Political Partisanship and Confidence in Science and Religion in the United States, 1973-2016

• In Event: 2453 - Science Studies: Constitution and Organization of Academic Disciplines

Abstract

This article uses data from the General Social Survey to examine trends in public confidence in science and religion between 1973 and 2016. We find that overall declines in trust in science and religion mask growing political divides in each. While Republicans were once more confident than Democrats in science, the opposite is now true. This reversal came entirely from a loss of trust in science among Republicans. In contrast, although members of both parties lost confidence in religion, the decline was much more pronounced among Democrats than Republicans. These findings illustrate how the politicization of science and religion have reshaped public perceptions of these institutions in recent decades. Findings also suggest that these changes in public opinion are a result of interrelated yet distinctive historical and political processes.

Authors

• Timothy L. O'Brien, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• Shiri Noy, University of Wyoming