Op-Eds

Our research found two strategies that may help restore general social disapproval of attacks such as the one against Nancy Pelosi’s husband.

Our new study tested 25 different approaches with both Republicans and Democrats. Here are three that made a difference.

Many commentators are pessimistic that the new evidence will “move the needle” among the large proportion of Republican voters who have lost faith in American elections. Are they right?

Our study shows that party elites can affect Republicans’ vaccine intentions.

One of the biggest challenges in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year has been political polarization on public health measures — whether it’s the shuttering of stores, physical distancing or mask wearing — and vaccines are no exception.

In his victory speech last month, President-elect Joe Biden urged Americans “to see each other again, listen to each other again.” The moment felt like an opportunity to connect and heal. Political scientist Ian Bremmer tweeted: “Now is the time for every Biden supporter to reach out to one person who voted for Trump. Empathize with them.”

Are Americans ready for a woman president? The Democratic primaries suggest the answer is “no.” Despite an initial field including four distinguished women, all senators with strong favorability ratings among Democratic voters, the field has already coalesced around two white men in their late 70’s.

Research suggests they would gain moderate and conservative support — without losing ground among their base.

The higher that inequality goes, the more that rich people feel entitled to their wealth.

Depends on who's asking—but recent research shows they're an essential part of the social fabric

How far can protesters go before their tactics become a hindrance, prompting backlash instead of winning hearts and minds? Are disruptive or violent acts of protest effective in winning support for a cause?

Trump’s best hope is to convince opponents he’s more popular than he actually is.

Conservatives’ criticism of "political correctness," simmering for years, came to a boil during the 2016 presidential election. Indeed, this frustration may help explain the paradox of how Donald Trump could be elected despite an unprecedented track record of offensive statements. After all, if you were upset about norms for language on politically sensitive topics, it would be hard to imagine a better candidate to symbolically represent that frustration.

This Thanksgiving promises to be perhaps the most politically divisive in American history. In dining rooms across the country, lifelong relationships will be tested. Family members will struggle to control their tempers. The feet of innumerable in-laws will be kicked. Countless meals will descend into awkward silence, tensions aggravated by the clinking of silverware on porcelain.

How should we understand the coalescence of Republican support around a candidate recently viewed as unelectable by most analysts? Conversely, why has it taken so long for Clinton to unite Democrats despite significant advantages in resources, organization, and experience?

In business, everyone knows that if you want to persuade people to make a deal with you, you have to focus on what they value, not what you do. If you’re trying to sell your car, you emphasize the features of the sale that appeal to the buyer (the reliability and reasonable price of the vehicle), not the ones that appeal to you (the influx of cash).

According to a recent poll, a large majority of Americans, and roughly half of Republicans, say they support governmental action to address global warming. The poll, conducted by The New York Times, Stanford and the research organization Resources for the Future, stands in stark contrast to the vast partisan gulf in political efforts to address climate change. How could it be that so many Republicans view global warming as a problem, but so few on the right are pressuring the government to take action to address it?

Like a lot of TV viewers these days, we binge-watch our favorite shows, consuming two, three or more episodes - sometimes entire seasons - at a time.