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Why people reject new rules – but only until they take effect

A study by Technical University of Munich and University of Vienna found that resistance to restrictive measures is often less robust than feared by policymakers. Once the new rules come into force, people's attitudes towards them decline significantly, revealing a psychological mechanism behind this phenomenon.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2025

Lessons from Venezuela’s democratic collapse: How opposition movements can defy autocratic leaders

A new paper by Laura Gamboa analyzes Venezuela's 25-year evolution, highlighting the importance of leveraging institutional spaces during democratic erasure. The study shows that using both radical strategies and institutional tactics can be effective in resisting authoritarian regimes.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·TypeCase study·DateMar 25, 2025

Diverging views of democracy fuel support for authoritarian politicians, Notre Dame study shows

A new study by the University of Notre Dame found that diverse understandings of democracy among voters can lead to votes for authoritarian-leaning political leaders. Voters who supported democracy in principle but adhered less strongly to liberal democratic norms were more likely to tolerate democratic violations.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalBritish Journal of Political Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Trust in the European Union is not catching up to pre-crisis levels, finds new study

A new study found that EU citizens' trust in the European Union has not increased as hoped after past crises. The research highlights growing discontent among citizens and points to factors such as economic upheaval, political strife, and emotional attachment to the EU as contributing to this crisis of confidence.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Contemporary European Studies·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

The prescription for a healthier democracy

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateAug 6, 2024

Study shows politicians deny misdeeds because we want to believe them

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...

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

In international relations, it’s the message, not the medium

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...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalInternational Studies Quarterly·DateMay 28, 2024

Essays on democracy draw attention to critical threats, explore safeguards ahead of Jan. 6

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.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 25, 2024

‘Politicians in robes’: How a sharp right turn imperiled trust in the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court's shift to the right has led to a significant erosion of public trust and legitimacy, with Democrats seeing the court as less legitimate and Republicans viewing it more positively. The court's dramatic change since the 2022 Dobbs ruling has polarized the public along partisan lines for the first time in decades.

International recognition played a crucial role in giving Libyan political actors sovereignty, study shows

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Studies Review·TypeSurvey·DateDec 18, 2023

Stretching the truth: New research reveals negative effects of exaggerative political statements

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.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalEuropean Political Science Review·DateSep 14, 2023

New study finds connection between long-standing gender and racial gaps in voting for Democrats

A new study by NYU sociologists finds that the persistent gender gap in voting for Democrats can be attributed, in part, to the higher proportion of Black women among female voters. The research suggests that this racial composition explains approximately a quarter of the gender gap in voting Democratic.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 12, 2023

Sexist and impossible standards are still entrenched in UK political reporting, new study finds

A new study by the University of Surrey found that UK mainstream media continues to apply impossible and sexist standards to female politicians, particularly after Brexit. The research highlights how language and framing can reinforce sexist beliefs, associating femininity with weakness and men with 'masculine strength'.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalFeminist Media Studies·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Incivility reduces interest in what politicians have to say, shows research

A study by researchers at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that politicians who engage in incivility receive fewer followers and less interest in their messages. The researchers analyzed social media posts from Donald Trump and Joe Biden, finding that the former president lost over 6 million followers due t...

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2023

An examination of federal personnel changes in the Trump era

The analysis found that aggregate federal employment remained relatively stable during the Trump presidency, but some agencies grew significantly, while others downsized or experienced major turnovers. This reflects the Trump administration's priorities, with trends aligning with its focus on immigration and federal affairs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJan 18, 2023

Differential response to corporate political advocacy and corporate social responsibility: implications for political polarization and radicalization

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.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateDec 19, 2022

US food insufficiency spiked by 25% after monthly Child Tax Credits expired

A new study found that the expiration of monthly Child Tax Credit payments led to a 25% increase in food insufficiency among US households with children. The loss of cash relief benefits disproportionately impacted Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant families, exacerbating racial and economic inequities.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateOct 21, 2022

US presidential narcissism linked to longer wars

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that US presidents who scored high on a measure of narcissism spent an average of 613 days at war, compared to 136 days for those below average. Narcissistic leaders tend to extend wars to declare victory and maintain their self-image.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Conflict Resolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 13, 2022

Splits and mergers: Investigating the role of policy disagreements in party switching using a Japanese example

A Japanese study reveals that policy disagreement and politicization led to the split of Japan's largest opposition party in 2017. The researchers found that traditional DIF analysis failed to capture the complexity of party positions, but a corrected version showed strong discord over defense policy.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJapanese Journal of Political Science·TypeSurvey·DateJul 26, 2022

High incarceration rates may not help US citizens feel safer

A new study by Penn State researchers found no significant difference in fear of crime between people living in areas with high and low incarceration rates. Despite the US having the world's highest incarceration rate, the study suggests that mass incarceration policies may not have the desired effect on reducing crime fear.

SourcePenn State·JournalJustice Quarterly·TypeObservational study·DateJul 7, 2022