Engineers and Political Beliefs Across Sectors and Demographics

The political beliefs of engineers vary greatly depending on the sector and demographic factors. While some engineers lean conservative, others are liberal or even libertarian, particularly in the realm of software development.

The Diverse Landscape of Engineering Political Beliefs

Many engineers I know display a mix of political beliefs. They can be conservative in terms of finance, living within their means, and avoiding large debts. They often opt for midrange homes and reliable, well-made cars. However, socially, they tend towards liberalism or even embracing a midrange position between conservative and liberal.

Conservative Factors in Engineering

Conservative tendencies in engineering are often associated with financial prudence and respect for societal norms. Engineers are typically not strictly socially conservative, but they tend to be tolerant of different lifestyles and racially colorblind. Reliable and technically capable colleagues are accepted regardless of sex, race, or sexual orientation. Religion is not a frequent topic in engineering communities, and scientific skepticism is not tolerated when it comes to established sciences.

Liberal Factors in Engineering

Conservatism's broad label often masks specific nuances. The liberal trend among engineers is more pronounced in software engineering, where there's a strong inclination towards left-leaning ideologies. Notably, female engineers are generally more liberal than their male counterparts, reflecting a gender divide in political beliefs.

Industry-Specific Trends

Engineers in the manufacturing sector are more conservative compared to those in the computer/electronics/IT sector. Higher-level engineering positions tend to be more conservative, while lower-level positions may be more open or liberal. Differences in moral foundations are noted between industries and demographic attributes, underscoring the variability in political leanings within the engineering community.

Country-Specific Considerations

The political leanings of engineers can differ significantly based on the country. In the United States, for instance, people with college degrees, regardless of major, tend to be more liberal than the general population. This shift has been more pronounced in recent years, with non-college educated individuals moving to the right politically while higher-income, college-educated individuals trend left.

STEM Majors and Political Leanings

Historically, Engineering majors have been more conservative than other STEM fields, which in turn attract fewer conservatives than fields like Sociology. However, political realignment has dampened these historical trends. Among younger, upper-middle-class Americans, particularly in industries like Big Tech, there has been a strong tilt to the left.

Factors Influencing Political Beliefs

Much of the political alignment among engineers can be attributed to demographic factors, economic factors, and the specific industry sector. First-generation immigrants, particularly those in STEM fields, are less politically engaged in general. Additionally, the sectors in which engineers work influence their political beliefs, with manufacturing and lower-level positions being more conservative, and software and research-oriented roles being more liberal.

Political Issues and STEM Majors

STEM majors, including engineers, are more likely to trust scientific research. Issues like climate change and the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine are areas where liberal beliefs are common. However, it's important to note that there is nuance in political beliefs even within conservative leanings. Some conservatives do support scientific consensus on topics like global warming and vaccines.

The Role of Education Institutions

The political leanings of STEM majors can vary greatly depending on the institution. Some universities are so liberal that it can be challenging to find conservative students in any major. Conversely, in more conservative-leaning institutions, STEM majors may lean slightly more conservative to balance the higher concentration of liberal students in certain fields. Overall, STEM fields generally provide a more politically neutral environment compared to social sciences, where political ideologies are more likely to leak into the content.

Conclusion

While the political beliefs of engineers can vary widely based on personal experiences and demographic factors, it is clear that there are broader trends that influence these beliefs. Understanding the nuances of these trends can help individuals navigate the political landscape within the engineering community more effectively.