[eugenekop]

The hippies in the 60s largely formed communities. They were not active politically, except in anti war protests. Yet it seems that they formed the beginning of the modern liberal left which is extremely politically active. Hippies were anti establishment, yet modern liberal leftists are in favor of big government that will manage everything possible, from environment, to political correctness, gender and minority relations, anti poverty programs, world charity organizations, and so forth. The very peaceful hippie communities of the 60s which were not interested in government intervention, are contradicated by the current trend of the liberal left. How do you explain this?

[Paradigm]

How do you explain this?

Historical ignorance on your part? Ever heard of the New Deal? The "big government" liberals in the Democratic party tend to trace their roots to that era. At the time the hippies came onto the scene, the Democrats in congress were to the left of today's Democrats on just about everything except foreign policy. What the New Left brought to the table was anti-war sentiment, environmentalism, multi-culturalism, and feminism. Your confusion is a result of confusing "anti-establishment" with "anti-government." The hippies were never anti-government, except insofar as many of them were disillusioned by the actions of the government in power. A large contingent of the New Left was socialist and even Trotskyist. So there's really nothing here to explain other than your misinformed view of the counterculture.

[eugenekop]

Was the new left connected to the hippie movement?

[Paradigm]

Was the new left connected to the hippie movement?

Yes. I thought from the thread title that you at least understood that much. But it seems you understand absolutely nothing of which you speak.

[Rei Murasame]

I agree with Paradigm, that's an astounding question that you've asked, Eugenekop.

Also, anti-establishment does not mean anti-government.

[Daktoria]

Historical ignorance on your part? Ever heard of the New Deal? The "big government" liberals in the Democratic party tend to trace their roots to that era. At the time the hippies came onto the scene, the Democrats in congress were to the left of today's Democrats on just about everything except foreign policy. What the New Left brought to the table was anti-war sentiment, environmentalism, multi-culturalism, and feminism. Your confusion is a result of confusing "anti-establishment" with "anti-government." The hippies were never anti-government, except insofar as many of them were disillusioned by the actions of the government in power. A large contingent of the New Left was socialist and even Trotskyist. So there's really nothing here to explain other than your misinformed view of the counterculture.

How about that drug war?

Hippies were split on public education too. Outside of biology, hippies were never emphatic advocates of STEM curriculum.

[eugenekop]

I agree with Paradigm, that's an astounding question that you've asked, Eugenekop.

What is astounding?
Perhaps you misunderstood me. I am surprised that hippies who were not very politically active, and were peaceful people, have created in later years a very oppressive big government with all kinds of laws, such as environmental regulation laws, anti-discrimination laws, affirmative action, special programs for promoting equality, donations to international funds, etc... The grown hippies have increased government tremendously. It is surprising that these communities of people who wanted peace and to be left alone, were so active in violently changing (through government) the way others live.

[Smilin' Dave]

What is astounding?
Perhaps you misunderstood me. I am surprised that hippies who were not very politically active, and were peaceful people, have created in later years a very oppressive big government with all kinds of laws, such as environmental regulation laws, anti-discrimination laws, affirmative action, special programs for promoting equality, donations to international funds, etc... The grown hippies have increased government tremendously. It is surprising that these communities of people who wanted peace and to be left alone, were so active in violently changing (through government) the way others live.

1. Have you demonstrated that the trend is directly related to former hippies. As Paradigm noted big government politics pre-dated hippies by a long shot, so you it is hardly the sole explanation.
2. Are grown hippies necessarily still 'hippies'? You really should demonstrate that their past has a strong impact of their present politics. Again, they might have picked this behaviour up from some place else.

[Donna]

Life cycle of a baby boomer:

-Sexually repressive upbringing in the 50s
-Disillusionment with the world after JFK's death
-1965-66: First acid wave, many hospitalized. Education crisis.
-After 1968: Maoism, heroin and sex
-1980-81: Reagan elected, self-imposed Thermidor
-The 80's: Capitalism, coke and sex
-The 90's: Pyrrhic victory: Clinton elected
-The 00's: Life savings blown on world travel
-Today: Retirement crisis; the Tea Party

Hope that explains it, eugenekop.