The Political Psychology of American Democracy Project was established to study attitudes, beliefs, and opinions about U.S. democracy, alongside the social and political psychological factors that either strengthen or fracture our system of governance. The project is being led by the Dean of the Goldman School of Public Policy, David Wilson, and is funded by the Hewlett Foundation. 

Several distinguished faculty from universities across the U.S. are advising this project. Please see the Advisory Board page for more information.

A new report presents preliminary results from this three-wave panel study revealing the political psychology of American Democracy. The report, “Delivering on the Promises of ‘We the People,’” largely finds that the American public sees democracy through an abstract lens with increased distortion about what government does and how it functions, heightened partisan division, and an erosion of the sense of belonging in America; at the same time, the study reveals support for new innovative policy proposals that have potential to strengthen democracy.