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Does Ideology Influence the Policy Preferences of Scientists?

Policy nisbetmc | July 21, 2009

As I noted last week, the Pew survey of scientists finds that more than 50% self-identify as liberals compared to just 20% of the public. Which then leads to the question: what role does ideology play in shaping scientists' policy preferences relative to science, especially in those areas outside of their specialty? Or on those issues where there are high levels of uncertainty about risks, benefits, and trade-offs? Heuristic decision-making is common in politics and policymaking, are scientists as a group any different? Put another way, in responding to the Pew findings, several commentators…