Articles tagged with Democracy
A new study published in Electoral Studies found that voting advice applications have short-term effects on voter attitudes and choices in competitive authoritarian regimes. However, these effects are relatively small and dissipate within two months, limiting their practical value in such contexts.
Researchers found that increased polarization in Congress leads to longer periods of stasis and fewer bills passed, but the ones that do pass are larger and more impactful. This dynamics has become exaggerated, making it harder to change the status quo, resulting in bigger changes when they occur.
New research from Aalto University reveals how disinformation and conspiracy theories persist despite external threats, bridging partisan divides only when shared democratic norms are condemned. The study found that social bubbles built on disinformation can be difficult to break, even in the face of dramatic events.
Non-sectarian political parties promote moderation and cooperation between single-issue parties in divided societies. They help represent voter concerns by focusing on key issues that affect diverse groups.
A study by University of Illinois professor Emily Van Duyn found that news media consumption can trigger conflicts in couples with differing political views. Couples often struggle to decide which media to follow, leading to disagreements over news sources and content. This conflict can also affect the relationship, causing individuals...
A new study on the role of polls in South Korea highlights the limitations of polling in a democratic society. The research finds that technology, methodology, intentions, and reporting can affect poll results, leading to a social construction of public opinion influenced by pollsters and media.
A new study reveals that international recognition played a crucial role in shaping Libya's conflict, with contact and support from other countries affecting political actors' identity, resources, and legitimacy. The study argues that non-recognition can create change and is geopolitically inevitable.
Research from the University of Bath found that cognitive abilities such as memory and verbal fluency were correlated with voting decisions. The study suggests that low cognitive ability makes people more susceptible to misinformation and disinformation, contributing to the Leave vote.
Research suggests that early women parliamentary candidates struggled to make distinct appeals as parties increasingly controlled campaigning. The study examines how mass observation surveys and election addresses reveal the challenges faced by female politicians during the early decades of mass democracy.
A new report maps civic opportunity across the US, finding patterns of inequality tied to race, class, and education. Faith institutions and social organizations are top providers of civic opportunity, but may be overlooked by politics.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that exposure to norm-violating rhetoric from politicians like Donald Trump can reduce support for certain core democratic principles. The researchers found that Trump supporters who were shown his antidemocratic tweets indicated less support for partici...
A new UC Davis study investigates the complex mix of attitudes and concerns about the state of democracy in the US. While most respondents reject political violence altogether, some believe it is usually or always justified to advance political objectives.
A Dartmouth-led study found that tweets featuring K-pop group BTS generated 111 times more virality than similar tweets without the artist's name. This highlights the power of entertainment in driving public health messages and bridging cultural divides.
Research in Seattle's Democracy Vouchers program found a significant increase in voter turnout, with candidates relying more on small contributions. The study suggests that public financing programs can help address problems of low voter turnout and disproportionate influence of big donors.
A significant share of EU voters perceive the European Commission as having more power than it actually does, according to a new study. Citizens' misperceptions about EU institutions can be exploited by populist parties, researchers warn.
A new study from City, University of London, found that 'stretching arguments' by politicians can have a significantly negative effect on public opinion. Researchers discovered that making invalid claims can dilute over time, but the cumulative effects could undermine democracy and democratic procedures.
Researchers call for four major changes to implement and govern SDGs globally, strengthening commitments by high-income countries, adjusting goals to new challenges, making them legally binding, and embedding them in institutions. Stronger global oversight is needed to support these reforms.
A new study finds a strong association between financial insecurity and support for radical politicians in Europe. Researchers analyzed survey data from 10 countries and found that individuals experiencing precarity were more likely to hold a populist worldview and vote for populist parties.
Experts warn of increasingly sophisticated strategies used by kleptocrats to manage illicit finances, recast public images, and undermine liberal activism. The study identifies 'transnational uncivil societies' that use wealth managers, lawyers, and other enablers to maintain power and legitimacy.
A study examining Facebook users' news feeds found that reducing exposure to content from politically 'like-minded' sources had no measurable effect on political beliefs or attitudes during the 2020 US presidential election. The study also found that participants were exposed to more cross-cutting sources and less uncivil content after...
