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This is fascinating. I agree that most national fraternities don't think of themselves as politically liberal or conservative, but some do lean to the right and some to the left in terms of their overall policies regarding expansion, promotion of the Fraternity 'identity' and support for and defense of their chapters.
I actually read other fratenities' magazines and follow their expansion policies (some people collect stamps...). None of the magazines are overtly political - I think everyone realizes that no one wants that. If an alumnus is elected to Congress, for instance, that fact is reported with pride, regardless of the political party. Brighblue, I don't know which fraternity is yours, but I imagine that the problem is with the magazine rather than the Fraternity in general. Several posters have suggested using Facebook and that's a great idea. In fact, YOU can start a Facebook page for your chapter alumni and spotlight the exceptional individuals you feel deserve recognitiion. It will be appreciated by all.
But getting back to tendencies...33Girl mentioned several fraternities and their 'leans'. She said: "Sigma Chis are moderate to liberal, Phi Sigma Kappas are mostly conservative, and the Crows are trending to the right of John Birch." I agree about Sigma Chi. I don't know much about Phi Sig or Crow. But based on my reading of the magazines and associated news articles, the expansion protocols and the general 'feel', this is what I see...
VERY right/conservative: DKE, Zeta Psi.
LEAN right: KA, Pike, Phi Kappa Psi, FIJI, maybe Sigma Nu.
MODERATE: Sigma Chi, *SAE, ATO, **Sig Ep, Pi Kappa Phi, Delta Tau Delta.
LEAN left: Phi Delt (alcohol and insurance policies), maybe Kappa Sigma.
LEAN further left: Lambda Chi Apha, Beta Theta Pi (I'm surprised, but Beta has definitely moved that way), TKE.
VERY left: Psi Upsilon, Alpha Delta Phi.
*SAE is interesting. Their management and magazine lean moderate/liberal, but the chapters definitely lean right.
**Sig Ep sends mixed messages. They operate on a solid buisiness model, but lately they're moving toward an esoteric 'community of scholars' chapter concept. Call it a work in progress.
No insult intended to anyone left off the list. I'm just not familiar with their publications and operation.
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