Articles tagged with Democracy
A study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine suggests that clinician encouragement can empower patients and their families to engage in civic activities. By promoting voter engagement, healthcare providers can contribute to building an inclusive democracy and promoting health equity.
Researchers from the University of Georgia Laboratory of Archaeology have discovered evidence of 'council houses' on the Cold Springs site, dating back to around 500 A.D. The findings indicate that democratic institutions associated with collective governance were present in the Americas for at least a millennium before European contac...
A recent study published by The BMJ found a significant widening gap in death rates between US counties that voted for Democratic and Republican candidates. Between 2001 and 2019, mortality rates decreased by 22% in Democratic counties but only 11% in Republican counties, with the gap increasing sixfold.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers found that people in Republican counties were more likely to die from COVID-19, with nearly 73 more deaths per 100,000 people compared to Democratic counties. The disparity was due to structural and policy differences in the more conservative counties.
A study by MIT researchers found that sectarian identity in the Muslim world is often intertwined with local politics and shaped by social interactions. Domestic economic and political factors influence variation in sectarianism more than transnational matters do.
A study published in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice found that mass shootings in the US account for 73% of all incidents in developed countries, resulting in 816 deaths. The research identified distinct characteristics of US mass shootings, including ideological motives and relationship problems.
A study by the University of Washington found that Seattle's democracy voucher program increased donations by 53% per race and boosted small donations by 270%. The program also led to an 86% increase in candidates and a decline in incumbent electoral success.
Researchers found that noisy jackdaws use a 'democratic' decision-making process to coordinate their daily takeoffs, relying on the intensity of calls to achieve consensus. The findings suggest that changes in calling intensity serve as a reliable source of information for synchronization.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that negative partisanship - the perception that Democrats or Republicans are driven by hatred for their opponents - is exaggerated. In fact, research found that people's primary motivations for choosing a party are more strongly tied to love for their own party.
A study from the University of California San Diego reveals that public primary schools were created to reinforce obedience and maintain social order. The research, spanning 40 countries, shows how education reforms were implemented after instances of social unrest, shaping the current controversy over teaching critical race theory.
A study found that liberals and conservatives read dominance signals differently in the faces of men and women, with conservative biases against women's faces. The researchers suggest that this perception may be rooted in evolutionary psychology and traditional social hierarchies.
A new research group aims to bridge historiographical gaps in the understanding of the Black Power movement's influence on America's democracy and values. The project will examine lesser-known groups and topics to illustrate the struggle between competing ideals of US democracy.
A recent study found that people with high levels of trust in government are more likely to have better workplace attitudes, adhere to COVID-19 guidelines and experience greater psychological well-being. The study suggests that communicating clearly and transparently can bolster trust at all levels.
The Academic Freedom Index 2022 reveals that academic freedom has decreased substantially in nineteen countries and territories, affecting nearly two in five people worldwide. This decline affects some of the world's most academically advanced nations, including Mexico, Poland, and the USA.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that increased awareness of discrimination against Black Americans during the BLM protests led to a significant shift in voter preferences towards Democrat Joe Biden. However, concerns about COVID-19 had little effect on vote choice.
A new study of Danish tweets about facemasks during the Covid-19 pandemic reveals that only a small percentage attempt to correct misinformation, instead focusing on ridicule and satire. The researchers conclude that people's primary goal is often to defend their social position among like-minded individuals.
A new analysis examines how Chile's feminist movement evolved in response to the country's enduring inequality, particularly gender inequality. The study highlights the movement's impact on mass protests and the writing of a new constitution, with key findings including increased feminist participation and intersectional perspectives.
Researchers found that people with strong convictions and those with mild views both change their opinions to align with a partner's opinion based on shared personal features. This led to a decline in polarization and an increase in support for redistributive policies.
A study by Washington University in St. Louis found that slant and consistency of messages in national television ads significantly impact online word-of-mouth chatter and candidate preference. Consistency with the primary message is crucial, even for more partisan messages, suggesting that campaign strategies should focus on building ...
A study published in Risk Analysis found that individuals who endorse libertarianism and anti-egalitarianism attitudes are more likely to disregard COVID-19 risks. This suggests that simply identifying as liberal or conservative may not capture the full scope of political ideology's impact on attitudes toward science issues.
