Are We on the Verge of a New Era of Political Reform?
Americans are deeply frustrated with how democracy is working in the United States and that could lead to a change in the status quo.
How to Reform Lobbying: Transparency
Opinion: Let’s make lobbyists — and anyone else wanting to influence the U.S. government — post their intentions on a public website.
Anger, Politics and the Wisdom of Uncertainty
Angry citizens, new research confirms, are motivated citizens. But they are not motivated to seek out new information. But anxious citizens do.
Why bin Laden Death Photos Won’t Change Minds
Whether it’s Osama’s death throes or Obama’s birthplace, a wealth of academic research shows that people believe today what they believed yesterday — even increasingly outlandish conspiracy theories.
Probing the Depths of the ‘Submerged State’
A welter of tax credits, breaks and incentives help Americans out in ways they don't understand or appreciate. This ignorance could have real consequences in debates about tax reform and deficit reduction.
America Not as Politically Conservative as You Think
Voters self-identify as conservatives for several reasons, only one of which is that it reflects their politics
We Should Care This Much About Earmarks? Really?
Earmarks are not a big deal, say political scientists. Most are perfectly justifiable, and they definitely aren't to blame for the "eruption of spending" from Washington.
Political Leapfrog Hops Over Most Americans
Americans hoping to triangulate their votes to chart a course between the extremes of ideology find their representatives are sailing even faster to the fringes.
Dismissing Gridlock: A Case for Parliamentary Systems
One system of democratic government is consistently better, say two political scientists, and it's not the one we have in the United States.
Get Politically Engaged, Get Happy?
Political activists — even the angry ones, but not the daring ones — are happier than the average person.