Articles tagged with Democracy
Goethe University has joined Bluesky as a central social media communications channel to promote university life, research, and career opportunities. The move aims to escape problematic communication practices on X (formerly Twitter), favoring fact-based cooperation and democratic discourse.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a social studies curriculum that taught fourth graders 'civic competencies,' including disciplinary thinking and argumentation skills. The results showed significant improvements in students' ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and consider multiple perspectives.
Researchers from University of Vaasa and Kent Business School explore how innovation can drive economic change and solve global problems. The book offers fresh perspectives on innovation policy, its current status, and future directions.
Researchers have identified a new variant, clade 1b, of the mpox virus that has become more infectious and is spreading rapidly across borders. The study found that this variant primarily spreads through heterosexual contact in densely populated areas, with an estimated fatality rate of 3.4%.
A new study finds that trust in representative institutions is declining worldwide, with stable or rising trust in non-representative institutions. This decline is associated with support for populist parties and makes it harder for governments to respond to crises.
The new book Not Your Parents' Politics reveals that young people are actively engaging in political discourse on social media with diverse forms of expression, including humor and personal experiences. These expressions shape youth political socialization and democratic participation.
A global survey of 13,500 people in six European countries and the USA reveals that a majority want harmful social media content restricted. The study highlights differences among countries, with some nations supporting stricter regulations than others.
The State of the Nation Project report reveals stark contrasts in the US's global standing, with strong economic performance but weaknesses in areas like mental health and civic engagement. The country excels in poverty reduction but struggles with income inequality, life satisfaction, and citizenship.
The University of Ottawa's AI + Society Initiative proposes a roadmap for protecting democracies in the age of AI, addressing challenges posed by fake news and deepfakes. Four priority actions aim to support institutions against AI interference on elections and democratic processes.
A study by the University of East Anglia found that generative AI tools like ChatGPT exhibit biases leaning towards left-wing political values. This can distort public discourse and exacerbate societal divides, highlighting the need for transparency and regulatory safeguards to ensure alignment with democratic values.
The 'equity by design' framework proposed by Daryl Lim aims to maximize AI benefits while minimizing harm, particularly for underrepresented individuals. The approach embeds equity principles throughout the AI lifecycle, addressing biases and increasing inequality.
A recent study found that 'reciprocal group reflection' - an intervention inspired by marriage counseling - helped reduce affective polarization among opposing political parties. Participants showed reduced signs of division and increased willingness to support depolarization efforts, even after six months.
PolitiFi, a new form of meme coin cryptocurrency inspired by internet culture and humour, was explicitly affiliated with political candidates in the 2024 US elections. The coins helped shape narratives, enhance visibility, and boost political engagement among voters in the cryptosphere.
A study by Technical University of Munich finds that digital violence discourages political participation, particularly among women, who experience sexualized online attacks. The survey shows that more than half of those affected modify their behavior, including giving up on politics entirely.
Goethe University Frankfurt and over 60 German institutions have withdrawn from X, citing the platform's disfavor towards democratic voices and manipulation of content for Elon Musk's worldview. The universities now prioritize fact-based knowledge and democratic values on alternative platforms.
New research from Lancaster University highlights the devastating impact of the UK's unprecedented use of citizenship stripping on British children trapped in dire camps in North-East Syria. The study calls for a children's right approach to repatriation decision-making to ensure safe return and family reunification.
The university will develop sensors to predict turbulent air flows using machine learning concepts inspired by insect wings. Meanwhile, Ignacio Jurado will study the role of loser consent in democratic stability across twenty democracies.
Recent studies suggest more direct political participation can revitalize democracy, provided innovative participatory formats are linked to representative institutions. Citizens' councils with random selection could work surprisingly well, achieving consensus on contentious issues.
The University of Rhode Island-based report card gives failing grades to over half the world's countries, with a median score of 52. Democratic countries tend to have better human rights records, but exceptions exist. The US scored a 62.5, ranking 66th, despite being a wealthy democratic country.
A new study explores the relationship between democratic attributes and greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the effectiveness of Direct Popular Voting in reducing emissions. Civil Society Participation is also found to have a significant impact, particularly in countries with higher GDP per capita. The research provides insights for...