A study of 538,000 deaths in Florida and Ohio between March 2020 and December 2021 found significant excess mortality among Republican voters compared to Democratic voters. The disparity suggests differences in vaccination attitudes and uptake may have influenced pandemic severity and trajectory.
The Stateness Index, developed by Theresa Paola Stawski, assesses a country's functionality based on factors like law enforcement, administration, and provision of essential services. According to the index, Germany ranks as one of the world's best-performing states, with Singapore taking the top spot.
Researchers developed a validated test to measure misinformation susceptibility, finding younger adults and those spending more time online are worse at identifying false headlines. The study used AI-generated fake headlines and found that social media and political affiliation were significant factors in susceptibility.
A recent study published in the Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties found that crowded ballot options can lead to voter fatigue and decreased participation. The research analyzed data from over 60,000 elections in Brazil between 2000-2020, revealing a significant decline in voter turnout when faced with multiple candidates.
A recent study by Bocconi University found that corruption can have a long-lasting effect on trust in democratic institutions. First-time voters who experienced the Mani Pulite investigation in 1994 were more likely to vote for populist parties and express lower institutional trust even 20 years later. The study highlights the need to ...
A recent study found that a person's epistemic thinking style can be shaped by their social, political and economic environment during the first 25 years of life. The research suggests that those who experienced a transition to democracy in middle age tend to exhibit absolutist thinking, while younger generations with higher education ...
The article highlights the risks of AI misuse, including its impact on democracy, job loss, and social division. Experts warn that self-improving AGI poses an existential threat to humanity, and call for regulation to minimize harm and maximize benefits.
A new study led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher Kevin Smith explores the impact of polarized politics on mental and physical health. The research found that Americans' political anxiety increased before a major election, but decreased after, with specific groups experiencing lower levels of anxiety.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that societies with high levels of social inequality are more likely to have laws that discriminate against certain groups. Additionally, autocracies often institutionalize religion to legitimize power and resist democratization.
A new study highlights the importance of mutual trust between citizens and authorities in crisis situations. Data from the COVID-19 pandemic confirms that trust in fellow citizens is unlikely to reduce compliance with restrictions.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that lawmakers are only slightly more likely to respond to AI-generated messages than human-generated ones, highlighting the potential risks of emerging technologies on democratic representation. The research used a field experiment to investigate the impact of natural language mod...
Researchers developed a model to infer opinions from social networks and measure left-right political division. The model shed new light on how political beliefs are shaped, providing insights for policymakers and real-world debates.
A new study found that U.S. senators' tweets about greed perform better in terms of likes and retweets, particularly among Democrats who gain stronger traction for negative tweets about their opponents.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that offering tiny cash rewards for accuracy can increase people's ability to distinguish between misinformation and the truth. The study suggests that fake news thrives due to a motivational imbalance, where users have more incentive to get clicks than to spread accurate content.
A University of Copenhagen study examines how data is used in asylum decisions, revealing inconsistencies and discrepancies that can lead to applicants being deemed untrustworthy. The research highlights the opaque nature of the decision-making process and the need for critical evaluation of new data types.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that voter ID requirements motivate supporters of both parties equally to comply and participate. The research suggests that these laws have a countermobilization effect, diminishing their anticipated impact on election results. Instead, lawmakers should con...
A large study reveals that access to modern military technology substantially reduces the probability of democratisation of authoritarian regimes. The spread of ground-breaking 29 military technologies in all independent states from 1820-2010 confirms connections between state's access to specific weapons, economy, and form of government.
An online randomized trial found that exposure to civic education via social media increased support for democracy, political efficacy, and voter registration among young adults in Tunisia. The study suggests that online civic education can be an effective tool in strengthening democratic values and rejecting authoritarian rule.
West Virginia University professors Dana Coester and Joel Beeson are addressing election integrity in Appalachia through a series of nonpartisan workshops, presentations, and screenings. They aim to foster community resilience against disinformation and manipulation, promoting civic engagement among young people.
Research by Nicole Bolleyer and colleagues found that parties formed by existing parliamentarians are more likely to dissolve. Parties with social organization roots are less likely to dissolve early or late in their life cycle. The study analyzed data on 204 political parties in 22 democracies between 1968 and 2016.
