Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin: rank from most liberal to most conservative

[Adam Griffin]

Taking into account a more abstract measurement of the cultural and ideological inclinations of the states over a period of decades to potentially more than a century ago, I would say that Wisconsin is the most liberal, Pennsylvania is the most conservative and Michigan is in the middle. However, it depends on how you measure the terms "conservative" and "liberal".

Wisconsin has often been referred to as the birthplace of progressive ideals due to its longstanding values (first in the nation to implement collective bargaining), while Pennsylvania has had more substantial roots in social conservatism dating back ages. Michigan likely had/still has the largest unionization rate of the three - helping to affect the culture and policies - but probably isn't that much different than PA in terms of social and community groupthink.