The We-ID project aims to understand the conditions for resilient democratic communities and develop practical recommendations for local stakeholders. Researchers will analyze the effects of migration on host communities and explore strategies to utilize the potential of a diverse population.
A massive study of 25 video interventions found that correcting exaggerated perceptions about the other side is effective in reducing partisan animosity. The strategy was also successful in decreasing anti-democratic attitudes and support for violent behaviors, suggesting a common underlying factor between these issues.
Research from the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy warns of democratic backsliding globally. The US is not immune to such threats, with Americans worrying about election fraud. Scholars investigate how illiberal regimes use international organizations to erode democracy.
Researchers found that Democrats and Republicans generally agree on what to censor when it comes to hate speech, with both parties prioritizing similar targets and severity levels. The study's findings suggest that social media companies can find consensus policies that get broad support, even in a highly polarized era.
A new study surveyed over 6000 people from six countries, finding a global consensus on the definition of democracy. Competitive elections and civil liberties are consistently prioritized as key components of democracy, making it more likely for citizens to identify undemocratic behavior.
A new study by MIT researchers found that debunking election misinformation is not always effective, but can be successful if people are less certain of their beliefs and believe the authority is unbiased or motivated by accuracy. The model analyzed over 200 scenarios and identified factors that make debunking efforts more successful.
A new Multi-task Learning (MTL) model detects 85% of abusive posts originating from right-leaning individuals on social media platforms.
A new study reveals that Brazil's democracy has been weakened by authoritarian populism, which has undermined welfare systems and human rights protections. This has created an exclusionary view of citizenship and intensified social conflicts, posing a threat to the country's democratic future.
A new study by the University of Exeter finds that undecided voters are 10 points less likely to vote than those with a clear preference. The study suggests that voter turnout improves when people have a partisan identity and pay greater attention to politics.
A new study shows participating in a citizens' panel can produce new policy ideas about school inclusion for young people with special educational needs/disabilities. The project also demonstrates how public dialogue processes can be modified to ensure young people at risk of marginalization fully participate.
A recent study by an international team has established a link between academic freedom and innovative output for the first time. The researchers found that countries with higher levels of academic freedom tend to have more patent applications and citations, indicating a positive correlation between academic freedom and innovation. Con...
A recent study published in PNAS Nexus found that correcting misperceptions about partisan opponents has no impact on reducing political polarization. Hostile attitudes were relatively stable, while opinions on the out-party's support for undemocratic practices varied significantly.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine led to increased support for democracy, income redistribution, and the European Union among Europeans. Attitudes towards authoritarianism and anti-immigration views decreased as a result.
A Rutgers University study suggests that hospitals can play a crucial role in strengthening political inclusion by aiding patients in voter registration. The study found that voters contacted in healthcare settings tend to be more racially and ethnically diverse, and younger, than those reached through traditional registration efforts.
A recent study by the Universities of Bath and Essex reveals that a vast majority of American voters share fundamental values, with only 5% of extreme voters holding differing views. The researchers suggest that highlighting similarities between Republicans and Democrats can increase hope about the future and inspire trust.
A new study reveals significant discrepancies in the effectiveness of political ads on Facebook and Instagram, favoring more extremist groups. Over 70% of parties used user profiling in their ads, and the far-right AfD proved to be the most effective, with ads almost six times more efficient than competitors.
A Japanese online survey experiment examines how public confidence in the military is affected by civilian control during an armed conflict. Participants showed significant loss of trust in the military when it deviated from civilian control, but not significantly when the legislature was involved.
A new index reveals that election administration performance varies widely among counties, with lower-performing areas often having greater numbers of low-income people and racial minorities. The study found that urban areas tended to rank lowest on the index, while more affluent counties performed better.
A study by Technical University of Munich found that Russian social media campaigns had a limited impact on the European public, with most people believing the disinformation being spread. The decisive factor in efficacy was whether a person is fundamentally receptive to conspiracy narratives.
A new study analyzing seven million parliamentary speeches reveals that high temperatures lead to a significant reduction in politicians' language complexity. The researchers found that the impact of heat on cognitive abilities has real and immediate consequences for politicians.
