Menu Close

Articles on Politicians

Displaying 1 - 20 of 59 articles

Donald Trump, left, and Joe Biden, both photographed on Nov. 2, 2023, are two of the three oldest men ever to serve as president. Trump: Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Biden: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Why are US politicians so old? And why do they want to stay in office?

Many years beyond the average American retirement age, politicians vie for power and influence. Their constituents tend to prefer they step back and pass the torch to younger people.
President Joe Biden eats an ice cream cone at a Baskin-Robbins in Portland, Ore., in October 2022. Carolyn Kaster/AP

The president loves ice cream, and a senator has a new girlfriend – these personal details may seem trivial, but can help reduce political polarization

When politicians talk more about their personal lives and less about politics, it makes people from the opposing side of the political line see them as people and like them more.
Mitch McConnell, Diane Feinstein and Joe Biden are all over 80 years old, joining a number of politicians who are staying in office well past their 70s. Anna Moneymaker/Chip Somodevilla/Samuel Corum/Getty Images

There’s no age limit for politicians − as people live longer, should that change?

While there are minimum age requirements for people who want to hold political office in the US, there are no limits on when someone must retire.
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in October 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Women in politics: To run or not to run?

Research suggests that women may be underrepresented in politics because parties act as gatekeepers and tend to choose men over women as candidates.
When politicians swear we might think they’re simply overcome with emotion. But there’s often more going on behind the language they use. (Shutterstock)

Politicians dropping the F-bomb: There’s more to it than you might think

Politicians dropping the f-bomb tend to be seen as acting out of emotion, but the way we use taboo language is often about what we can accomplish by violating rules.
Joe Biden is the oldest person to be sworn in as US president. New research shows politicians are likely to live longer than the populations they represent. BiksuTong / Shutterstock

Politicians live longer than the populations they represent: new research

The public expects transparency about politicians’ earnings, but it’s not the only area where elite groups have an advantage.
Capturing the public’s attention is about standing out in a crowd of influencers. Peshkova | Shutterstock

Why we still fall for influencers, salesmen and politicians who lie

Social influencers vie for public attention in a crowded market place. This makes the bold and the ruthless even more likely to opt for strategic dishonesty if it will further their interests.

Top contributors

More