An article of faith among conservative critics of American universities has been that liberal professors politically indoctrinate their students. This conviction not only fueled the culture wars but has also led state lawmakers to consider requiring colleges to submit reports to the government detailing their progress in ensuring \u201cintellectual diversity,\u201d\u009d prompted universities to establish faculty positions devoted to conservatism and spurred the creation of a network of volunteer watchdogs to monitor \u201cpolitical correctness\u201d\u009d on campuses.<\/p>\n
Just a few weeks ago Michael Barone, a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, warned in The Washington Times against \u201cthe liberal thugocracy,\u201d\u009d arguing that today\u2019s liberals seem to be taking \u201cmarching orders\u201d\u009d from \u201ccollege and university campuses.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
But a handful of new studies have found such worries to be overwrought. Three sets of researchers recently concluded that professors have virtually no impact on the political views and ideology of their students.<\/p>\n