A recent study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people are more likely to support a politician who denies wrongdoing, especially if they share the same party affiliation. The research suggests that partisans tend to have different standards for different politicians, with those from their own party bei...
A recent study found that Republican men's environmental support varies greatly depending on the party affiliation of the proposal's sponsors. While Democratic support for environmental legislation remains consistent across parties, Republican men's support drops significantly when a bill is sponsored by Senate Democrats.
The study expands the Correlates of War Project's Militarized Interstate Dispute Data, adding new data spanning 2014-2024 and launching MID Live, an early detection mechanism for interstate hostilities. This helps inform security policies and strategies by analyzing evolving patterns of conflict and competition between states.
A study by MIT researchers found that the general public and policymakers take social media posts from world leaders just as seriously as traditional government statements. The research surveyed over 977 people about crisis signals in international relations, including tweets and official press releases. The results suggest that people...
New research from the University of Notre Dame reveals that protest movements against political parties can inadvertently empower politicians who use them to disrupt the status quo. The study analyzed 12 case studies across Europe, Asia, and North and South America between 2008 and 2016, finding varying outcomes including factional cha...
A new UCLA study led by Daniel Thompson found that COVID-related private funding, including 'Zuckerbucks,' had no substantial effect on the 2020 presidential election outcome. Democratic counties were more likely to apply for grants, but their impact on turnout was minimal.
A new study by University of Florida researchers finds that U.S. voters are more likely to support granting noncitizens the right to vote locally if it benefits their own party. The findings challenge prevailing assumptions about partisan motivations behind voting rights debates.
Research suggests that presenting a balanced and pragmatic approach can foster respect and increase willingness to engage in discussions with those holding opposing views. By focusing on practical solutions and showing concern for both sides' interests, individuals can break down polarized debates and build bridges.
A new study from Johns Hopkins University reveals that chatbots can exacerbate polarization by sharing limited information and reinforcing user ideologies, leading to stronger reactions to opposing views.
Research from Binghamton University reveals that worker rights, including forming trade unions and bargaining collectively, are the most vulnerable human rights. The study finds that economic globalization has led to increased competition between governments and corporations, resulting in reduced labor protections in many countries.
A University of Kansas scholar argues that democratic values have been transgressed in recent years, and proposes seven accountability standards to prevent further erosion. The standards focus on authority, rights, tolerance, truth claims, and professional deference.
A recent Tepper School study found that both Republican and Democratic voters provide explicit moral justification for factually inaccurate statements from their preferred politicians. This challenge the notion of partisan voters being solely influenced by laziness or bias, instead revealing a preference for 'fact-flouting' as an effec...
A new study shows that firms in the US respond differently to political parties in charge, even if policies don't change. Firms located in Republican-governed states spend more on water pollution control than those in Democratic states.
Experts say the dominant literature on political polarization is inadequate for Latin America, citing a lack of evidence linking increased social inequality to polarized politics. Instead, research suggests that other factors, such as changes in political behavior and institutional instability, may be driving the crisis.
FAPESP aims to create new opportunities for scientific and technological cooperation between researchers from Brazil and the US Midwest, focusing on areas such as health, sustainability, and climate change. The initiative also promotes transdisciplinary research collaborations to address global challenges.
Research found female Democrats and non-white male Democrats have a fundraising advantage when running against white male Republicans. Democratic donors give more when their party nominates a white female or non-white male candidate against a white male Democrat.
Researchers from 34 countries collaborate on DepolarisingEU project, developing interventions to mitigate undemocratic partisanship. The initiative aims to promote pluralism, civil discourse, and media literacy to counter radical polarization.
Researchers at Lehigh University found that reading a personal history of an opposing party member can significantly reduce animosity towards members of the opposing party. The study tested interventions with both Democrats and Republicans, finding that historicist narratives can lead to increased compassion and reduced moral emotions.
A recent study found a significant association between COVID-19 vaccine adverse events and political party affiliation. The more Republican states were, the higher the reported adverse events among vaccine recipients and clinicians.
A collection of essays from leading scholars explores the vulnerabilities in the US democratic system and proposes practical steps to strengthen and safeguard it. The authors examine the rise of fascist politics, divisive rhetoric, and social divisions that threaten American democracy.