Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

SoylentNews is powered by your submissions, so send in your scoop. Only 13 submissions in the queue.
Politics
posted by janrinok on Monday January 27 2020, @05:46PM   Printer-friendly

Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:

Political polarization among Americans has grown rapidly in the last 40 years—more than in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia or Germany—a phenomenon possibly due to increased racial division, the rise of partisan cable news and changes in the composition of the Democratic and Republican parties.

That's according to new research co-authored by Jesse Shapiro, a professor of political economy at Brown University. The study, conducted alongside Stanford University economists Levi Boxell and Matthew Gentzkow, was released on Monday, Jan. 20, as a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper.

In the study, Shapiro and colleagues present the first ever multi-nation evidence on long-term trends in "affective polarization"—a phenomenon in which citizens feel more negatively toward other political parties than toward their own. They found that in the U.S., affective polarization has increased more dramatically since the late 1970s than in the eight other countries they examined—the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden.

"A lot of analysis on polarization is focused on the U.S., so we thought it could be interesting to put the U.S. in context and see whether it is part of a global trend or whether it looks more exceptional," Shapiro said. "We found that the trend in the U.S. is indeed exceptional."

Using data from four decades of public opinion surveys conducted in the nine countries, the researchers used a so-called "feeling thermometer" to rate attitudes on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 reflected no negative feelings toward other parties. They found that in 1978, the average American rated the members of their own political party 27 points higher than members of the other major party. By 2016, Americans were rating their own party 45.9 points higher than the other party, on average. In other words, negative feelings toward members of the other party compared to one's own party increased by an average of 4.8 points per decade.

The researchers found that polarization had also risen in Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland in the last 40 years, but to a lesser extent. In the U.K., Australia, Germany, Norway and Sweden, polarization decreased.

More information: Levi Boxell et al, Cross-Country Trends in Affective Polarization, (2020). DOI: 10.3386/w26669


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @04:48AM (10 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @04:48AM (#949883)

    It starts with you. You're being hateful.

    I think it is because you've been lied to. Trump really, truly, isn't corrupt.

    Look at the supposed benefits. His fortune seems to have dropped from about $4 billion to $3 billion during his unprofitable adventure in politics. Every other politician is suspiciously getting rich: Obama, Sanders, Kerry, Clinton(s), Biden, many others, and even some republicans. Sanders is particularly interesting. He has never worked a non-elected job and has never worked a high-paying job, yet he owns 3 houses. Hmmm. At least we know where Trump got his billions from.

    All the "dirt" on Trump has been piddly shit. He hired family, on lame-ass pitiful government salaries, taking them away from fancy-ass executive jobs that were raking in the money. (BTW, he donates his own salary) He DID NOT withhold aid from Ukraine, unlike Obama and Biden, so WTF on that one... and anyway it is his duty to pressure other countries into helping investigate corrupt Americans like the Biden family. That "emoluments" bullshit (what a fancy-ass word there to scare people) is trivial in size and anyway HE DONATES THE PROFIT.

    Starting Score:    0  points
    Moderation   -1  
       Troll=1, Disagree=1, Total=2
    Extra 'Troll' Modifier   0  

    Total Score:   -1  
  • (Score: 4, Informative) by edIII on Tuesday January 28 2020, @05:56AM (7 children)

    by edIII (791) on Tuesday January 28 2020, @05:56AM (#949923)

    Yep. Those new clothes the Emperor is wearing sure are spiffy! Yes, sirreee.

    Exactly what I mean. The complete inability to face reality due to partisan reasons. If you're not partisan, meaning a Trump supporter or conservative, than you're just simply oblivious and ignorant in the same fashion as Flat Earthers and those convinced Elvis is alive in a relationship with Ol' Squatch.

    The emoluments clause isn't bullshit, and represents a core principal of my country. Yes, he very much fucking did, withhold aid from the Ukraine, as well as conspired to do so until his personal self-serving demands are met, and then finally delivered the actual ultimatum (quid pro quo) personally himself. That's only one of the glaring fucking issues too.

    You're the perfect example of somebody suffering Trump Derangement Syndrome. What is the line? How bad does something have to be for him to do, before you find the moral and ethical impetus to admit he is the piece of shit that he is?

    --
    Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
    • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @06:52AM (6 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @06:52AM (#949951)

      Can we at least find an example of Trump jaywalking? That would be worse than what he is accused of. Somebody could swerve to avoid him, and then crash into a parked car.

