In an earlier post, I suggested that the political power of American ethnic groups might be determined, in part, by differences in extraversion (in addition to mean IQ and size). Steve Sailer makes the sensible point that some groups are simply not interested in politics.
The General Social Survey asked Americans their level of interest in politics. Answers ranged from "very interested" to "not interested." The table lists mean scores for each ethnic group.
Americans with Jewish or English backgrounds have the greatest interest, while Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans are bored by politics. This helps explains why Mex-Ams have less political power than one might expect. A person active in the Texas Democratic party told me once that Mex-Ams are not sleeping, they're dead.
Next, I'll use GSS data to create a profile of a politically interested person.
I think it goes hand in hand with the lack of trust in authority (something brought down from the old countries to the south).
ReplyDeleteI think it goes hand in hand with the lack of trust in authority (something brought down from the old countries to the south).
ReplyDeleteIndian-Americans are extremely well represented in the Democratic party, despite being a new immigrant group with lots of new citizens. I'm surprised they aren't higher on the chart.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it would increase the explanatory power if you looked just at men?
ReplyDeleteAfter all, men dominate politics - so the interest (or otherwise) of women is probably less salient.
"Indian-Americans are extremely well represented in the Democratic party, despite being a new immigrant group with lots of new citizens. I'm surprised they aren't higher on the chart."
ReplyDeleteI've actually heard they're trying to copy the Jews here... (I had an Indian friend who told me he likes Jews because they're greedy, scholarly, and hardworking...like his people...) Would make more sense to try to build a rival power base in the Republican party, I'd think...
"After all, men dominate politics - so the interest (or otherwise) of women is probably less salient."
Jewish women were largely responsible for the feminist movement (and they wonder why so many Jewish guys are chasing Chinese women...)