Articles tagged with Democracy
A Princeton University research team found that uninformed individuals can act as a counterbalance to minority groups, restoring majority rule. The study challenges the common notion that an outspoken minority can manipulate uncommitted voters.
Cities' grandiose Olympic Village projects often prioritize private sector interests over public good, leading to significant financial burdens on taxpayers. Sociologist Jay Scherer's research highlights the importance of democratic transparency in such partnerships, emphasizing the need for community benefits and fair risk distribution.
A University of Missouri study finds that digital media is segmenting people into polarized interest groups, leading to nastier politics. Researcher Ben Warner recommends a balanced approach to information seeking to restore civility to political discourse.
A new study analyzing over 3 million tweets, YouTube content, and blog posts finds that social media played a central role in the Arab Spring. Conversations about freedom and democracy were carried across international borders, inspiring stories of protest and organizing political action.
Research finds that active participation in civic groups and organizations is declining at a rate greater than the increase in checkbook memberships. This shift towards passive participation may be due to changes in community design, longer commutes, and increased television time, posing potential threats to democracy.
A new study suggests that changes in the labor market since the 1970s have led to more Republican and Democratic partisans, with fewer independents. The growth in partisanship is linked to people's current income and expectations of job security.
A Stanford University study found that Democratic and Independent voters support candidates who take a 'green' position on climate change, while Republican voters remain unaffected. The results suggest that taking a 'green' stance can be a cost-free strategy for candidates of either party.
Research by Brown University economists finds that daily polling data responds to returns from primary victories, with early voters having a disproportionate impact on candidate momentum. This can lead to candidates spending more resources in early states, potentially altering the nomination outcome.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has received a $150,000 grant to support efforts by eco-guards to protect Grauer's gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The grant will help equip park rangers with field equipment to monitor and limit poaching within the park.
A recent study of decades of data from the US and eight other countries found significant funding disparities between over-represented and under-represented states. Over-represented provinces can expect to receive more than twice the federal funding per capita as under-represented ones.
A University of Missouri study shows that religious beliefs still impact voting patterns, even as church attendance decreases. The study found that religion is a key factor influencing voter turnout and platform preferences, particularly on social issues.
Stanford researchers found a link between the collapse of the Soviet Union's anti-alcohol campaign and Russia's four-year mortality crisis. The study suggests that the campaign's closure led to a resurgence in deaths from alcohol poisoning, drunken violence, and slower killers like heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers found that viewers were heavily influenced by a continuous response tracking measure called the 'worm', which can compromise democratic decision-making. The study suggests that biased worms in live debates could determine election outcomes.
Researchers Prof. Tamir Sheafer and Dr. Shaul Shenhav found a 'negative democratic gap' in states such as Egypt, Iran, and Morocco, where citizens' aspirations for democracy exceed the actual level of democracy granted. This gap increases the likelihood of instability. On the other hand, countries with a 'positive democratic gap', like...
A new study by Milton Diamond and colleagues found that legalizing child pornography in the Czech Republic led to a significant decrease in reported cases of child sex abuse. The study's findings also suggest that potential sexual offenders use child pornography as a substitute for sex crimes against children.
Researchers at UCLA report a 20-fold increase in human monkeypox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo since smallpox vaccinations ended in 1980. The virus has become more common due to lack of health infrastructure and no surveillance, posing a risk for wider spread into animal populations.
A study by MU researchers found that top citizen websites and bloggers lack staff and financial resources to provide adequate coverage. The team's findings highlight the need for effective journalistic presence in democracy, as many newspapers and broadcast outlets struggle financially.
A recent study by Moises Arce found that protests in Latin America can lead to changes in policies and the direction of government. New parties emerging from these protests better represent popular interests and serve as effective communication channels for political discourse.
A study by Ohio State University found that social factors like population growth and violent conflict are more important than democracy in expanding Internet use. Strong capitalism can help a country join the online community even if it lacks democratic freedoms.
The latest data on maternal mortality show significant progress in reducing deaths in countries like China, Egypt, Ecuador, and Bolivia. However, unexpected increases were found in the US, Canada, and Denmark. The analysis revealed that the number of women dying from pregnancy-related causes has dropped by over 35% globally since 1980.