      There is no emolument anyway. Trump does not take a salary from a foreign land. He doesn't even work for the hotels that foreigners are staying in; he just does brand licensing and investment. Can the man have an investment? Any normal 401K plan would include foreign shit; is that emoluments to you? Seriously, this emoluments claim is unreasonable.

      Were you OK with Obama withholding aid to Ukraine? Obama never delivered the weapons. He blocked them until he left office.

      Were you OK with Biden threatening $1,000,000,000 in aid to Ukraine, demanding that a prosecutor be fired (the one investigating Hunter Biden) immediately in exchange for the aid not being blocked?

      It seems standard practice to withhold aid from Ukraine. Why is it suddenly an impeachable offense?

      In the USA, our president oversees both the state department (foreign relations) and the federal prosecution. Both are under him in the org tree. He is our head of state. It is thus proper for him to assist his prosecutors by pressuring foreign leaders to cooperate. Not that Trump denied aid, but he had the right to do so. Trump also has the duty to ensure that prosecutors prosecute. In other words, if pressuring Ukraine with denial of aid would help to get the Biden corruption exposed for prosecution, then Trump has the duty to do it. The fact that Trump might personally benefit (not that he would... LOL, Biden???) is immaterial.

      To make this clear with a non-presidential example: Suppose that Trump had been elected mayor of NYC. Suppose that 5th Avenue was torn up by a parade of heavy equipment. Trump lives on 5th Avenue. Is it corruption to fix up 5th Avenue, since Trump would personally benefit, or is the mayor actually supposed to keep the street in good repair? This is pretty much the Ukraine complaint... except that Trump is probably happy to have Biden win the primary.

      • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @10:04AM (5 children)

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @10:04AM (#949998)

        Can we at least find an example of Trump jaywalking?

        That would be worse than what he is accused of.

        Holy fuck.... Trump derangement syndrome right fucking there. The money was to be provided by LAW. But Trump stopped it in defiance of the LAW until his personal request was fulfilled.

        This is like police officer would be ordered to escort your tax refund to you but then instead of giving you the money, they hold on to it until you do "a favor" for them instead. No favor, no fucking money. Then the police get caught and you are like "oh noes, poor corrupt police officer, so difficult life, why that asshole couldn't just do the favor instead?"

        Were you OK with Biden threatening $1,000,000,000 in aid to Ukraine, demanding that a prosecutor be fired (the one investigating Hunter Biden) immediately in exchange for the aid not being blocked?

        Yeah, Biden could have told Obama to veto the bill and the aid would be halted? That's per fucking law. Trump could have vetoed the bill too, but it was approved by everyone so his veto was worth fuck all.

        The president has to follow the LAW. Trump has NO discretion about this military aid. But he fucking *defied* the law. And he *defined* the law for his *personal* gain. It wasn't for betterment of America, that's for fucking sure.

        Can Trump name one fucking corrupt Ukrainian official?? NONE! That's exactly how much he cares about corruption. He fired the ambassador that was putting pressure on Ukraine to cleanup corruption in its institutions instead.

        • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @06:40PM (1 child)

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @06:40PM (#950162)

          First of all, Trump derangement syndrome means an unreasonable obsessive hatred of Trump. That's you, not me.

          Under the law, Trump can withhold aid. Fuck, he could drone people in Ukraine. He is the chief executive and commander in chief, in case you didn't know.

          You really think it is just fine for Biden to abuse government resources (US aid to Ukraine) to stop an investigation into his own corruption? Come on. That is corruption on top of corruption. That, right there, is *personal* gain. It wasn't for betterment of America, that's for fucking sure.

          Meanwhile, for betterment of America, we need to stop the Biden corruption. Trump has no *personal* gain from that, because it might make Biden lose the primary. It's personal loss. Trump would be happy to run against Biden. Anyway, since when is running for president an immunity from investigation? Obama investigated Trump, going well beyond what was legal. Of course Biden should be investigated, for the betterment of America, and it is a duty to make Ukraine cooperate.

          • (Score: 5, Insightful) by edIII on Tuesday January 28 2020, @08:36PM

            by edIII (791) on Tuesday January 28 2020, @08:36PM (#950214)

            You're definitely suffering from Chronic Trump Derangement Syndrome. You know how you can tell? Replace Trump with Obama and ask yourself if the Republicans wouldn't have been foaming at the mouth demanding Obama actually be shot for treason? Not just impeachment, but charges of treason.

