August 24, 2016

Election 2016

Stanford scholars offer insight and perspectives on Election 2016 through the Wide Angle project and stories about their research on a wide variety of political and democratic issues.

Stanford scholars bring imaginative, new approaches to solving issues that our society faces. During the 2016 election, this collective knowledge offers insight for voters. These elections are breaking new ground on several fronts, from the voting experience to primary systems and democratic law. With this page, Stanford features content from Wide Angle, a classroom project that offers scholarly, nonpartisan perspectives on the forces shaping the election as well as stories on election-related research and scholarship. This site offers expertise and analysis only, and is not intended to support or endorse any political candidate or cause.

Wide Angle: Election 2016 will tap Stanford experts for scholarly analysis and insights on the forces shaping the election and the challenges ahead.

Social Sciences

Stanford expert asks: Do we trust the government?

Political science Professor Margaret Levi says surveys show less trust in government today than decades ago, yet Americans behave in ways that indicate a fairly high level of confidence in their leaders and institutions.

View Q&A with Margaret Levi (PDF)

Law & Policy

Stanford law professor unpacks political polarization

Law Professor Nate Persily examines how polarization is affecting politics — from gridlock caused by elected officials’ refusal to compromise, to public incivility and decreasing respect for democratic institutions.

View Q&A with Nate Persily (PDF)