Study Finds Liberal Viewpoints Predominant Among U.S. Law Professors
by Jim Brown
September 7, 2005
(AgapePress) - A new study on the campaign contributions of U.S. law professors reveals a large ideological imbalance at the country's elite law schools. The study, led by Northwestern University law professor John McGinnis, looked at the campaign support given by professors at the nation's top 21 law schools from 1991 to 2002. The investigation revealed that approximately 80 percent of the professors at those schools who made campaign contributions primarily supported Democrats, while 15 percent primarily supported Republicans.
Bruce Green, dean of Liberty University School of Law in Virginia, says most in the legal academy would readily acknowledge it is dominated by liberal viewpoints on both fiscal and social issues. However, he points out, many times those who lean to the Left or Right are unaware of their gradually acquired slant.
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Bruce Green |
"People generally don't know that they are developing a particular bias," Green says, "and this study purports to disclose, perhaps, particular biases -- that is, whether liberal or conservative. Often, people simply don't know that they hold a particular viewpoint because those viewpoints are caught more than they are taught." However, the Liberty Law School dean notes, a school with predominantly liberal law professors does not necessarily produce liberal students. In fact, he says, prior studies suggest that instructors' liberal viewpoints tend to lead to attitudes of wary disillusionment or doubt among law students.
"You will find that there is a very significant skepticism or cynicism that has been developing among law students -- and has been for quite some time," Green observes. "That may be attributed in part, if not in whole, to the approach that is being advanced by the law schools."
Many faith-based law schools have sprung up, Green contends, because conservatives have realized there is a dearth of law schools and law professors who teach from a balanced ideological perspective. Among those schools is the School of Law at Liberty University itself, which opened in the Fall of 2004.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
