Politics
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Applebaum, Meacham to discuss rise of autocracy in ‘Open Dialogue’ event
Pulitzer Prize–winning author and propaganda expert Anne Applebaum will visit Vanderbilt on March 5 for a discussion of the rise of autocracy in today’s geopolitical climate. Read MoreFeb 16, 2024
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Latest Vanderbilt Unity Index shows the U.S. continuing its trend toward increased political polarization
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy’s latest Vanderbilt Unity Index shows the country continuing its trend toward more polarization, ending 2023 down nearly three points from the start of the year. Read MoreFeb 14, 2024
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New center launches, leading the conversation on the American presidency
The Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Center for the American Presidency has launched, with the goal of exploring the presidency through an innovative, comprehensive lens. Housed within the College of Arts and Science, the center will serve as a nationally recognized hub for innovative scholarship about the workings of the presidency. Read MoreFeb 13, 2024
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“Defending Our Democracy,” Liz Cheney discussed the future of her party and the fate of our country
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney joined Pulitzer Prize–winning author and professor Jon Meacham, co-chair of the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, to speak about the future of U.S. democracy at the inaugural event for the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Center for the American Presidency. Read MoreFeb 12, 2024
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Vanderbilt Unity Poll reveals a Trump conviction could significantly impact centrist voters
Americans overwhelmingly feel that their political systems do not represent them, including compromise on abortion, and they are not confident the American political system accurately reflects their will, according to the latest quarterly Vanderbilt Unity Poll measuring Americans’ unity and beliefs on government and democracy. Read MoreJan 11, 2024
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Political historian Eli Merritt to discuss book on American Revolution’s ‘perilous politics’ Sept. 9
Eli Merritt, research assistant professor of political science, will discuss his new book, Disunion Among Ourselves: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution, at the Vanderbilt Bookstore from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. Co-sponsored by the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries, the event will include a book signing following the discussion. Books will be available for purchase. Read MoreAug 28, 2023
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WATCH: ‘The News Media’s Role on Election Night’ to be hosted by Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy Oct. 19
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy will host a live event to shed light on the mechanics and nuance of network election calls. “The Media’s Role on Election Night” will be on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. in Langford Auditorium and examine how these calls are made and how this unofficial system grew into the role it plays today. Read MoreOct 5, 2022
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Vanderbilt Poll: Nashville headed in the wrong direction
For the first time since the Vanderbilt Poll–Nashville was established in 2015, more than half of respondents say they believe the city is headed in the wrong direction. Davidson County voters are concerned about affordable housing and crime, but give positive marks to Mayor John Cooper and other local leaders. Read MoreApr 28, 2022
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Center for Effective Lawmaking hosts ‘Race and Political Representation: Inside and Outside of Congress’ March 31
Join the Center for Effective Lawmaking for a roundtable discussion touching on questions of race, representation and policymaking in the contemporary Congress. The event will be Thursday, March 31, at 6 p.m. CT at the Student Life Center Commodore Ballroom. Read MoreMar 18, 2022
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Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy hosts bipartisan panel of congressional staffers for insider view on careers
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy hosted a virtual event, “The Hill Staffers Who Make Congress Go Round,” on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 12:30 p.m. CT. Read MoreSep 21, 2021
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Pre-election polls in 2020 had the largest errors in 40 years
Public opinion polls ahead of the 2020 election were the most inaccurate in a generation, according to Josh Clinton, Abby and Jon Winkelried Chair and professor of political science, who recently served as chair of a special task force convened by the American Association for Public Opinion Research specifically to evaluate polling. Read MoreJul 19, 2021
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Vanderbilt Poll: Tennesseans split along party lines on vaccines, 2020 election and ‘cancel culture’
Divisive party politics continue to dominate attitudes among Tennessee residents on key social issues, including the state’s response to COVID-19, willingness to get vaccinated and questions about whether the 2020 presidential election was “stolen,” according to the latest Vanderbilt University poll. Read MoreJun 8, 2021
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Vanderbilt Poll: Approvals slip for Nashville’s elected leaders, public schools; mayor receives high marks for response to challenging issues
Davidson County voters have slightly less confidence in their elected officials and core institutions compared to last year; however, a majority of Nashville residents still think the city is “generally headed in the right direction,” according to the latest Vanderbilt Poll-Nashville. Read MoreApr 15, 2021
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Data Science Institute virtual event April 16 to share data used to predict elections
How do television networks predict election outcomes? The virtual event “A Peek Inside the NBC Decision Desk: Election 2020” scheduled for Friday, April 16, at 2 p.m. CT will provide an overview. Read MoreApr 12, 2021
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Research Snapshot: Media consumption and political attentiveness data shed new light on political polarization in U.S.
Research Snapshot: Eunji Kim finds that politics have become more like sports than ever before: It is easier to watch partisan news when your political party is winning. Est. reading time: 75 seconds. Read MoreApr 8, 2021
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What led to the U.S. Capitol insurrection: Vanderbilt political scientists examine social, psychological, legal foundations of Jan. 6 riot
A panel of Vanderbilt political science faculty explored the factors that led to the Jan. 6 riot in a virtual event, “Dissent, Disorder and Democracy: What Led to the U.S. Capitol Insurrection.” Hosted by the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, the panel also engaged with the event’s serious implications for the strength of the nation's democracy. Read MoreFeb 24, 2021
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Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy debuts with conversation series featuring Gore, Rice, Meacham
Former Vice President Al Gore and the 66th Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice each will provide timely conversations with Vanderbilt’s Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian and biographer, on Thursday, Jan. 14, to support the debut of the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy. Read MoreJan 12, 2021
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Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy aims to heal societal divisions
After months of exploring how higher education could play a meaningful and active role in bridging longstanding partisan fissures, Vanderbilt University today launched the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, which aims to strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions by advancing evidence-based research in the national discourse on unity. Read MoreJan 12, 2021
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Writer Amitav Ghosh discusses conflict and climate change on ‘The Zeppos Report’
Amitav Ghosh, a best-selling author whose work puts Asia at the center of global history, culture and environmental challenges, joins Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos on "The Zeppos Report." Read MoreApr 16, 2018
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Chris Matthews walks through 50 years of politics on ‘The Zeppos Report’
Best-selling author and political commentator Chris Matthews joins Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos for the latest edition of "The Zeppos Report" podcast. Read MoreApr 2, 2018