Democracy at 250: U-M expert on political fatigue, social media and civic life
July 3, 2026
EXPERT Q&A
As the country approaches its 250th anniversary, questions about democracy, political engagement and what brings Americans together are taking on renewed attention.
University of Michigan communication scholar Yanna Krupnikov, professor in the Department of Communication and Media and faculty associate at ISR’s Center for Political Studies, discusses political fatigue, how social media has changed the way Americans experience democracy, and whether milestones like this unite people—or simply reflect divisions already underway.
People often describe themselves as exhausted by politics. At a moment like this, how can a national milestone invite participation rather than deepen fatigue?
When people say they’re exhausted by politics, they’re often expressing frustration with conflict—not necessarily disengagement from public life. They may also feel frustrated when politics enters spaces or conversations they do not view as political. People disagree, however, about what should—or should not—be political.
Framing the 250th anniversary outside of politics may not increase participation, but it could prevent the moment from becoming another example of political fatigue. News coverage that emphasizes political conflict, however, may bring politics back to the forefront for some people.
How has the way Americans experience democracy changed in the age of social media and nonstop news?
If receiving political information is one way people experience democracy, that experience has become far more varied. People no longer rely only on traditional news outlets—they can immerse themselves in politics through independent creators, specialized content and constant streams of information.
That means people who are deeply engaged are no longer just receiving reports of events. They also have immediate access to interpretations, reactions and commentary, shaping how political events are understood in real time.
Do moments like a 250th anniversary bring people together—or reveal divisions that already exist?
A 250th anniversary is, in many ways, a blank slate. National milestones do not carry meaning on their own—they take meaning from how people choose to frame them. Moments like this can become opportunities to emphasize what we have in common, or they can be used to highlight differences and unresolved tensions. Whether they unite people or expose divisions may depend less on the anniversary itself—and more on what people want the moment to become.
Contact: Jared Wadley