Rural Nebraskans See Lack of Civility in Politics as Serious Problem

Jordan Rasmussen - Extension Educator - Rural Prosperity Nebraska Author

12/06/2023 Added

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Most rural Nebraskans see the lack of civil discourse in the political system as at least a somewhat serious problem, according to the 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll.

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[00:00:03.481]"Poll: Rural Nebraskans See Lack of Civility in Politics as Serious Problem"
[00:00:08.410]by Becky Vogt, Recorded by Jordan Rasmussen, Rural Prosperity
[00:00:11.910]Nebraska Extension Educator - December 2023
[00:00:15.685]Most rural Nebraskans see the lack of civil discourse in the political system
[00:00:20.079]as at least a somewhat serious problem, according to the 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll.
[00:00:26.202]About two-thirds of rural Nebraskans surveyed rate this lack of respectful
[00:00:29.742]discourse as either a very serious problem or somewhat serious problem.
[00:00:34.573]Only 5% say it is not a serious problem.
[00:00:37.883]This view may result from a perceived division in politics.
[00:00:41.600]Most respondents to the Rural Poll think Americans
[00:00:43.980]are more divided over politics than they were 10 years ago.
[00:00:47.535]Seventy-two percent believe Americans are much more divided,
[00:00:50.775]and 22% say Americans are more divided.
[00:00:54.960]Political division can hinder efforts of leaders and citizens to get things done.
[00:00:59.215]When asked about how well local, state and national leaders
[00:01:02.575]overcome differences to accomplish things,
[00:01:05.222]rural Nebraskans surveyed have the most faith in local community leaders.
[00:01:09.700]Two-thirds believe community leaders do at
[00:01:12.496]least moderately well at overcoming differences.
[00:01:15.481]By comparison, 40% believe the same about Nebraska’s political leaders
[00:01:19.783]and only 9% believe the same about America’s political leaders.
[00:01:24.490]Even beyond their local leadership, most respondents also believe
[00:01:28.956]people in their local community as a whole do at least moderately
[00:01:32.466]well at overcoming differences to get things done.
[00:01:36.116]“Knowing what our communities are experiencing is an important
[00:01:39.112]first step to bring people together again,” said Heather Akin, assistant professor
[00:01:43.152]in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural
[00:01:46.540]Leadership, Education and Communication.
[00:01:50.370]Political differences and civil discourse,
[00:01:52.778]or a lack thereof, are often seen on social media.
[00:01:55.425]Most rural Nebraskans surveyed have a negative opinion about
[00:01:58.792]social media and its impact on civil discourse.
[00:02:02.002]Fifty-five percent disagree that social media channels
[00:02:05.012]are a place for civil and productive discourse.
[00:02:08.497]About 59% agree that social media only reinforces what the user already believes,
[00:02:14.117]while 71% find that social media contributes to division in their community.
[00:02:19.743]Furthermore, nearly half disagree
[00:02:21.963]that social media helps them feel engaged in their community.
[00:02:25.683]“It was surprising to find that rural Nebraskans didn’t
[00:02:28.295]believe that social media helps them feel engaged
[00:02:30.803]in their community,” said Becky Vogt, the poll’s manager.
[00:02:33.492]"Communities use social media to inform their residents of events or updates,
[00:02:38.434]so you would think that would make them feel more involved in the community.
[00:02:41.674]Perhaps the political arguments that may occur there
[00:02:44.205]have turned people off to social media altogether.”
[00:02:48.971]Poll results also showed that, overall, rural
[00:02:51.631]Nebraskans are positive about their communities.
[00:02:54.211]They rate them as friendly, trusting and supportive
[00:02:57.056]and say it would be difficult to leave.
[00:02:59.466]“It’s encouraging that many rural Nebraskans have confidence in
[00:03:02.496]their local officials to overcome differences and feel a sense of
[00:03:05.766]belonging and connection within their communities,” said Akin.
[00:03:09.766]“Building this shared respect can help us find common ground and bridge divides.”
[00:03:14.485]The Rural Poll is the largest annual poll gauging rural Nebraskans’
[00:03:18.195]perceptions about policy and quality of life.
[00:03:21.151]Questionnaires were mailed to more than 6,000 households
[00:03:23.971]in Nebraska earlier this year with 1,100 households -
[00:03:27.437]representing 86 of the state's 93 counties - responding.
[00:03:31.437]More can be found at ruralpoll.unl.edu.
[00:03:35.437]For Nebraska Extension, I am Jordan Rasmussen.

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Rural Nebraskans See Lack of Civility in Politics as Serious Problem

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