Why are there fewer murders in democracies?
You are less likely to be murdered in a democracy than in an undemocratic country, but the reason is not democracy itself. Quite the opposite.
Sociology and Political Science
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Equal distribution of wealth is bad for the climate
The climate benefits if only a few people have a lot of power and money. So, should the rest of us be held back because of this fact?
Volunteers should not become friends with patients
Volunteers are increasingly providing care when family and public services cannot provide enough. But how close should the helper and the person being helped become?
Increase in media coverage of crises, but not in the number of crises
It might seem like the world is being bombarded by one crisis after another. But what’s really happening is an increase in media coverage.
Will wokeness derail the Democrats?
The presidential race appears to be a dead heat ahead of the United States election on 5 November, but wokeness is ‘an unexploded bomb’.
Building peace
“Put very simply, conflicts end in one of three different ways,” says peace researcher Karin Dyrstad.
Uncovering the secrets of Norway’s largest lake
Engineers and biologists are standing shoulder to shoulder with philosophers, social scientists and historians to safeguard Norway’s largest lake for future generations.
Is the American Empire collapsing?
The United States remains a global power unparalleled in history. So what would it take for this situation to change? Four possible developments or events seem to be plausible candidates.
Learning for Life: The higher the level of education, the lower the risk of dying
Education saves lives regardless of age, sex, location, and social and demographic backgrounds.
Is it possible to be a mum and world champion at the same time?
Elite sports women who want to have children face a number of dilemmas: how will motherhood affect their performance and body? Finances? Family life? Researchers have taken a closer look.
Podcasts and compulsory attendance improved student learning
Lectures continue to dominate university teaching, but especially when it comes to big introductory courses, more group work and alternative assignments, such as making podcasts, can have a positive effect.
Helping women reach top management posts in sport
Women continue to be underrepresented in senior positions in international sport organizations. New findings reveal more about the reasons why and offer advice on what to do about it.
What happens when so many voters cast advance ballots in elections?
More people are taking advantage of early voting than before. But the impact on the elections is not exactly what politicians had hoped for.
What happens when artificial intelligence is used in public administration?
Data-driven public administration changes the public sector in a fundamental way. But what does this mean for you as a citizen?
More positive outcomes when elderly are treated locally
Municipalities were given more responsibility for specialist health services in 2012. The changes appear to have resulted in better healthcare for the elderly.
Who has died from COVID-19?
At least six million people have died from COVID-19 to date. But who dies is often not random. The same pattern is found around the world.
Rare for women’s rights to be so front and centre in Iran
Women often participate in non-violent demonstrations, and they can be of crucial importance. But what is now happening in Iran stands out from other popular uprisings.
Pressured coaches try to get sports psychologists to gossip
Big football clubs in the UK often have their own sports psychologists for the players. But can the players trust that their confidential conversations won’t be shared with management?
Biggest struggles for rising football stars
The transition from junior to senior football is a big one. Researchers have identified some of the biggest stressors for athletes who want to continue playing football at the elite level.
Not all social media fuel conspiracy theories in the same way
Conspiracy theories spread quickly early on in the pandemic, and social media received a lot of the blame. But not all social media are the same.
And behind it all looms the threat of nuclear weapons
Ukraine is certainly putting pressure on Russia in the war. How can this be? And is this good news against an authoritarian regime with atomic weapons?
How terrorism affects our attitudes
Some types of terrorist acts affect people much more than others. Islamist violence apparently produces the strongest counter-reactions.
What’s the best way to combine sports and school?
What challenges do teens face when they prioritize both their education and elite sports? Researchers have interviewed athletes who juggle both.
Patients like public health services best
Many countries have introduced market competition and privatization in their health care systems in recent years. But the most satisfied patients can be found in countries where a large part of the system is handled by the public sector.