In complex organisms, regulatory networks are more democratic and collaborative, with master regulators controlling middle managers governing workhorse genes. These systems tend to be less autocratic, instead relying on mutually supporting partnerships for stability.
A national study spanning 120 years found that vigorous two-party competition provides the best guarantee for meaningful governance, while modest salaries for lawmakers add a second protection against narrow-interest legislation. The research examined 13 states and found that larger party control leads to more parochial legislation.
A recent study by Professor James Campbell of the University at Buffalo found that Democratic and Republican presidents have had comparable economic records, contradicting a previous finding by Princeton professor Larry Bartels. Campbell argues that the key difference lies in how the economic data is analyzed, taking into account the s...
A study published in Psychological Science found that labels can influence people's attitudes towards certain policies. In a study, participants were offered the choice between two identical items with different prices, one labeled as a carbon offset and the other as a carbon tax. The results showed that Democrats supported the offset ...
A new study by Jenifer Whitten-Woodring found that media freedom in countries without democratic institutions is associated with greater oppression of human rights. In the absence of other outlets for dissent, media freedom can lead to cycles of violence and repression.
A new study published in The Journal of Legal Studies found that government use of torture increased worldwide between 1985 and 2003, contradicting international norms. Despite over 75% of countries signing the UN Convention Against Torture, torture reports remained common in 69% of nations.
A study by MSU scholar Matt Grossmann finds that special interest groups often join bipartisan coalitions to support legislation, contradicting the conventional view. The research also reveals that Democratic and Republican groups are more closely linked than previously thought.
The American Political Science Association has awarded several notable individuals with prestigious recognition for their contributions to the study and practice of politics. Lawrence O'Toole received the John Gaus Award for a lifetime of scholarship, while Catherine McArdle Kelleher won the Hubert H. Humphrey Award for public service.
A study published in Sociological Inquiry examines why people form false beliefs, such as the link between Saddam Hussein and 9/11, despite a lack of evidence. Researchers found that motivated reasoning, a cognitive theory, plays a significant role in shaping these beliefs.
A new study by Gregory Koger and Jennifer Nicoll Victor found that professional lobbyists in Washington, DC are highly partisan, giving most of their campaign donations to one preferred political party. The research analyzed over 1,200 lobbyists and found that only 6.3% gave at least 40% of their donations to both parties.
Research studies examining Academies in England reveal mixed results, with notable improvements to student performance but diversity between and within Academies. The Trinity Academy case study highlights the significance of private business sponsorship and core values in achieving improved GCSE attainment.
The 2008 federal elections saw a significant shift in campaign fundraising, with Democrats surpassing Republicans in raising money from individuals. The Obama campaign's use of the Internet and ground game contributed to its substantial advantage in voter mobilization.
Frances Moore Lappé argues that five key assumptions about the world's functioning are holding back sustainable progress. She proposes challenging these ideas by adopting renewable energy sources, promoting efficient growth models, and prioritizing individual empowerment over authoritarian control.
Despite growing demand for democracy, only 47% of Africans believe they have a democratic government, and 46% are satisfied with its functioning. The survey found that demand for democracy varies widely among countries, from 18% in Burkina Faso to 71% in Zambia.
A new study in The Financial Review finds that political variables do not improve the performance of trading rules, contradicting previous research. The study analyzed monthly U.S. data from 1953 to 2003 and used widely used statistical model-selection criteria, finding limited economic benefits from using political variables.
Reagan's presidency is assessed under eight headings of public concern: welfare state, taxation, national security, the presidency, personnel, party politics, political leadership, and the person. Despite his impact on tax rates and national security, Reagan's legacy is complicated by concerns over big government and executive power.
Research suggests that civic education can mitigate poorly informed and disengaged American citizens. Eamonn Callan argues for 'rational social hope' in which teachers promote civic virtue through relevant information and understanding.
A new study suggests that heavy advertising by both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates can make voters in battleground states more confused about which candidate to vote for. Ambivalence levels were higher in states with a high number of ads from both parties, while personal characteristics like education and party ident...
A new study reveals that increased campaign spending significantly improves citizen participation in State Supreme Court elections. The research, published in the American Journal of Political Science, found that greater spending facilitates voting and strengthens the connection between citizens and courts.