A study found that residents living near occupied areas during the Occupy Central Movement in Hong Kong became more liberal and supportive of pro-democracy camps, with the phenomenon lasting long after the protest. The researchers attribute this to the 'on-site' effect, which increases sympathy for protesters.
A new study found that foreign interference in American elections can reduce faith abroad in the United States as a trustworthy ally. Japanese citizens' trust in the US was higher when informed that US democracy is functioning versus not. The findings highlight the international security implications of successful electoral interference.
The study identifies four key drivers of political violence in the United States: toxic polarization, identity-based ideologies, erosion of democratic norms, and disinformation. These drivers contribute to increased acceptance of political violence and undermine democratic institutions.
Researchers found that companies engaging in corporate political advocacy experience lower brand attitudes and purchase intentions, particularly among consumers with low political efficacy. These effects are driven by the lack of faith in political institutions among these consumers.
A global study published in Nature finds that the unvaccinated face significant prejudice in most countries, with many vaccinated people harboring discriminatory attitudes towards them. The study suggests that this prejudice could lead to severe consequences for society, including hindered vaccination uptake and increased mistrust.
The special issue explores key characteristics of ethical codes, their underlying values, and challenges in implementing them. Studies highlight common ethical values across cultures, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and care in early childhood education.
A study by UPV/EHU's Ekopol and Life Cycle Thinking groups found that an alternative community lifestyle can reduce energy consumption due to the significance of energy used in goods and services. The energy footprint per inhabitant of Errekaleor neighbourhood is 24% lower than that of ACBC.
A new study reveals that conservative Democrats are uniquely intolerant towards marginalized groups, while liberal Democrats are the most politically tolerant. Independents are also more tolerant than partisans. The research suggests that improving political tolerance is crucial for democracy.
A new study from Aarhus University finds that pandemic fatigue is a direct cause of political discontent, with citizens experiencing increased fatigue as restrictions tighten and loosen. The researchers suggest that authorities can mitigate fatigue by adopting flexible policies and communicating openly with the public.
An experimental study found that U.S. political partisanship strongly influences first impressions of strangers' faces, affecting their perceived likability and competence. Disclosure of partisan affiliation had a greater impact on impressions than non-disclosure.
A Simon Fraser University study found that Americans are more likely to share COVID-19 misinformation online compared to four other English-speaking countries. The polarized political landscape and populist attitudes in the US contributed to this phenomenon.
Carter School researchers Karina Korostelina and Susan Allen received $499,960 funding from the US Department of State for research on contact theory in democracy and governance. The grant will support their work until September 2025.
A systematic review of digital media's effects on democracy found both positive and negative impacts, depending on the political context. Digital media can increase political knowledge and diversity of news exposure, but also foster polarization and populism in established democracies.
A new study reveals significant gender bias in Reddit discussions about female politicians, with more frequent use of given names and language related to their body or family. This perpetuates stereotypes and can affect voter perception, incentivizing female politicians to conform to online expectations.
A study published in Nature Human Behavior finds that depolarization interventions reduce out-party animosity but do not affect anti-democratic attitudes. The researchers suggest focusing on promoting democracy's value itself rather than just reducing polarization.
A new study by Jean Lacroix found that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 halved instances of actual political violence and reduced the likelihood of new waves of violence. In counties covered by the act, citizens voted to voice their views, leading to a change in political strategies rather than policy changes.
A new report reveals that both Democrats and Republicans personally value core democratic principles, but severely underestimate opposing party members' support for those same characteristics. This biased underestimation leads to a willingness to subvert democratic principles, particularly among Republicans.
A study by the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and the Technical University of Dresden investigates why many people choose not to read their Stasi files. The researchers found that the majority of reasons for deliberate ignorance include concerns about social relationships, mistrust in information accuracy, and a desire to a...
The study analyzed 400 million voter records from 2014 and 2016 elections to find large and persistent gaps in voter turnout by race, age, and political affiliation. Minority citizens, young people, and Democrats are less likely to vote than whites, older citizens, and Republicans.
A recent study by Renmin University of China found that a good media reputation consistently reduces the risk of termination for administrative agencies. The research analyzed over 4.95 million articles published between 1949 and 2019 in the People's Daily, an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee.