Mapping the Republican Brain

… But you will understand the current war in the Republican Party better if you are able to see the the six underlying attitudinal dimensions that run through the consciousness of today’s Republican Party supporters. It is these dimensions that create the passionate factions at war against “Obamacare,” gay marriage, […] Read more »

Do Popular Votes on Rights Create Animosity Toward Minorities?

Americans regularly make major decisions about minorities and minority rights via the purely majoritarian process of direct democracy. Conflict over the substance of these policies occasionally reaches the US Supreme Court, but effects of the process of direct democracy on perceptions of minorities receive little attention. My recent study of […] Read more »

States Are Diverging on Polarizing Social Issues

The inclusive comments on homosexuality from Pope Francis this week may crystallize a growing sense that the American politics of abortion and gay rights are moving in opposite directions. Across the U.S., the two issues’ trajectory has strikingly diverged. Gay marriage has rapidly advanced through Democratic-leaning terrain. Meanwhile, in conservative […] Read more »

Americans still dissatisfied with Washington, economy

Americans’ dissatisfaction with the economy continues along with their disapproval of President Obama’s and Congress’ handling of it, according to a new CBS News poll released Wednesday. [cont.] CBS News Read more »