Politics
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Vanderbilt Unity Poll explains why democracy may take center stage in this week’s presidential debate—and the campaign more broadly
With the first presidential debate of 2024 quickly approaching, the American public is expressing widespread concern about the state of democracy and our Constitution. There is also consensus among Americans that free speech is fundamental to democratic governance, according to the most recent Vanderbilt Unity Poll measuring Americans' views of unity and beliefs on government and democracy. Read MoreJun 25, 2024
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Dialogue Vanderbilt marks first academic year in action
In August 2023, the university launched Dialogue Vanderbilt, its core initiative to bridge divides, reestablish a vibrant culture of civil discourse and free expression, and showcase experts from on campus and around the world, leading the charge to build more engaged citizens and communities. Read MoreMay 23, 2024
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The Choice: Meacham and Geer on 2024
The Choice, produced by the Dialogue Vanderbilt, is a four-part podcast focused on the key moments and ramifications of the 2024 presidential election between former president Donald J. Trump and current President Joseph R. Biden. Vanderbilt’s Jon Meacham and John Geer will blend history and political science to offer insights and context about this rematch of the 2020 presidential contest. Read MoreMay 16, 2024
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VPA and history department examine how the New Deal was run
On May 3 and 4, the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator for Political Economy and Regulation and the Vanderbilt University Department of History hosted “How the New Deal Was Run,” a conference about the implementation of the New Deal programs that transformed American life in the 1930s and beyond. Read MoreMay 13, 2024
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Vanderbilt Unity Poll confirms Trump support declining
Americans saw an uptick in unity for the first time in over a year, with widespread agreement that the U.S. political system needs to be more responsive and an overall distrust of social media influencers, according to the most recent Vanderbilt Unity Poll measuring Americans' views of national unity and the democratic process. Read MoreApr 25, 2024
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Israeli ambassador to U.S., former Palestinian Authority prime minister visit Vanderbilt classroom
Former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog joined Professor Brett Benson’s Introduction to International Politics class last week, with Fayyad on Wednesday, March 27, and Herzog on Thursday, March 28. “I think this is the only university in the country that can host Salam Fayyad one day and the Israeli ambassador the next,” Morgan Ortagus, former spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State told students, as she led the conversation with Ambassador Herzog. Read MoreApr 1, 2024
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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