Turns Out Conservatives Are More Likely to Haggle Than Liberals, Study Finds

When it comes to negotiating for a better deal, your politics might be playing a bigger role than you think.

According to a new study from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business, conservatives are significantly more likely than liberals to push back on prices, especially when it comes to big-ticket items like houses or used cars.

The research suggests this difference isn’t just about personality—it's about deep-rooted values and worldviews. Conservatives, the study found, tend to view price negotiation as a normal and even expected part of transactions. Liberals, on the other hand, are more likely to avoid confrontation and accept asking prices as fair or fixed.

In controlled experiments, participants were placed in realistic buying scenarios and asked how likely they were to negotiate. Conservatives consistently initiated negotiation more often and were more comfortable challenging prices, while liberals showed more hesitation.

Why the gap? Researchers suggest it could stem from broader ideological differences. Conservatism is often linked to self-reliance, competitiveness, and skepticism toward institutions, which might translate into a tougher approach at the bargaining table. Liberalism, in contrast, tends to emphasize fairness, cooperation, and social harmony, which might make aggressive negotiation feel uncomfortable or even unethical.

The study doesn’t suggest one side is better—it simply shows that political orientation subtly shapes everyday behavior, even in places we wouldn’t expect.

So next time you’re buying a car or closing on a house, consider this: your political identity might be influencing how much you’re willing to push—and how much you’re willing to pay.

---