Dan Shea - An Exploration of Civility in American Politics

An Exploration of Civility in American Politics

Daniel M. SheaDirector of the Center for Political ParticipationProfessor of Political ScienceAllegheny College

Living DemocracyDaniel M. Shea, Lead AuthorJoanne C. GreenChris Smith

Session Outline•History of Dirty Talk (In Politics, That is)•Public Perceptions of Civility in American Politics•The Polarization Debate•The Rise of Rights Talk•The Partisan Press: The Rush, Glenn, and Rachel Show•Citizen United the Flood of Outside Money•Cognitive Psychology: Tribalism in American Politics•Cultural Changes: Get the Hell off My Island!•Remedies

How Things Have changed:

History of Dirty Talk (In Politics, That is)

Congressman Joe Wilson

“You lie”

•Racial slurs at African-American members of Congress;•A legislator was spat on as he entered the Capitol to vote; •Outburst on the floor of the House and Senate ;•Commentators unrepentant in their use of incendiary language;•Death threats against legislators;•Bricks thrown through legislative office windows;•A coffin left at the door of a congressperson.

Just Conservative Outrage?•A U.S. Senator called George W. Bush a “liar;” •“I sometimes feel that Alfred E. Neuman is in charge in Washington;”•Sarah Palin threatened;•The violence summer town hall meetings came from opponents and supporters of reform. •The special case of Alan Grayson…

“It’s a mistake not to see something new, something raw and bitter and dangerous, in the particular moment we’re in”

“There probably isn’t a Republican leader who has not in the past few years been menaced, and in exactly the same ways as the Democrats.”

Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal

48%

10%

39%

2%

Figure 7. Perceptions of Civility in Politics

Decline in civility in American politics

Increase in civility in American politics

Civility is about the same

Not Sure

95.4%

2.6%1.9%Figure 4. Is Civility in Politics

Important?

Yes, it is important

No, it is not important

NS

87%

10%4%

Figure 5. Possible to Disagree Respectfully?

It is possible for people to disagree respectfully

Nasty exchanges are unavoidable

NS

71%

84%91% 87% 86%

18-24 25-34 35-54 55-69 70+

* Respondents were asked if it is it is possible for people to disagree respectfully, or are nasty exchanges unavoidable?

Figure 6. Possible to Disagree Respectfully by Age

60%

42%

16% 18%

28%

46%

57%

79%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Most ofthe time

Some ofthe time

Only nowand then

Hardlyat all

How often do you follow what's going on in politics?

Figure 8. Perception of Civility by Paying Attention to Politics

There has been a decline in civility in American politics

There has been an increase in civility in American politics

Civility is about the same

50%47%

37%

57%

34%

44%

57%

35%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Television Internet Newspapers Radio

Which is your main source of news?

Figure 9. Perception of Civility by Source of News

There has been a decline in civility in American politics

There has been an increase in civility in American politics

Civility is about the same

9%

52%

26%

67%

5%

22%19%

41% 43%

Democratic Republican Independent

Respondents' Self-labeled Party ID

Figure 18. Who's to Blame by Respondents' Party ID

Democrats

Republicans

Both about the same

25%

37%

38%

40%

42%

46%

58%

59%

61%

61%

65%

70%

Rachel MaddowColleges and universities

Late night talk show programs, like Stewart and LenoGlenn Beck

BlogsThe way young people act in politics

Sense of entitlement among average citizensChanges in American culture

Radio talk showsTelevision news programs

Competitiveness of electionsPolitical parties

Figure 21. Who or What Has Pushed Politics To Become Less Civil?

45%

49%

6%

Figure 24. Which isMore Important?

The ability to compromise

The willingness to stand firm

Other/Not Sure

55%59%

52%

34%

17%

50%

40%36%

43%

60%

72%

50%

Progressive Liberal Moderate Conservative Very Conservative

Libertarian

Self-labeled Ideology

Figure 25. Compromise or Stand Firm by Ideology

The ability to compromise

The willingness to stand firm

Next Steps for My Research•Civility and the 2010 Election:

• 1st wave September 1 – 3• 2nd wave October 30- November 2

•Profiles in Civility Project

•Deeper Understanding of Causes

•New Book Project

The Reawakening of the Political Spirit: The Polarization Debate

Morris Fiorina's Perspective: Sorting

Period Democrats Independents

Republicans

Period 1 60 liberals, 100 moderates 40 liberals

40 conservatives

60 conservatives

Period 2 80 liberals 100 moderates 20 liberals

20 conservatives

80 conservatives

Alan Abramowitz's Perspective: More Generalized Polarization

The Rise of Rights Talk

The Reemergence of the Partisan Press

Sean Hannity

Click image for link.

Rachel Maddow

Click image for link.

The Rise of Issue Advocacy and Citizens United

Click image for link.

Cognitive Psychology: Tribalism in American Politics

Some people have alleged that Barack Obama sympathizes with the goals of Islamic fundamentalists who want toimpose Islamic law around the world. From what you know about Obama, what is your opinion of theseallegations? Do you think they are…

7%

24%

36%

25%

8%Definitely True

Probably True

Probably Not True

Definitely Not True

Don't Know

Cultural Changes: Get the Hell off My Island!"If you would be singing like this two thousand years ago, people would have stoned you.“

"Shave off your beard and wear a dress. You would be a great female impersonator."

Simon Cowell on American Idol

Remedies

8%

13%

24%

24%

28%

31%

32.1%

32.4%

Community organizations

Churches

News media

Families

Colleges and universities

Elected officials

Political parties

Local schools

Figure 38. Who Should Lead The Way To More Civil Politics?

77%

19%

3%

Figure 37. Should Schools Teach Respect In Politics?

Yes

No

Not Sure