Support for political violence among Americans is on the rise. It’s a grim warning about America’s political future.

Business Insider

Daniel A. Cox March 26, 2021

In the wake of the Capitol uprising, we have been forced to reckon with the uncomfortable truth that political violence is no longer a theoretical concern. Continue Reading →

Democrats and Republicans should argue more — not less

FiveThirtyEight

Daniel A. Cox December 22, 2020

Our survey showed that when our social circles include a more diverse mix of political beliefs, we are more open to argument and less ideologically extreme. And, arguably, the best way to get to this point is to discuss — and disagree about — politics more. Continue Reading →

Could social alienation among some Trump supporters help explain why polls underestimated Trump again?

FiveThirtyEight

Daniel A. Cox November 24, 2020

There was a large swing to Trump among white voters who had low levels of social trust — a group that researchers have found is also less likely to participate in telephone surveys. Continue Reading →

The 2020 election was a perfect example of the weaknesses — and strengths — of political polls

Business Insider

Daniel A. Cox November 19, 2020

For those of us interested in understanding the world, polling offers an incredibly useful and cost-effective tool. It’s critical that we get it right. Continue Reading →

What’s going on with Republican women?

Bulwark

Daniel A. Cox, Brent Orrell October 26, 2020

It is easy to discount QAnon—but the reality is it is quickly emerging from the shadows into a full-blown political movement that periodically receives the passive, and at times, active support of the president of the United States. Continue Reading →

Biden’s ‘seize the center’ campaign strategy may just deliver him the White House

Business Insider

Daniel A. Cox October 25, 2020

If Biden is able to capitalize on the current set of circumstances presented by an unpopular incumbent, he may show the efficacy of persuasion-based tactics simply by demonstrating that there are more persuadable voters than many of us think. Continue Reading →

More and more Americans aren’t religious. Why are Democrats ignoring these voters?

FiveThirtyEight

Daniel A. Cox, Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux September 17, 2020

Often lost in this, though, is the fact that Democrats are mostly ignoring a massive group of voters who are becoming an increasingly crucial part of their base: people who don’t have any religion at all. Continue Reading →

What happens to parents when community spaces close?

RealClearPolicy

Daniel A. Cox, Samuel J. Abrams August 12, 2020

If it takes a village to raise a child, what happens to parents when the village goes into lockdown? Continue Reading →

Trump’s in danger of losing some of his most faithful voters

Business Insider

Daniel A. Cox June 27, 2020

It seems clear that Trump’s response to the COVID-19 crisis has hurt him politically. The AEI survey finds that the public has become increasingly critical of Trump’s response to the pandemic, even among his most loyal supporters. Continue Reading →

Many white Americans are ready to reopen the economy. Black Americans aren’t.

FiveThirtyEight

Daniel A. Cox, Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux June 16, 2020

Not all Americans are anxious for businesses to reopen. In fact, there is a fairly stark divide among white, black and Hispanic Americans on the subject. Continue Reading →

In the news

April 8, 2021

How trans children became a political football

March 31, 2021

3 GOP governors signed laws targeting trans youth in sports in the last 3 weeks

March 28, 2021

Why would Christians embrace conspiracy theories?

March 26, 2021

Transcript: Ezra Klein interviews Kristen Soltis Anderson

Survey Reports

Daniel A. Cox
March 4, 2021

Social isolation and community disconnection are not spurring conspiracy theories

New analysis from the January 2021 American Perspectives Survey shows that having an active social life and regular engagement with people in your neighborhood does not inoculate against believing in conspiracies.

Daniel A. Cox
February 11, 2021

After the ballots are counted: Conspiracies, political violence, and American exceptionalism

The January 2021 American Perspectives Survey looks at post-election sentiments, beliefs in conspiracies, attitudes toward political violence, political segregation, and general feelings toward the United States.

Daniel A. Cox
December 15, 2020

Religious diversity and change in American social networks: How our social connections shape religious beliefs and behavior

New analysis explores the degree to which Americans’ religious networks are composed largely of those with similar beliefs and affiliations or those that are more diverse. It also explores how religious diversity among our close personal relationships serves to structure religious behavior and belief.

Daniel A. Cox, Karlyn Bowman
December 9, 2020

A turning point? Americans grapple with COVID-19 amid enduring partisan and racial divisions

The November 2020 APS explores how Americans are grappling with COVID-19 amid soaring numbers of infections, finding that more Americans say they would get a free, FDA-approved vaccine, but large partisan divisions persist. It also challenges the “shy Trump voter” hypothesis, offering possible explanations for Trump’s increased support among non-white voters.