J. Cherie Strachan

Forget the Good of the Game Political Incivility and Lack of Compromise as a Second Layer of Party Polarization

The growing literature on American party polarization has focused on growing differences in partisan vote outcomes, political values, and policy position. We argue that a second layer of party polarization has developed that goes far beyond simply issue and ideological differences. A growing unwillingness to want politicians to compromise with the other side and a determination to blame growing political incivility solely on the other party characterizes this additional division. This second layer is important to gauge because an electorate with a significant portion of voters deeply separated on policy questions but open to compromise is appreciably different from an electorate deeply divided on policy and unwilling to budge based on policy and emotion. Our findings show that a solid percentage of the electorate holds strong partisan preferences and wants their party leaders to stand firm on principle rather than compromise with the other side. Furthermore, this strong partisan mood is not simply driven by the particular conditions of the 2010 midterm election, such as the Tea Party or in particular regions. Rather, this stark divisive partisan atmosphere existed generally and was not concentrated in electorally competitive areas.

E-government and Citizen Engagement: An Overview of US States' Government Websites

This analysis examined whether state governments in the United States use e-government to enhance citizen engagement. By assessing the availability and usability of online information about government, voting, budgetary matters, and governmental meetings, we determined the effectiveness of state governmental websites in educating and engaging citizens. Overall, we discovered that most state governments do an inferior job of enhancing citizen engagement through websites.

Editor’s Report for the Journal of Political Science Education

Victor Asal, University at Albany, Editor-in-Chief Mitchell Brown, Auburn University, Coeditor Mark L. Johnson, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Coeditor Shane Nordyke, University of South Dakota, Coeditor Joseph W. Roberts, Roger Williams University, Coeditor J. Cherie Strachan, Central Michigan University , Coeditor Mirren Galway, University at Albany, State University of New York, Managing Editor Jessica Van Saders, University at Albany, State University of New York, Managing Editor Margaret Bidwell, Roger Williams University, Editorial Assistant

On why public servants must cultivate their own watchdogs

Purpose – The article seeks to argue for an engaged civil service to foster a vibrant citizenry, essential in and of itself to sustain democracy especially during a time of turmoil.Design/methodology/approach – The article is based on an extensive review of the literature.Findings – Using the US as an example, the author argues that citizens have traditionally engaged in public life when political elites developed the infrastructure required for mass participation. Political elites no longer have an incentive to do so, as they can now pursue their agenda more efficiently through other means. The resulting decline in opportunities for social learning, however, highlights the importance of reinvigorating civil society to one remaining category of political elite – public servants.Originality/value – A critical review, the article reaffirms the negative consequences of declining civil society at a time when increasingly complex public problems, such as those posed by the global financial and economic crisis,...