A new study by University of Illinois economists finds that media bias can influence voters' decisions, with conservative and liberal outlets favoring their respective candidates. Selective reporting can lead to incomplete information, causing mistakes at the polls.
Research shows that TV news audiences are increasingly divided by party affiliation, with significant consequences for democracy and political discourse. Individuals who don't identify strongly with either party are watching less news, while those who do are exposed to tailored content that reinforces their views.
Recent behavioral game theory research suggests that democratic market societies depend on a balance between selfishness and morality to succeed. This perspective is supported by studies showing that university students in traditional societies exhibit more antisocial punishment behavior than those in advanced market economies.
Research suggests shifts in party control occur roughly every 14 years, with presidential and full cycle changes completing about every 26-28 years. The study provides a theoretical model for explaining these cycles and refines the understanding of national electoral realignments.
ASU researcher Daniel Sarewitz argues that excessive direct democracy in science funding can result in abuse and a loss of credibility. He suggests that representative democracy is more effective, allowing for informed decision-making and consideration of complex issues.
The Lancet Editorial advocates for universal health care coverage combined with high-quality evidence-based practice as a singular and lasting achievement for the next US president. The proposed plan includes establishing a national clinical effectiveness effort to produce unbiased information about effective healthcare practices.
A survey found that Americans favor keeping employer role in paying for health insurance and believe covering all should be a shared responsibility. The report also evaluates the Presidential candidates' health reform plans, highlighting key differences between Democratic and Republican proposals.
A national study found a disconnect between explicit and implicit preferences for Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The study, using an Implicit Association Test, showed that Clinton was the preferred candidate among 48% of participants, while Obama had 25% support.
Research by Diana C. Mutz suggests that televised political discourse can improve awareness of issue arguments but also leads to increased emotional reactions and decreased regard for oppositional views when incivility and close-up camera perspectives are used.
The American Political Science Association (APSA) has recognized outstanding contributions to the study, teaching, and practice of politics with its 2007 awards. This year's winners include notable public servants, journalists, scholars, and researchers who have made significant impacts in their respective fields.
Research suggests that anti-war activists are divided between supporting the Democratic Party and others, potentially complicating their electoral prospects. The study found that grassroots activists support the Democrats at a rate of around 40%, while non-Democratic activists work with organizations like United for Peace and Justice.
A majority of Afghans (84%) support democracy, with a high level of understanding of its key concepts. However, regions of conflict pose a significant threat to democratic participation and the coexistence of democracy and Islam.
A new study challenges the notion of deep societal divisions in Mexico following the 2006 presidential election. The research suggests that elite-level politics are more polarized than ever, while mass voting patterns reveal moderation and a lack of clear divisions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of Mexican democracy.
The Iraqi public demonstrates the highest levels of intolerance to foreigners, with extraordinarily high levels of ethnic solidarity. Despite this, a majority of Iraqis (85%) believe democracy is the best form of government and their commitment seems genuine.
A Tulane University study suggests that bats may have been responsible for the origin of the deadly Marburg hemorrhagic fever outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The research identified multiple genetic variants of the virus, indicating repeated introductions from a primary reservoir rather than person-to-person spread.
Chinese immigrants aspire to Australia's free, democratic culture with a focus on social and environmental interests. They perceive Australians as friendly, open, and balanced between work and enjoyment.
Researchers distinguish between ambition formation and decision to run, finding that 'progressive ambition' exists prior to a decision in a particular race. Professional legislators are more successful at raising money and gaining votes, leading to enhanced accountability and responsiveness in U.S. House campaigns.
The professor's book explores how religious schools shape students' attitudes, skills, and beliefs essential to democracy. He argues that public schools should remain strong and viable, while supporting the training of religious teachers.
The 'Ethnicity and Democratic Governance' project, led by Queen's Professor Bruce Berman, explores the complexities of democracy in multi-ethnic states and how to accommodate linguistic and cultural diversity. The team aims to develop practical tools for managing ethnic conflicts and promoting social justice.
A new study by the University of Liverpool reveals that unelected agencies control up to 60% of public spending in local authority areas. The report highlights the need for a revival of local democracy, aided but not driven by central government.
Historian Krijn Thijs investigates how dictatorship and democracy influenced Berlin's interpretation of its past. The research reveals that different versions of the city's history were constructed to legitimize power and define identity.