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Friday, November 17, 2006

Arthur C. Brooks, director of nonprofit studies for Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affair, points out in a new book that conservatives are more generous than liberals.

He says that
[f]or too long, liberals have been claiming they are the most virtuous members of American society. Although they usually give less to charity, they have nevertheless lambasted conservatives for their callousness in the face of social injustice. [Philanthropy Expert: Conservatives Are More Generous]
The article at Beliefnet tells us little of his data or analysis. He admits that the book itself leaves out some crucial qualifying information. According to the Beliefnet article
Brooks says he started the book as an academic treatise, then tightened the documentation and punched up the prose when his colleagues and editor convinced him it would sell better and generate more discussion if he did.

To make his point forcefully, Brooks admits he cut out a lot of qualifying information.
I haven't read the book but my first thought was that conservatives earn more than liberals generally.
Republicans are, on average, significantly better off financially than either Democrats or independents. About one-in-three Republicans (32%) in recent Pew surveys has an annual income above $75,000, compared with 22% of Democrats and 25% of independents. By the same token 60% of Republicans rate their personal financial situation as good or excellent, compared with only 40% of Democrats and 45% of independents.
[Pew Research Center: Pinched Pocketbooks]
No doubt if those who are disadvantaged would stop complaining and give more of themselves (money, time, blood donations), the world would be a better place.

Comments

Well, I think there are two points of interest at work here.

First, is that republicans tend to participate in an organized religion more than Democrats do. This naturally gives them far greater opportunity to give money to charitable causes.

Second, not all of this money which the republicans see themselves giving to charity actually goes to charity. A significant amount goes to building better churches as well as financing the pastor and all the materials and needs which he/she needs to keep the church running.

I wonder whether these points were taken into account or not.

Posted by jeff g at Friday, November 17, 2006 19:07:14

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