How Democrats and Republicans Cite Science
An analysis reveals the stark differences in how Democrats and Republicans use scientific literature in policy documents. It shows that Democratic-led committees and left-leaning think tanks tend to cite research more frequently than their Republican counterparts. The researchers studied a vast database of policy documents from 1995-2021, finding that reports from Democratic officials are almost twice as likely to reference scientific studies. This divergence highlights a significant split in the political landscape regarding the reliance on scientific evidence.
Key Points
- The analysis covered approximately 50,000 policy documents and over 424,000 scientific citations.
- Democratic-led congressional committees cited research about 1.8 times more than Republican-led committees.
- Left-wing think tanks were found to cite scientific literature five times more frequently than right-wing ones.
- There is minimal overlap in the studies referenced by each political side, with only 5-6% of studies cited by both groups.
- This trend highlights a growing reliance on scientific evidence among Democrats compared to Republicans.
Why should I read this?
If you’re curious about the ongoing debates in US politics and how they impact the interpretation of science, this article is an eye-opener. It uncovers how partisans are aligning their narratives with scientific literature—or not. It’s a great way to grasp the broader implications of political decisions that are formed around scientific information (or the lack thereof). We’ve done the reading, so dive in for the insights!