separates us or brings us together.
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February 11th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hi there!
Hmmm, intense thread! I would have to say those were some sound words from Mariedl and I would have to agree with her in large part as well as Jen-h.
I think that issues of ‘left’ and ‘right’ while still technically politically valid have become obfuscated and really don’t mean much of anything in most countries in the western part of the world.
My experience of living here in Italy is very similar to Mariabay’s in Brazil. The overwhelming sense of political corruption and malasie that this country is going through really sheds light in the fact that we need to go beyond the traditional metaphysical needs for left or right politics and really steer clear from any type of extremism that negates peoples rights or suffocates one in brainwashing propoganda. With that, I would add, that Italy is in DIRE need of an entirely new parliment and senate, a new politcal system and a total removal of all the old political vampires that are still sucking the life blood of its nation. It needs more civil heroes like Beppe Grillo as was mentioned in a lengthy New York Times article. Italy needs an Obama! That may be the fact why these 20th century political identities no longer apply to the needs of a country nor the people. And why a new form of political dialogue and governance is needed overall. Something that acts positively and pro-actively for the need of its own country and it’s rapport with other countries.
I grew up in a family that never had any real ’strong’ political leaning and really when we spoke about politics we always tended to start from the cultural-historical perspecitve of a nation or country. I would say my views, like many TCKs, are liberal without categorizing it as left or right.
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February 11th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Yeah. I too think that most people in the world want those very things you listed. I’m wary of generalising but I think that’s a fair statement to make.
I think how we relate to others, or how we relate our aspirations with the aspirations of the others around us, may lie behind our political choices.
I wish I was in an anthropological field just so I could actually follow this through. It’s just empty theorising for now.
Oh well. My two p.
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February 11th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
India’s the same. Lack of honesty is taken for granted. It’s hard to imagine how any new change may occur because everyone in the country (and that’s a LOT of people - one of its other problems) is saturated in the same, like you say, malaise. You start feeling it just at the airport and it stays with you until you leave. Really. Fresh blood/new starts don’t seem like they’re around the corner.
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February 11th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Also, what is considered left or right depends on the country. In Sweden, I was “moderate” (as conservative as Swedes get), but in the US Midwest, I’m a flaming liberal with all kinds of society-wrecking ideas. Same opinions, different reference society. I’m not really sure you can talk about left and right globally really well without a real big picture view, and I’m not sure I have one. I just know the countries that are my homes.
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February 11th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
You’re right.
A frame of reference is pretty crucial to the whole ‘left’ ‘right’ ‘moderate’ ‘extremist’ talk, even if we do limit those words to describing opinions only.
I think I’ve subconsciously been using my own frame of reference, a combo of all the societies I’ve lived in, which, obviously, isn’t fair.
Hmmm. Ok. Until I find a better way of talking about this - and I think it’s still worth exploring - I’ll just…shut up.
I think I have a TCK cousin who has decided to study anthropology. Will definitely put ideas in her head and see what comes of.
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February 11th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I have a TCK friend who’s studying anthropology… Let me know what ideas you put in her head, so I can try it too.
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February 11th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Uncle Dan,
I do agree with you on the “nationsate” point, however I think people often get bogged down in this and forget that there’s much more to “left” and “right” leanings than simply nationstate.
Starburst,
I would like to but can’t indulge you. All of those “tests” are based on preconceived ideals that assume that a person can’t be something other than “left” “right” or “centrist” leaning. The political spectrum is not as simple as that. These tests are formed asking questions which are blatant hallmarks of each side and from there generally take the “majority” of questions and state that you, or the person taking it, is “left” or “right” leaning.
Similarly, your example concerning inner-city East London is not counterintuitive to uncle dan’s statement. The term “young” and “old” are simply add ons which can be modified, yet the “left” and “right” analogy to idealism and pragmatism still stand (on the whole).
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February 12th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Let me first say that this is a very interesting thread and people are making great contributions to it.
I think the statement from mariedl is that it’s not possible to make sweeping statements about any group whether it’s political learnings, age groups or TCKs, etc…which is entirely correct because there will always be exceptions. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I myself won’t pursue this point further because I won’t join this discussion fully.
Starburst on the other hand is most likely aware of the above but made a few sweeping statements on purpose just to have a little bit of fun arguing about this topic.
So let’s just have fun without getting too heated up ok? :p We can get more heated up in our ‘whine’ threads where it doesn’t hurt anyone when we do that.
By all means state your views and state them with force, but don’t take anything too personally! (Not that anyone has been taking anything personally yet, but Ican see it getting personal if this keeps up.)
Remember the whole purpose of this thread is to have a little fun engaging in an intellectual discussion of all the things we disagree about in politcs - so let’s keep it that way - enjoyable!
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