Polarization
What both sides of America’s polarized divide share: Deep anxieties about the meaning of life and existence itself
What both sides of America’s polarized divide share: Deep anxieties about the meaning of life and existence itself Existential anxiety is a common fear shared by both sides of America’s polarized divide, rooted in deep anxieties about the meaning of life and existence itself. Research suggests that existential anxiety is associated with indicators of poor […]
🏛️ Politics
Polarizing political events are leading Americans to increasingly call for a national divorce
Polarizing political events are leading Americans to increasingly call for a national divorce Polarization in American politics has reached a boiling point, with 64% of Americans believing the country is too divided to solve its problems, up from 42% in 2020. The idea of a national divorce, where America splits into two separate countries along […]
🏛️ Politics
King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality
King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality The White House’s social media strategy under Trump blurs the lines between politics and entertainment, using melodramatic and theatrical language to appeal to his base. The White House often releases AI-generated images of Trump in various roles, […]
🏛️ Politics
Moral panics intensify social divisions and can lead to political violence
Moral panics intensify social divisions and can lead to political violence Moral panics can intensify social divisions and lead to political violence, as seen in recent high-profile incidents such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The concept of moral panics involves a societal epidemic of disproportionate fear of real or perceived threats, often leading to […]
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Why are there so many protests? The US public is highly polarized, and that drives people to act
Why are there so many protests? The US public is highly polarized, and that drives people to act Polarization is driving the surge in protests in the US, with the number of nonviolent demonstrations almost tripling since 2017. The level of polarization among Americans has reached its highest level since political scientists began tracking it […]
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‘This will not end here’: A scholar explains why Charlie Kirk’s killing could embolden political violence
‘This will not end here’: A scholar explains why Charlie Kirk’s killing could embolden political violence Charlie Kirk’s killing has brought renewed attention to the climate of political violence in America, with a significant increase in threats against officeholders and politicians at all levels. The scholar Arie Perliger warns that this trend could embolden political […]
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Social scientists have long found women tend to be more religious than men – but Gen Z may show a shift
Social scientists have long found women tend to be more religious than men – but Gen Z may show a shift Contrary to long-held assumptions, survey data suggests that Generation Z may be showing a shift away from women being more religious than men, with Gen Z women having a slightly lower rate of religiosity […]
🏛️ Politics
Supporting religious diversity on campus is a surprising consensus among faculty across the red-blue divide
Supporting religious diversity on campus is a surprising consensus among faculty across the red-blue divide Faculty members across the red-blue divide have found common ground on the importance of religious, spiritual, and secular inclusion in diversity efforts. A national survey of 1,000 faculty members revealed significant differences in perceptions of free speech and DEI (diversity, […]
🏛️ Politics
Forget the warm fuzzies of finding common ground – to beat polarization, try changing your expectations
Forget the warm fuzzies of finding common ground – to beat polarization, try changing your expectations Changing expectations and seeking common ground may not be enough to beat polarization, as Coloradans’ bipartisan rejection of home rule suggests that both sides recoiled at the expensive and rushed nature of the election. Polarization can be a feature, […]
🏛️ Politics
Mexican flags flown during immigration protests bother white people a lot more than other Americans
Mexican flags flown during immigration protests bother white people a lot more than other Americans A recent survey experiment found that Americans are more bothered by protesters waving the Mexican flag than the U.S. flag during immigration protests, but this difference disappears when looking at subgroups. White respondents were significantly more likely to be bothered […]
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