Elections

The number of evening network news stories about the presidential nominating contests has generally declined in recent decades, according to a paper by scholars at George Mason University. The 2008 election — which for a variety of reasons generated massive media attention — stands as an exception to this trend. But whether or not 2008 is a sign of renewed interest by the television networks, or just an anomaly, remains to be seen during the 2012 election cycle, the researchers note.

According to survey data, American women consistently score lower on questions of political knowledge than do men. This difference makes women less likely to vote, run for office or communicate with their elected representatives. However, the root causes and structural barriers that explain this persistent gender gap in political knowledge — typically a 10-point difference in surveys — are not well understood.

In the era of the 24-hour news cycle, cable TV, talk radio and blogs often use sensational and controversial tactics in the fierce battle for audiences. Such widespread incivility in public discourse is seen by some as potentially damaging American democracy — from eroding trust in government to decreasing voter turnout — but research has produced mixed findings.