Political Crossfire Forums

I hope this doesn't sound stupid, but do you believe that there may be a genetic influence on politics?

I was recently talking to a group of hippie-ish vegetarian girls. We got to talking about the election and politics and unsurprisingly they were all liberal. So hippie vegetarians being liberal is not that interesting, but what I also noticed was that they have vegetarian teeth. Their canine teeth (fangs) are rounded out and not very good for tearing through meat. Their incisors and molars are kind of flat, and useful for chewing tomatoes.

The structure of their teeth in theory would influence their diet, but should influence their political leanings. However, from experience they're related. I'm not claiming that vegetarian teeth are the cause of liberalism, but since they're correlated, maybe there is an underlying genetic factor that cause both (?) What are your takes on this?

Well I think the teeth thing is a stretch, but I'm certain that your psychological disposition plays a role in your politics and I think that's genetic. Then again, I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Nature vs. Nurture?

This could be a long thread... Or not.

Vegetarian teeth? I really don't know too many humans that actual use canines for tearing into meat, we cook it to make it tender and most often cut it up into pieces before gnawing on it.

Anyway back on topic, I really think nurture vs nature plays more into political leaning, not that ones innate personality doesn't play into it somewhat.

By and large, vegitarianism/veganism is a culture. If one delves into this for genetic/dietary reasons, they either accept or reject the culture. I don't see any direct correlation between the act and the culture. Just because one is better suited to vegetables does not inherently mean one would then need to make all other people eat vegetables.

So basically, I am saying that veganism flows to liberalism primarily through pacifism and communism (the idea, not the political structure), which are justifications of why they need to make everyone else around them change.

My great uncle is in fact an MP and is also a bit of a lefty.

I've only met the guy a couple of times so it's not his influence. Although it's probably just coincidence.