Category Archives: public opinion

Is There A Silent Majority?

In the late 1960s, President Nixon popularized the term silent majority.  Nixon defined the silent majority as mainstream Americans who did not join protests against the Vietnam War nor participate in public discourse.  Preoccupied with a vocal minority, the news media overlooked the silent majority.     President Trump believes there is a silent majority asContinue reading “Is There A Silent Majority?”

The Democrats are United

In the last post, analyses of presidential approval ratings revealed two Republican factions.  A large group that strongly approved of President Trump and a smaller group that offered moderate support.  What about the Democratic Party.  Are they united? Or, are there divisions that Republicans could exploit? Disapproval of Trump Recall the presidential approval question:  “DoContinue reading “The Democrats are United”

Republican Approval of Trump: Not as High as You Think

President Trump often celebrates extraordinary high approval ratings from Republicans.  Just this week, Trump wrote, “96% approval rating in the Republican Party.  Thank you!”  Political analysts attribute the high approval to Trump’s laser-like focus on the Republican base.  Over the past 3 and half years, Trump advanced business friendly deregulation policies, significant tax-cuts, appointment ofContinue reading “Republican Approval of Trump: Not as High as You Think”

George Floyd’s death – an isolated incident or sign of broader problems?

It happened yet again.  Captured on video, the killing of another African American man at the hands of police.  The fatal encounter sparked waves of protest and violence across American cities.  While a majority of Americans support on-going protests, partisan disagreement lingers over the extent of the problem.  Are deaths the result of isolated actionsContinue reading “George Floyd’s death – an isolated incident or sign of broader problems?”

A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power – Part 2

At the start of the pandemic, the strong hand of government eliminated social and economic freedoms, striking a new balance between individualism and government power.     Today, as social and economic activity restarts, partisan tensions reappear and are growing.  This signals a return of individaulism.  Can the individualistic spirit thrive in this new enviornment?  Can itContinue reading “A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power – Part 2”

A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power

A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power The coronavirus pandemic exposes the delicate balance between individual liberties and government power.  At the onset, when government officials pursued policies that prioritized public health – lockdowns and social distancing – the public complied.  After all, the severity of the disease was unknown.  And footage from ChinaContinue reading “A Delicate Balance – Individualism and Government Power”

Social Capital and Social Distancing – Part 2

In Part 1, we introduced the concept of social capital, which refers to connections between people that generate trust, norms of reciprocity, and participation in civic life.  In general, people that join groups and interact regularly in social networks are cooperative, obliging, and inclined to do things for others.   We suggested this community-mindedness would beContinue reading “Social Capital and Social Distancing – Part 2”

Social Capital and Social Distancing – Part 1

Post by Alexandra Middlewood and Mark Joslyn Professor Middlewood teaches American government, political behavior and gender politics at  Wichita State University.  She recently published a paper on Gun Ownership and Women’s Political Participation.  In the classic, Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam described the decline of social capital in the United States.  He defined social capital as, “…features ofContinue reading “Social Capital and Social Distancing – Part 1”

Loathing and Leadership

“As the president fiddles, people are dying. The president, his denial at the beginning, was deadly.  The truth is a weak person, a poor leader, takes no responsibility.  A weak person blames others.”  Speaker of the House Pelosi commenting on President Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. “Crazy Nancy Pelosi, you are a weak person. Continue reading “Loathing and Leadership”