Research led by Binghamton University faculty suggests that party polarization precedes voter polarization in countries outside the US. The study of 19 democracies from 1971 to 2019 found that more engaged and informed citizens follow parties' lead on political issues.
A computer model developed by Tufts University researchers mirrors the spread of misinformation in real life. The model takes into account pre-existing beliefs, which can influence how individuals accept new information, and provides insight into strategies to counter misinformation.
A new report by The Hastings Center suggests that releasing gene-edited species into the wild demands deep public engagement. The report proposes a path forward for inclusive, values-based decision-making through public deliberation.
A study by Dr. Felix Hagemeister found a significant link between right-wing populist party victories and an increase in far-right protests, particularly in areas with relatively liberal attitudes.
A team of political scientists argues that a self-enforcing democracy requires parties to refrain from exploiting electoral rules, citing fear of retaliation and partisan sorting. The study highlights the threat of gerrymandering and voter suppression to democratic representation.
A new model identifies a symptom of dangerously high levels of polarization: a group's inability to unite in the face of external threats. Researchers found that extreme polarization can lead to a tipping point, where even a shock fails to reverse the self-reinforcing dynamics of division.
A study found that Republicans who consumed and trusted Fox News less had more faith in the electoral process, while Democrats grew more confident as evidence of Biden's win accumulated. Cognitive dissonance theory explains how Fox News rationalized the outcome for Republicans, leading to decreased confidence in vote legitimacy.
New Cornell University research suggests that social connections can distort voting behavior, favoring minority candidates. The study found that complacency and dejectedness – conditions caused by social connections – can skew election outcomes.
A new paper cautions that slow economic growth may bring challenges, particularly in multicultural democracies like the US, affecting social solidarity, opportunity, inequality, and trust in government. The authors propose a 'guided civic revival' to address these challenges by strengthening democratic institutions, increasing social i...
Researchers find that right-wing parties in Brazil successfully employ descriptive representation to connect with poor voters, nominating less educated candidates. However, they also face challenges due to the unavailability of less educated candidates and potential voter backlash against less capable politicians.
A new study suggests that larger conservation areas are ineffective in protecting threatened species in central Africa, citing a lack of funding and resource management issues. The research found that broader conservation efforts often led to decreased populations due to the lands being too large to manage effectively.
During the 2020 US presidential election, researchers collected data on over 1 million online political ads. The study found that these ads often used manipulative tactics to collect personal information, including fake polls and click-bait headlines. More than 56,000 of these ads were found on conservative-leaning websites.
A study found that only a third of public health policies had been fully implemented globally by 2020, with low-income countries and those with high corporate influence showing slow progress. The researchers suggest that corporate influence cancelled out the positive relationship between democracy and implementation, highlighting the n...
A study by Binghamton University researchers found that Democrat-led states had stricter public health measures, corresponding to a 7-8% lower virus spread rate. This reinforces previous studies on the politicization of COVID-19 policy and its impact on health outcomes.
A new study models election dynamics using physics, accounting for conformist, contrarian, and inflexible voters. The model finds that short-term campaigns are effective in electorates with only conformist agents, while long-term campaigns are more effective in electorates with strong local dominance.
Ancient Italian writings suggest that Genoese sailors were aware of North America 150 years before Columbus' famous voyage. The discovery, made by Professor Paolo Chiesa, refers to an area known as 'Markland'/ 'Marckalada', mentioned in Icelandic sources and identified as part of the Atlantic coast of North America.
A study found that deforestation increases in election years, cancelling out conservation efforts and gains. The phenomenon affects regions with strict environmental regulation, highlighting the need for addressing opportunistic behaviors in natural resource management.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that fact-checking significantly reduces belief in misinformation globally. Fact-checking leaves a more enduring mental imprint than false claims, increasing accurate beliefs regardless of political affiliation.
A new study published in American Political Science Review finds that those prone to hostility in offline discussions are also hostile online. The researchers suggest that increasing the visibility of aggressive behavior online can exacerbate online hostility, rather than removing it through education or moderation.
A new study by UC San Diego researchers finds that moving local elections to on-cycle races increases voter turnout and makes the electorate more representative of the population, particularly in terms of race, age, class, and partisanship. The study analyzed California elections over an eight-year period and found significant effects ...
