This is an interesting question, because I find it surprising (given my former biases) how many intelligent people can espouse fairly conservative positions, even if they don't, necessarily, identify with the label (think how Kinder is a Libertarian despite supporting the militarisation of the police and opposing free trade (no, that's not a dig)).

I consider myself above-average, and I consider myself a Conservative as well as a conservative. I wouldn't want to presume that I'm among the most intelligent users, so I'll throw that out there and let you guys decide. If anybody wants to challenge my own categorisation as a "conservative", either, then I'm happy to welcome that.

Mr. P is a lapsed Tory, and I certainly think he's naturally conservative in a similar way to me, although I'd hesitate to call him ideologically conservative. Turkey is certainly one of the most intelligent, and from what I've seen he seems to be about as conservative as I am (again, feel free to dispute this).

There are three examples of, at least, moderately intelligent users who are all comparably conservative to varying degrees. Of course, we have intelligent users who're also dirty pinko liberal commies - like Icy, Commissar and Max.

So, let me round up with some questions:
- What do you think the distribution is of political/economic beliefs among the most intelligent users is?
- Do you believe the intelligent user's area of interest has a significant impact on their resultant beliefs?

(think how Kinder is a Libertarian despite supporting the militarisation of the police and opposing free trade (no, that's not a dig)).

Tell me what's so damn wrong with giving police body armor and rifles?

I oppose FTAs (free trade agreements)

Quote

(think how Kinder is a Libertarian despite supporting the militarisation of the police and opposing free trade (no, that's not a dig)).

Tell me what's so damn wrong with giving police body armor and rifles?

I oppose FTAs (free trade agreements)

Slow down, and apply cream to the sore area.

I made it explicitly clear that, even if I disagree with both of those opinions and find them incredibly vacuous, it wasn't in any way a criticism.

If, however, you'd like to argue that both of those opinions are commensurate with the Libertarian platform, then we have a discussion. If not, re-read what I actually said so you understand.

On the topic, I think it honestly comes down to the issue being discussed. Trying to lump issues that are extremely different (Foreign Policy, Economy, Social Issues, etc.) to gauge which side has the "most intelligent" users is impractical.

I suppose so, although I was trying to determine whether high intelligence + interest in a certain area like economics = conservative or liberal beliefs to a noticeable extent.

I'm not trying to be ham-fisted about it, or apply broad strokes and say fiscal conservatives are more intelligent than liberals, but I probably handled the OP clumsily.

>Liberal
>Conservative
>Intelligent

Choose one, and only one

>let me list the intelligent members of this forum
>not included

You're certainly one of the most intelligent, but I'm not sure how your legal expertise works into it >.>

I know you're quite clearly more socially liberal than I am, but I have no idea where your economic opinions lie (which I, admittedly, place a lot more emphasis on when considering somebody's "aggregate label".

Liberals seem to lack common sense usually.

am i of having teh intellects

I think the most intelligent people are somewhere in the middle.

Eghhhhh....

I hate shit like this.

Okay, it is really hard to define an individual overall as intelligent or not. You, OP, seem to be very well read and and smart on a lot of historical and political matters. Socially, you sound a bit retarded.
I'm quite smart when it comes to geography and paleontology, though I have the musical and artistic skill of Miley Cyrus with 50 grams of krokodil injected into her tongue.

Secondly, Conservative and Liberal 'ideals' cover a lot of controversies and are not always consistent among each ideology. For examples, wanting to allow Muslims to build mosques and express their faith alongside Christians could be considered liberal, even though wanting Christians to not pray or express their faith in public would be the same.
Likewise for conservatives; many claim to want the government to have little interference with peoples live as possible, while simultaneously the same or other conservatives would want the government to stop to people of the same gender from marrying.

No one is gonna be con or lib all the way through, and the very definition and issues considered left or right will vary greatly from location to location.

All I can really say is, I don't know. I don't know how to start to define who is and isn't smart here (except PSU, he really is pants on head retarded), and I don't wanna try and wade through this left and right stuff again.
For what its worth, I'm avarage left; I like welfare and free healthcare; without, half my family may not be alive today.