Harvard: Fourth of July parades turn kids into Republicans?

God, guns and country embody Republicans on the fourth of July

There’s no question that the Righties are all about God, guns, and fierce nationalism, especially on the fourth of July. Their fiery rhetoric and often repeated historical inaccuracies as uttered by Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann, are part of the American landscape. As a result it comes as no surprise that a recent study showed that children can often be influenced to share Republican ideals by the pomp and circumstance that accompanies a good old Independence Day parade.

While I hate comparisons to the National Socialists of Hitler’s Germany, the fact is that the youth of the Third Reich were influenced by the pageantry of the Nazi’s propaganda machine:

History shows us that pomp and circumstance count for something, and our Independence Day parades often show the power and might of the United States, never failing to instill a spirit of pride in all who attend, especially the young. It seems that no less than Harvard University, as reported by U.S. News, has discovered just how much influence patriotic flag waving may have on America’s youth:

Democratic political candidates can skip this weekend’s July 4th parades. A new Harvard University study finds that July 4th parades energize only Republicans, turn kids into Republicans, and help to boost the GOP turnout of adults on Election Day. “Fourth of July celebrations in the United States shape the nation’s political landscape by forming beliefs and increasing participation, primarily in favor of the Republican Party,” said the report from Harvard. “The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century. Survey evidence also confirms that Republicans consider themselves more patriotic than Democrats. According to this interpretation, there is a political congruence between the patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party. Fourth of July celebrations in Republican dominated counties may thus be more politically biased events that socialize children into Republicans,” write Harvard Kennedy School Assistant Professor David Yanagizawa-Drott and Bocconi University Assistant Professor Andreas Madestam. Their findings also suggest that Democrats gain nothing from July 4th parades, likely a shocking result for all the Democratic politicians who march in them. “There is no evidence of an increased likelihood of identifying as a Democrat, indicating that Fourth of July shifts preferences to the right rather than increasing political polarization,” the two wrote. The three key findings of those attending July 4th celebrations: When done before the age of 18, it increases the likelihood of a youth identifying as a Republican by at least 2 percent.

It raises the likelihood that parade watchers will vote for a Republican candidate by 4 percent.

It boosts the likelihood a reveler will vote by about 1 percent and increases the chances they’ll make a political contribution by 3 percent. What’s more, the impact isn’t fleeting. “Surprisingly, the estimates show that the impact on political preferences is permanent, with no evidence of the effects depreciating as individuals become older,”said the Harvard report. Finally, the report suggests that if people are looking for a super-patriotic July 4th, though should head to Republican towns. “Republican adults celebrate Fourth of July more intensively in the first place.”

Tell us what you think about the influences of Independence Day parades on our children.