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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.
The Rise of Issue Advocacy and Citizens United
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
