Sedona AZ (September 11, 2019) – “Liberal or Conservative…Is it Genetic?” is the topic of a special luncheon hosted by the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley on Friday, October 11, Noon-2PM, at Poco Diablo Resort, 1752 Hwy 179, Sedona, announced Kathy Kinsella, President. The featured speaker is John Alford, Ph.D., author of the book, “Predisposed: Liberals, Conservatives, and the Biology of Political Differences.” The luncheon cost is $25 and is open to the public.
According to Kinsella, “The League of Women Voters seeks to promote dialog about issues among all members of our community regardless of political party affiliation. The more we can talk to and understand each other, the more we can find common ground and move forward together.”
According to Alford, “Liberals and conservatives consistently differ in everything from occupational preferences to leisure pursuits to sensitivity to disgust, as well as personality traits, moral foundations, personal values, culinary choices, and preferences for music, art, cars, humor, poetry, fiction, and neatness. So what does this have to do with politics? Bedrock political orientations—our knee-jerk gut reactions—naturally mesh with a broader set of orientations, tastes, and preferences because they are all part of the same biologically rooted inner self.”
John R. Alford is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Rice University in Houston, Texas. His early published work was mostly in the area of elections and voting behavior with an emphasis on the US Congress, but his interests have always been eclectic, and he has published in areas as diverse as coal mine safety and pronatalist policies in Eastern Europe. Professor Alford’s current research focuses on the biology of political behavior, including neuroscience and genetics. This work has been supported by several grants from the National Science Foundation, and published in prominent journals including Science and the American Political Science Review, and has been featured in forums as diverse as The New York Times and Forbes, as well as Fresh Air and the Rush Limbaugh show.
Reservations are required. $25 includes lunch. RSVP before October 7 to Barbara Litrell, 649-0135 or blitrell@aol.com
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to public service in the field of government. It is a national organization — open to both men and women — whose purpose is to encourage political responsibility through informed and active participation in government. The League influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League never supports or opposes political parties or candidates for elective offices.