Society & Politics

Past research has shown that even though science is commonly viewed as essential for effective policymaking, Democrats and Republicans cite different scientific research when creating policy—even when addressing the same topic. Now, a new Northwestern study analyzing congressional reports, hearings and think tank publications from around the country, has found... Read more

The security of every nation faces an increasingly severe and frequent threat: disruptions to nature. According to Bradley J. Cardinale, professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, disrupted ecosystems can lead to increased risk for food security, water availability, health... Read more

Consumer trust in smart technologies—like Amazon's Alexa or Ring's video doorbells—may rely on more than just the technology. It may also depend on a person's political beliefs. New research from the University of New Hampshire found that where you are on the political spectrum may sway your decision to use... Read more

The relationships human societies have with animals aren't fixed, but vary according to era, culture, territory and customs.... Read more

Americans are more likely to turn to authoritarian leaders when jobs are being lost due to offshoring than they are when job losses result from automation, an international research team has found. This is despite the fact that automation tends to lead to greater job losses.... Read more

Just as major global powers are retreating from climate finance commitments, a new empirical study provides, for the first time, evidence of a direct link between climate finance and a lower risk of resource-related conflict in developing countries.... Read more

Natural resources—such as fossil fuels, water, and minerals—are materials found in the environment that are essential for life and highly utilized in production. Though these resources are viewed as essential to economic development and wealth, many resource-rich countries have paradoxically struggled with limited economic growth and unstable political institutions. This... Read more

Millions of Americans trade cryptocurrency, but a new study from the University of Iowa finds many of them may not be very savvy when it comes to finance, acting more like meme stock traders and failing to report gains on their taxes.... Read more

If you were to ask democracy scholars what they consider the greatest threat to American democracy, you might assume it is voters who support undemocratic practices or policies. But the real answer may surprise you: These voters are not the main problem.... Read more

An Iranian propaganda video depicts Donald Trump, Netanyahu and Satan as Lego figurines, the White House combines real footage of airstrikes with clips from films and video games, and the American president shares AI-generated videos of himself as a fighter pilot. It sounds like satire, but it is the new... Read more

In 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as the primary trade framework for the three countries. The agreement is now being reviewed by the three countries. In a new report by the Brookings Institution, experts delved into what the agreement has meant... Read more

In recent years, many observers have noted parallels between the current international environment and the 1930s, including rising geopolitical tensions, political polarization, trade conflicts, and regional wars. This raised a broader question: How do changes in the international environment reshape domestic political landscapes?... Read more

Asian immigrants are both the fastest-growing and highest-earning immigrant ethnic group in the United States, facts that have caught the attention of many economists interested in how these groups—whether investors or residents—impact housing prices, K-12 education, and other important aspects of community life.... Read more

Popular AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini are not neutral and tend to favor certain political parties when asked who users should vote for. This makes them unsuitable for providing advice in connection with elections, according to researchers from the University of Copenhagen behind a new analysis of political... Read more

Dr. Ruben Ruiz Rufino found that communities with clusters of workers in labor-intensive sectors consistently showed higher levels of support for radical-right movements than areas dominated by knowledge-based industries. The study, published in the journal Political Studies, sought to examine how local economic environments shape political attitudes across Europe.... Read more