A new study reveals a deepening geographical fracture in European societies, with rural areas showing lower trust in politics but higher voting rates. The research suggests that mainstream politicians must address feelings of disconnection from politics and provide economic opportunities to re-engage residents of small towns and villages.
Researchers compared Fox News and MSNBC using natural language analysis, finding distinct linguistic styles in the two networks. The study analyzed over 283 million words in 52,000 transcripts, highlighting differences in pronoun use, analytic content, and noun use.
A recent study modelled social, economic, and personal factors influencing voters and parties to identify four key levers that tip the balance towards political extremes. Social contagion and macro-economic factors such as employment and economic growth play a significant role in driving polarization.
The study found that democratic countries increased government health spending by $275 per person between 1990 and 2019, while autocratic countries saw only a $115 increase. Democracies are also more likely to maintain universal health coverage even during economic recessions.
A study by the University of Gothenburg and Stockholm University found that approximately half of the world's countries declared some form of state of emergency during the first wave of COVID-19. The areas with the most states of emergency were Latin America, Southern Europe, and parts of Africa.
A new article analyzes Chile's transition from dictatorship to democracy between 1990 and 2019, highlighting the role of social movements in expanding democracy. The authors argue that Chile's political system became illegitimate, providing space for various social movements, including feminist, student, and indigenous rights movements.
A study published in Violence Against Women found that political biases strongly influence attitudes towards sexual assault. Both Republicans and Democrats tend to blame victims more when strongly identifying with their party affiliation. The researchers also discovered that partisan identity often supersedes gender in shaping these at...
The symposium aims to discuss associated risks, policy options, and trends from a scientific point of view. Key experts from Germany, Israel, and the US will share their insights on fake news, hate speech, and conspiracy theories' influence on democratic participation.
A study by Brown University found that school boards can increase civic engagement and public trust by incorporating two-way conversations with citizens. This approach, particularly among people of color and low-income households, can lead to increased attendance at meetings and a more inclusive representation of constituents.
A study examining nuclear waste reporting in Finland's Helsingin Sanomat and France's Le Monde found distinct cultural, political, and media traditions influencing their approaches. Helsingin Sanomat tends to reproduce government framings, while Le Monde prioritizes independent criticism.
Scientists observe bonobos adopting infants born outside their social group, revealing strong parental instincts and emotional connection. The discovery sheds light on why humans adopt children without prior connections.
Researchers found that Center-right MEPs became less cohesive in voting for resolutions protecting EU fundamental values between 2009 and 2019. The analysis shows a sharp increase in the tendency of EPP MEPs to support these resolutions over time, but during 2011-2019, they had below-average cohesion compared to others.
Researchers found that women's likelihood of winning a party leadership contest in primaries is significantly lower than males, even after controlling for other factors. The study suggests that the system prioritizes 'inclusion' over 'representation', disadvantageing women.
Bright Line Watch finds strong bipartisan support for a new COVID-19 relief package, with Republican voters favoring a $500 billion pandemic appropriation over opposition by 11 points. However, partisan divides remain on the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results and former President Donald Trump's second impeachment.
The article suggests that disagreements over scientific facts reflect deeper social value differences. Science can become suspect when it neglects competing values, leading to eroded public trust.
Members from underrepresented groups in German Bundestag are more active in legislative process but tend to move on after few years due to career-related incentives. They often focus on group interests initially, then shift to broader topics for greater power and appeal.
A study of 30 pre-modern societies found that societies with broad, equitable tax systems and functioning bureaucracies were more likely to have open political institutions and prioritize public well-being. This challenges the notion that democracy is a modern Western phenomenon.
A new study combines complexity science and social risk management to understand the impact of globalization, digitalization, and sustainabilization on societal coherence. The research finds that rapid shifts in public opinion and the emergence of populist movements can pose a threat to diversity and cohesion.
A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that people are more successful at identifying language associated with Republican speech than Democratic speech patterns. The study used machine learning to scan the Congressional Record and presidential debate corpora to isolate linguistic variation between the two parties.
A study published in PLOS ONE finds that the tech elite hold a unique set of views, prioritizing meritocracy and progress over traditional notions of democracy. Their philanthropic statements often emphasize education, work, and social impact.