            The only reason why you're fighting so hard to justify criminal and corrupt behavior is tribalism. When that's pointed out to you, you're response is either tribalism too, or this amazing disconnect with reality where you spin criminal actions as positive ones. There are two responses to your insanity; Joining it in your retarded echo chamber of denialism, or stand back in horror as we realize you've all gone fucking insane.

            You're so far gone it's impossible for you to see criminal and corrupt behavior for what it is.

            --
            Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
        • (Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday January 28 2020, @06:40PM (2 children)

          by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday January 28 2020, @06:40PM (#950163) Journal

          The president has to follow the LAW. Trump has NO discretion about this military aid. But he fucking *defied* the law. And he *defined* the law for his *personal* gain. It wasn't for betterment of America, that's for fucking sure.

          Two obvious rebuttals: Trump does have some discretion despite the claims to the contrary (such as, for example, the Ukraine doing things contrary to important US interests such as attacking the US). The issue at hand is whether Ukrainian failure to investigate a potential act of corruption by a high ranking US official, former VP Biden, counts as such an issue. I gather the Democrat position is no and the Republican position is a waffling yes.

          And two, the two Bidens' actions being investigated lawfully are in the national interest even if the insistence on the investigation were done for Trump's advantage. We can't after all, expect Joe Biden's allies to call for the investigation. Such things are left to his enemies to do so. It would be nationally suicidal if we excused criminal activity if you could show some enemy had something to gain by any investigation and prosecution.

          It'd be different, if Trump was being accused of violating the Bidens' constitutional rights for personal gain. But the Democrats have been very particular about not going there, perhaps because they don't want to risk there being some fire in that smoke.

          • (Score: 2) by edIII on Tuesday January 28 2020, @08:25PM (1 child)

            by edIII (791) on Tuesday January 28 2020, @08:25PM (#950211)

            Actually, you're a little wrong there. The real issue at hand isn't whether Trump can fight corruption, and can ask for an investigation. It's about how he did it. I agree that it's the President's job to do this, but not in a corrupt way.

            Options:

            1) Act like a strongman, deny aid, demand investigations into political rivals to receive aid.
            2) Call a press conference. Announce that you are under the belief that an American politician acted improperly in the Ukraine, and that it's Biden. Publicly call upon the Ukraine to announce investigations where appropriate, the Department of Justice to conduct their investigations, and then bring up the matter before Congress asking them to investigate.

            If he had properly delegated the job, and more importantly separated the job from the Congressionally mandated aid, and then stepped back and asked for the rest of us to do the job impartially to the best of our abilities... that would be one thing.

            He didn't, and instead acted like a Mafia Don with threats and leverage. Which isn't really surprising at all giving the man's behavior, and such behavior is not appropriate for a US President. Ethically, Legally, or morally. This is not the foreign policy Americans should be proud of.

            --
            Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
            • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @10:27PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @10:27PM (#950279)

              Option 2 is gross and nasty. It is unmanly. It is impotent, weak, ineffective, and powerless. Such behavior is not appropriate for a US President. It would be an embarrassment for the nation.

              Any president who would take option 2 is disqualified for holding office due to mental illness.

              I damn well expect threats and leverage. Power is to be used. If you want an actor fag like Trudeau, move to Canada.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @06:21AM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 28 2020, @06:21AM (#949937)

    "That "emoluments" bullshit (what a fancy-ass word there to scare people) is trivial in size and anyway HE DONATES THE PROFIT."

    Bullshit law to prevent politicians from abusing their power for personal gain? Seems like a reasonable law to restrain the "most powerful position in the world." Hope he's not scamming those donations like every other venture he scams. Or did you miss his charity scam? Or his misappropriation of campaign funds?

    Personally I don't care how trivial the size of graft is, he is stealing millions and millions from the American public. It is disheartening to see a fellow citizen believing the transparent excuses for corruption. Guess that is what happens when you tie your personal identity so closely that admitting fault in your idol will mean invalidating your own existence.

    • (Score: 2) by barbara hudson on Tuesday January 28 2020, @09:01PM

      by barbara hudson (6443) <barbara.Jane.hudson@icloud.com> on Tuesday January 28 2020, @09:01PM (#950229) Journal
      Sure he donates the profit. To his own charity, which then recycles the money back to him. That's why he was forced to close the charity - it was corrupt.
      --
      SoylentNews is social media. Says so right in the slogan. Soylentnews is people, not tech.